Attributes

The following are five positive characteristics that describe my contribution in a group setting:
1. Co-operative
2. Analytical
3. Hard-working
4. Creative
5. Intelligent

The following are negative characteristics that sometimes apply to me in a group setting:
1. Unmotivated
2. Rigid
3. Aloof
4. Disorganized
5. Defensive

Influence

My family is the greatest influence in my life. As the youngest child of three, I not only had two hard-working parents to look up to, but two hard-working older brothers, as well. Though my parents have not always understood my decision to study design over a more academic field, they have always remained supportive and enthusiastic. They only ever expected me to try my best and to be a good person. My parents taught me the importance of dedication and integrity, goals and perseverance. Their belief in me, even though they're genetically programmed to have it, helps when it comes to believing in myself. My brothers have always tried to set good examples for me by being responsible, compassionate people.

"What a mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin." -Henry Ward Beecher

There have also been significant teachers over the years that have left an impact on me, moved me and opened my mind to new ways of thinking. Everyone in my life has influenced me in some way, however large or small the influence may be and whether they know it or not. I think everybody can teach you something and knowledge can never be useless.

I also find many of my influences come from things, rather than people- books, poetry, music, art & design, movies, styles, etc.

Words I Live By

Imagine success
If you're going to dream, dream big. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't or won't or shouldn't. Picture the you that you want to become. Envision the world that you wish to live in. Talent and drive will get you nowhere if you have not mentally rehearsed your success.

Persist
Think about what you want out of this life- give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it. Do not allow anything to hinder you.

Recognize your potential
There is stunning clarity in realizing the vastness of your potential. Every individual has the potential to manifest brilliance; to make a mark that is anything but disputable on the world.

Be your own best friend
Wherever life brings you, you will have the comfort and company of the person you know best. Get to know yourself; becoming certain of who you are only makes you stronger.

Read
Reading makes you smart. I'm not joking. Not only will you gain a vocabulary, you will open your imagination to a place where things are infinitely possible. "If you believe what you read in literature, you can…believe anything."

Change is not a choice
It is inevitable.

Tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is always a new beginning. It is a fresh start, another chance. New mornings, new ideas, another sunrise.

Think
Isn't the point of an education to learn to think for yourself? Do not believe everything you see, do not listen to everything you hear. Form your own ideas and your own opinions. Use the organ between your ears to decide things for yourself. "Rule your mind or it will rule you."

Be courageous
Courage=freedom. If you are courageous, brave enough to believe completely in yourself, nothing can break you. And you will find yourself free to be you and to do you however you choose.

Living for the moment might be the meaning of life
Every day that you take for granted, you are losing something you can never get back. Who knows what that day could have given you? Who knows what you could have given that day?

20 Words

Below is a list of words relative to my theory on design:

Communication
Creativity
Process
Exploration
Strategy
Criticality
Imagination
Experience
Inspiration
Possibility
Problem-solving
Culture
Evaluation
Discovery
Questioning
Function
Media
Objective
Concept
Impact
Solution

Design is (revisited)

In order for design to have an effect on its audience, an informed individual with a powerful imagination is essential. A foundation in critical thinking is also necessary, as ideas are generated by creativity but evaluated by criticality. Because while it is an emotional instinct that tells you you like or dislike something, it is an intellectual ability to determine what is strong and what is weak, why something works or does not work. I believe the time spent thinking about what is being created is just as, if not more important, than the act of creating itself.

The combination of the creative and critical thinking that is imperative to designing leads to my statement on design, reflecting both my personal style and personal interpretation of design itself:

Design comes from the creativity of a critical mind.

Design is what?

Design is a process and practice that requires creative, yet critical thinking to effectively communicate a desired message.



The simplest questions are the hardest to answer.

Media Consumption

The following is a breakdown of my media and technology usage in an average school week. This evaluation required me to observe and record my reliance on technology and the heavy influence of the media in my personal and professional life.


READING
books: 5 hours
news: 3 hours (approx. 30 minutes daily)
magazines: 4 hours

LISTENING TO
net radio: 0 hours
traditional radio: 7 hours
iTunes: 25 hours
CD: 2 hours

WATCHING
television: 8 hours
movies: 4 hours

SENDING
text messages: 100+
e-mails: 7
calls: 3 hours

RECEIVING
text messages: 100+
e-mails: 6

INTERNET FOR
social media (msn, facebook): 15 hours
surfing: 12 hours

PLAYING
video games (system): 0 hours
online/computer games: 0 hours


Both technology and the media are very apparent in my everyday life, as the majority of the time analysed was spent using the computer and cellphone. I'm not surprised by my findings, as I love technology and know it's something I am accustomed to living with.