Week 2, session 1

We all brought in our A3 examples for ihi/wehi and on-topic issue. The first thing we did this morning was pin them up and analyse them as a large group. We started with the ihi/wehi examples and there were a few that definitely stirred something within me.

This one particularly connected with me. The use of the very familiar google search box, and it's placement suggesting that women don't have a voice, the close cropped image, everything about it I resonated with. In my physical workbook are the examples that I looked at and analysed individually.

After this we spoke specifically around our topical posters. It was really interesting to see the divide within the group. It became apparent that the majority of the class is examining the flag change - in one stance or the other. I had been thinking of looking into the schooling debate anyway so this helped me solidify that it would probably be the better option.

We then got into quite a fun exercise called Random Input.

It started with Phoebe and Jacquie running us through an example of symbols and their individual meaning and then what they mean when put together. So they displayed a zig zag on many angles and we were all asked to blurt out whatever associations came to mind. They then did this with a rook, and then with a crown. Then they showed us a symbol where the rook and the crack were combined and we discussed how it's meaning had changed. And then they introduced the crown above it and how the meaning changed again. Then they introduced text (slogan) and then colour and it was a really interesting process. The task they set us was a lot harder.

The first one was about symbols. So we picked a number between 1-99 and were allocated a symbol.

I was given a Skull. We then had to write down all the associations there are with this symbol. We then had to thumbnail some ideas embracing our symbol or its associations but related to our topic. So for me I was combining skull and pro public schooling which was interesting and frankly, quite difficult. 

As if that wasn't hard enough, we then completed the same exercise but this time with metaphor. So again, picking between 1-50. I was given "a double-edged-sword". So I looked up the meaning and tried to write down some associations. And that was then followed by more thumbnailing. Really difficult but kinda interesting too.

Homework:

10 thumbnails on your chosen topic

2 drawn up to a5 size ready to discuss in class tomorrow.