(Week 8) Blog Four Checkpoint

Natt Pano
Sep 21, 2024
7 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago

{Side note: Still sick, but we're slaying😌💅🏻 I don't know how this sem is nearly over😭 Anyway, I hope you're having an amazing and blessed day :)). Update: 22nd September, I'm finally feeling better. 95%🙏.}

Context and current process:

A quick recap: I am designing a capstone project within 12 weeks, which I will document in my blogs and show my progress on Miro. For this week's progress, I am still working on my ideation phase (the VR space creation), which I need to get a crack on and get to the prototyping phase😭. Anyway, I have sketched some logo designs and got feedback. I might consider drawing more after finalising the project name because, at the moment, I don't feel like I'm making progress without it😀. I have also designed a couple more concept layouts for my VR environment and have begun designing the developed versions. However, I will continue doing more, as I feel I can do better than I currently have. I have updated the composition of my Miro board (made it neater😌). Honestly, doing that made me feel better. I feel like a burden is off my shoulders.

Also, the project idea is finally developed and finalised (I spoke to the fablab expert🙏🏻).

As for proceeding with the project, I will make sure to follow the feedback provided, create new designs, and continue following the three primary goals (mental health, environment comfort, and enhanced interactions) while also maintaining that connection with the research question, "How might we support New Zealand's international university students' mental health, improving their interactions with domestic students by creating a comfortable environment in a Virtual Reality space?".

For this coming week's process, week 9, I will aim to finalise the final project name and then continue with new concept logo ideas. Subsequently, I will draw development sketches for the logo designs. I hope to finish the logo this week🥹. In addition, I will hopefully begin the Challenge cards, for which I will use the logo (maybe). It's just my thought process for now.

(P.S. The poster is due soon (sorry for the language, but fuck😭). I am considering using both challenge cards and a logo on the poster. Not sure yet. Also, please don't have high hopes for the amount of work I do this week. I listed what I would do. However, I am scared to jinx my process, so I will do what I can).

Chosen Model:

I will continue to incorporate the 'What? So What? Now What?' model in this blog. I have grown a connection with it😭. On a real note, I want to improve how I use this model within my reflective writing and the feedback given in the previous blog.

[Figure 1: Rolfe et al., (2001) reflective model What? So what? Now what?]

What?

To begin, here are my presentation screenshots to help the reader understand the finalised project idea (the software has changed. I will need to finalise that aspect within this week). The slides include the developed versions of the VR environment concept sketches. I will also include the development sketches from my Miro board :).

[Figure 1: Slides PG1. Canva.]

[Figure 2: Slides PG2. Canva.]

[Figure 3: Development VR Space Sketches. My Miro.]

Figures 2 and 3 convey some of my drawing for this week's progress. I will continue getting feedback from the participants and other individuals to ensure my project is straightforward to those introduced to my project for the first time. I also will continue including development drawings and further iterate the most liked developments. Therefore, I can discover the most appropriate design for the prototyping making process and the final sem presentation.

This part has gone somewhat smoothly, considering it's the design aspect I'm most skilled in. I mean, I am a design student, so😌💅🏻. I need to remain humble, though. In case something suddenly occurs😃 (God keep it far away🙏🏻).

[17th September] Can I get an amen for actually doing work today🙏🏻. I’m still dying physically and mentally. However, I have finally decided on my final idea (updated). Whoop whoop🎉😭 those are happy tears. I have also begun designing my logo. Lowkey is my favourite part😌. Literally 👩🏻‍🍳🤌🏻. I love designing logos and doing tasks similar to that. I find my best skills shine in those categories. Also, that fact I can draw so😃🤷🏻‍♀️.

[Figure 4: Logo sketches. My Miro.]

Regarding my technology prototype, I progressed in my VR environment drawings. However, I realised how difficult it is to decide on the one to create digitally. Like, I have multiple ideas😭. It's a slay💅🏻, but not😀. However, it's either I don't have the skills to implement the ideas into VR or the people I'm seeking feedback from have different opinions😃. I'm indecisive and overthink often, so it's not helping🥹. ✋🏻———————-🤚🏻 that much ;-;.

{Images of VR space sketches are above in figures 1 and 2.}

So, I have tried combining the most liked ideas, but now I'm stuck with choosing between those developed ideas. Do you see my problem?😭 it shouldn't be this difficult, for real.

