Yesterday, when working on a conceptually difficult assignment in an early class, a student said: “But, I’m confused!”…
We paused, reflected on that statement and I replied:
"The things about that, is that there are two ways that can be interpreted: (1) 'I’m confused as to what to do' or (2) 'I’m confused as to what I’m going to do next.’…"
The student had a knowing look cross his face and nodded... I followed: "I suspect it’s #2. Here’s why:
• You’ve been given a very detailed project brief with broken out process steps
• You have been shown detailed examples along the way of both successful and unsuccessful solutions
• Your problem has already been 'kickstarted' on the project brief
• You have extensive out of class support through workshops
• You have an extended e-network of out of class support
• You’re surrounded by 14 other examples of the same problem — each with successes and failures to learn from
So... there’s no confusion as to what you should be doing, right? The real question is: How are you going to solve the problem – and what are you going to do next? The first step is to try… and to make mistakes. Learn from those mistakes and make some more. Maybe make mistakes until something works and figure out why it works. But you’re going to have to take action.”
Design is an active profession. Clients look to us not only to actively solve problems, but to find new problems and to re-define what problems (and solutions) are. This takes productive effort… not just “effort”, but productive effort… effort that gets you results.
I know: It’s very easy to throw up your hands and play the “I’m confused” card… but here’s the thing: you have to figure it out. That’s your job. That’s the assignment. You’re seeking an advanced degree and that is going to take some advanced effort, advanced thinking and advanced initiative. Do you have it? If not, get it because you’ll need it… and not just for this class or for this major, but for this profession.
Do you think your client is going to tell you exactly how to solve the problem and where to look for answers? Do you think your boss will stand over your shoulder to correct you every step of the way? Of course not… and in your early classes — contrary to how you’re feeling right now — you’re given a LOT of guidance and a LOT of support that you’ll not have in advanced classes and you’ll never have in the professional world… are you using that support?
• Are you going to the study groups?
• Are you really reading the assignment and synthesizing it?
• Have you read all of the input on the Yahoo group and applied it to your own project?
• Have you critically looked at the examples you’ve been provided? (and have you looked for examples out in the real world of similar things?)
• Have you been to the workshops and made the best use of time during critique
• Heck… did you even do the minimum work for the assignment (i.e.: following directions)!?!?
A student said during the same class: “I don’t want you to be mad at me”…
“I’m not going to get mad at you," I said. "Oddly, you'll find that we care for you. We care about your future. Instead, when you miss out on opportunities, I will be sad for you. Sad that you didn’t use your time well and that you didn’t get out of the critique what you needed. Sad that you didn’t take advantage of the opportunities when you needed to… but I won’t get mad.”
• You have been shown detailed examples along the way of both successful and unsuccessful solutions
• Your problem has already been 'kickstarted' on the project brief
• You have extensive out of class support through workshops
• You have an extended e-network of out of class support
• You’re surrounded by 14 other examples of the same problem — each with successes and failures to learn from
So... there’s no confusion as to what you should be doing, right? The real question is: How are you going to solve the problem – and what are you going to do next? The first step is to try… and to make mistakes. Learn from those mistakes and make some more. Maybe make mistakes until something works and figure out why it works. But you’re going to have to take action.”
Design is an active profession. Clients look to us not only to actively solve problems, but to find new problems and to re-define what problems (and solutions) are. This takes productive effort… not just “effort”, but productive effort… effort that gets you results.
I know: It’s very easy to throw up your hands and play the “I’m confused” card… but here’s the thing: you have to figure it out. That’s your job. That’s the assignment. You’re seeking an advanced degree and that is going to take some advanced effort, advanced thinking and advanced initiative. Do you have it? If not, get it because you’ll need it… and not just for this class or for this major, but for this profession.
Do you think your client is going to tell you exactly how to solve the problem and where to look for answers? Do you think your boss will stand over your shoulder to correct you every step of the way? Of course not… and in your early classes — contrary to how you’re feeling right now — you’re given a LOT of guidance and a LOT of support that you’ll not have in advanced classes and you’ll never have in the professional world… are you using that support?
• Are you going to the study groups?
• Are you really reading the assignment and synthesizing it?
• Have you read all of the input on the Yahoo group and applied it to your own project?
• Have you critically looked at the examples you’ve been provided? (and have you looked for examples out in the real world of similar things?)
• Have you been to the workshops and made the best use of time during critique
• Heck… did you even do the minimum work for the assignment (i.e.: following directions)!?!?
A student said during the same class: “I don’t want you to be mad at me”…
“I’m not going to get mad at you," I said. "Oddly, you'll find that we care for you. We care about your future. Instead, when you miss out on opportunities, I will be sad for you. Sad that you didn’t use your time well and that you didn’t get out of the critique what you needed. Sad that you didn’t take advantage of the opportunities when you needed to… but I won’t get mad.”
So, let’s not be sad. Get to work.
Get un-confused.
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