Retrospective

One of the most important aspects that I will be taking with me from my studies is the enormous value of reflective practice. A retrospective is perhaps a little different as it is only looking back, while reflective practice looks to the past, present, and future. So looking back over the MA course so far:

What led me to enrol on the MA in UX Design?

I’m self-taught in web development and design, following this path I have found it to be quite isolating, it's like I'm in a little bubble! I feel I need to expand more, to become better, to learn from others, to be able to confidently discern what is “good” and what isn’t, to be able to reflect better on my work.

Creativity & Ideation

I've enjoyed considering the nature of creativity and exploring different methods of ideation. I have experimented with brainstorming, created mind-maps, opposite thinking, collage and mash-up. One of the teachings that stays with me is the need to balance creativity with analysis. Not all ideas are good ideas, some kind of analysis is required. Specifically creative ideas require real world application, i.e. monetisation and commercialisation, these absolutely need to be regarded as part of the creative process.

Engaging With Peers

I have really appreciated being part of a cohort, having the opportunity to interact and reflect with my fellow students. Reading their CRJ's, forum comments, and participating in webinars has been invaluable.

Staying On The Bus

For the first Rapid Ideation session (RI-1) I was most happy about "staying on the bus"! This metaphor is taken from the "Helsinki Bus Theory". The principle basically is to stick with things, to see them through. Often I have the impulse to change direction, to become bored and dislike what I am doing. Following this impulse can result in exiting a process prematurely. In RI-1 I had put in quite a lot of effort in following my paper prototype idea, however a couple of days before completing it I started to feel uncomfortable with what I was doing. I was doubting that I had chosen the correct avenue to explore. After some anxious moments I decided that I would carry on, I would see it through to the end, I would stay on the bus! This was a good decision to persevere in spite of perceived difficulties, in the end I learnt a lot from the exercise, submitting an artefact in time!

Goals

Week 5 introduced the creation of SMART goals. During this week I watched a few YouTube videos about goals in general. This struck me quite deeply, that in my life I have not set clear goals for myself. Part of the reason for this I think is that I had children quite young and so was launched into providing for my little family with little time to think of anything else. Perhaps this is a bit of an excuse!?! Whatever the case however, this is one of the major takeaways for me, I will from now on be setting clear and precise goals for myself. And why not "reach for the stars"!

Thank You

The "attitude of gratitude", yes, it is important to reflect on those people around me who provide amazing support, from family and friends to my cohort peers and supervisors, thank you!