I have also changed the approach to creating a VR environment. Boy, let me tell you, I don't know how I'm going to do that part of my prototype😭 like I'm just working with the advice the Fablab expert gave me and the lack of skills I have in VR designing😃💅🏻.

[18th-19th September] I am going off-topic for this daily update. However, what made me think and feel guilty was how I reacted to rescheduling the presentation. As you have probably felt the energy through my writing, I was annoyed and upset because I felt sick, tired, and disliked the travelling distance. I realised my unacceptable behaviour and should have considered a calmer and nicer approach. I was nice in front of the class, but I complained to my friends afterwards. I'm saying this because experiencing an emotion isn't a feeling but a choice. I was complaining about something in the past, which was a simple mistake. I realised that was wrong with me. I came to that realisation after watching a Christian TikTok. I won't go too much into the Christian aspect of the story in case you have different beliefs (gotta stay respectful💯). However, if you want to see the video yourself, it's at the end of the blog (mainly 4:50 minutes in the video) :)) It's up to you. I had to get that off my chest😭.

Back to my work progress, I haven’t done much work today. However, I had the strength to update my miro board, presentation slides, and script. After finalising my idea, everything else will gradually come into its place. I genuinely love that feeling.

As for the report, to be frank, I don't want to think about that🥹. I'm in a positive mood, so I really don't want to ruin that. I'm kind of terrified to look at the report. I remember the trauma and mental pain I went through to just complete it in DES300. The hardcore mental blockage was never like before. I'm not even kidding; I feel like I had no control over my brain, as if it gave up on me. I actually felt lost and scared. I hated it🥺😞.

So what?

I should have considered that I was trying to rush the final results of the ideating process components. I should have taken a step back and tried gathering my thoughts when making decisions to make it more straightforward and less stressful.

I need to not stress myself out with other opinions. It's my final project, so I should go with what I feel comfortable with but still be considerate of what others say. However, find a way to avoid going overboard.
I need to be more patient with myself. Not understanding something new is normal. I just need to learn what I can in the limited time and do my best with what I have learnt.
I should've been calmer during the difficult moments. I must practice responding positively to situations that don't meet my expectations. In my experience, I need to step back and think, "Would my actions be worth the consequences after?". Mentally laying out how I could react to the situation would allow me to remain composed and help myself and the person in front of me. Reflecting creates time to calm down.

Now what?

The most essential solution to the challenges above is to have faith. It will get difficult and messy. However, I have someone (god) to help me with my emotions and support me. It’s been helping a lot mentally and spiritually. P.S. This is what helps motivate me. Everyone has their own beliefs or such to help them persevere💯.
In terms of feedback, I can consider asking a small group of people, specifically one member from the target audience and an expert’s opinion. Doing this will reduce the pressure of trying to meet everyone’s expectations and ignoring my own. I need to prioritise my thoughts first.

I can take some breaks to ideate the VR space and logo designs. Being in the "idea development" mindset when trying to finalise an idea won't work. It creates unnecessary anxiety and might get me off track. Therefore, stepping back and observing the work I have will help me make the right choice.
To improve my lack of knowledge with unreal VR software, I can consider tutorials and expert help when lost. Knowing I have constant help available when I need it is incredibly reassuring. We love that😌. Those things can hopefully reduce future stress and anxiety (big time🥹).

Be kinder to people. Everyone makes mistakes, including me. I just need to be more patient and step back if my emotions overwhelm me. Acting on my feelings won't do good for anyone🫡💯. Remember that emotions are not feelings but choices.

Miro Progress:

[Figure 5: Overview. My Miro.]

[Figure 6: Close-up. My Miro.]

Here are some videos to help you through your semester. It is getting busy now🥹. Also, the Christian video if you want to watch it (you don't need to).

Credit: Kiwi (deceased😢) Dexter (7) Coco (7). Instagram.

Credit: MentalityFlowTM. Instagram.

[This was posted on my birthday🥺.]

Credit: Just.Myles. TikTok.

[Christian video: The part I reflected on is at 4:50 - 5:20.]

References:

Borton, T. (1970). Reach Touch and Teach: Student Concerns and Process Education. McGraw-Hill, New York.

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Reach%2C-touch%2C-and-teach-Borton/c09699129c9c832e6ab4ade9aeb0709fecd8f5a4

Ddocs. (2024 April 10). Grammarly (8.912.0 version) [Large language model].

https://app.grammarly.com/ddocs/2555904278

Driscoll, J. (1994). Reflective practice for practise. Senior Nurse, 13, 47 -50.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8303152/