Art 220: Entry 6

On Tuesday, our Professor wrote the word "mapping" on the board and asked us to describe what it was. Some people mentioned geography and another student replied "statistics." When asked to elaborate, the student gave a vague description and Jimmy misunderstood and gave an alternate description. They both realized they were discussing different things but Jimmy was delighted nonetheless. As we learned last week, it is great to brainstorm in group settings because ideas that may have never been are born.

Jimmy wanted us to contemplate the meaning of mapping, because the rest of the class session focused on process mapping. He gave us an example of a process map that involved the design process. The map was taken from the book A Designer's Research Manual by Jennifer and Kenneth Visocky O'Grady. After initial research, designers come up with many ideas and then refine their ideas into a limited number of prototypes. These prototypes are then produced and finally assessed. When presenting to a client, Jimmy mentioned that 3 is the ideal number of ideas that should be presented. Three is psychologically a good number and it is balanced. Two is too few and four make others think you are incapable of narrowing down your options. Simply having three ideas is not the only factor. The ideas should be on equal footing, and you must be prepared both to give a recommendation and to have your ideas rejected.

I enjoyed the discussion of presenting ideas. In previous art courses, professors would have students come up with three ideas in the interim. I never took into consideration why it would usually and specifically be three ideas. The number three, simply seemed like a good number. As mentioned in the discussion, it provides a balance. It is not a large number but it does have a certain stability. In art classes, we are usually critiqued and customarily, we revise our ideas based on the advice of professors and peers. As creative individuals going into media-related jobs, it is important to be able to work with clients. We need to be able to visually communicate their needs. If they do not love our favorite idea, we need to be willing to accept that and either revise or provide other ideas.




descriptor collection

pejorative: insulting or derogatory
virtuosic: mastering or having great skill in the arts
luminous: bright and reflective (as in light). Easily understandable. Can also mean inspiring