The Final Hour + Next Steps

 12/14/21, 6:30 pm -7:30 pm, 1 hour

Today I finally stepped into stores! I went to Menards to pick out paint samples, and I took photos of two different ideas for the wooden strips/slats for the northwest corner wal

Then, I hopped over to the HomeGoods store to find some inspiration. I almost bit the bullet on a desk, but I have come to realize that I have expensive taste. 

Since I have identified time and money as being two barriers to my creativity, I have allowed myself permission to explore ideas and create a design for my office without a budget or a timeframe for completion. This has helped my creativity immensely! Now I need to begin making purchases and making my plan a reality - with cost and timeline in mind.

Being overwhelmed by a whole project is a common occurrence for me, and one of the main reasons this project hasn’t been completed before now. That being said, in order for it to be functional, I am going to need to now begin tackling each element of the room piece by piece. 

First, I’m going to pick the paint (white on the bottom with a light yellow on the top, separated by the white chair rail), put up the wood strips in the northwest corner, and then purchase a desk. Next, I will tackle the office nook/side of the room, so it can function as my workspace immediately. Then, I will move on to the closet space, before finally finding my day bed/sofa bed and rug. Once these pieces are in place, I am going to begin decorating the walls and hanging/placing plants. I will give myself two months to complete this project.

I have a feeling that second-hand shops, antique stores, and creativity will play a big role in how I complete this project on a budget!

Reviewing Techniques, & Drafting

 12/13/21, 2:16 pm - 6:58 pm, 4.7 hours

Planning for Today: 

In looking back at chapter 8 of my textbook, I can see I’ve used several techniques or “active ingredients” so far in this creative project. 

• Abstracting - rather than viewing the problem as just “I need to reorganize my office” I recognized the broader picture was a need to craft a personal space and to invest in myself/my mindset/my creativity. 

• Block Removal - At the onset of this project, I identified several barriers to my creativity. The first being the “clutter” and stuff just everywhere in the office. So, I removed this barrier by clearing out the entire office ensuring that I had a “blank slate” to work with. 

• Bootstrapping and Concrete stimuli - I took ideas and did research, I found images and pictures to spur creativity and to consider further possibilities. 

• Deferred Evaluation  - I have tried my damndest to avoid critical thoughts or dismissing images for ideas as implausible. I allowed myself to save all images that inspired me or held potential.

• Display - I created Pinterest boards for inspiration as I display my concrete stimuli. 

• Mental Stimulation -  I have spent countless minutes thinking of different ideas, applying different characteristics to the office, and imagining how it would feel to be IN the room. 

Today, as I dive into a minimum of five hours on this project, I am planning to do the following aspects: 

• Display - I’m going to use an online app that allows me to design my office so that I do not waste money, time, or materials in trying out ideas and so that I can see my ideas come to life. Online App: https://floorplanner.com/

• Goal focus - I am going to tackle different aspects of the room one at a time before returning to the “display” idea and putting the ideas together as a whole.
   

• Group Interaction - I am going to enlist the creative mind of my fiance to explore ideas and make a plan based on my preliminary ideas, desires, and research. 

Activities:

I began by reviewing some of the images from my Pinterest boards. Then, I spent some time learning how to use the Floorplanner app and measuring my office to input the room onto Floorplanner. This helped me to get a sense of the layout. 

Next, I brought in my fiance for an outsider’s perspective. I shared with him my inspirational pictures from the pinterest boards, and then we spent time in the office talking through each wall and the layout of the room. This aspect was so helpful to explore ideas and make some tentative plans. 

From this conversation, I totally flipped where I planned on putting my office desk versus the sofa which will double as a pull out guest bed. We also discussed ways to put the closet space to dual function by being decorative and storage. This eliminates the need for a closet door as well. 

Here’s a little video of the layout of desk/sofa bed so far using Floorplanner. https://www.loom.com/share/4a53d62ca47242c98145ba804ab5d238

Next,I hopped on Ikea for some more inspiration based on the layout Jared (the fiance) and I had come up with. We found a sofa bed and daybed that fit my aesthetic (image 1 below) , and also a few different ideas for the closet organization (image 2). 

Image 1 - Sofa Bed (left) and Day Bed (right)

Image 2 - Closet organization Looking for a combination of the bottom portion of left image with right image on top. 

I spent about two hours just playing with the layout and different components of the office set up including furniture positioning, colors/paint, and then searching online for more ideas. 

Today, I end the day with the beginnings of the plan for my room. A quick summary: the “office” (desk, chair) will be on the south west side of the room with some shelves off to the south east side of the wall. The sofa bed will go on the north west wall. I’ll put some wooden panels (see image 3) as an accent/decoration meeting in the corner of the west and north facing walls. 

Image 3: Oak slats for corner of west and north walls (inspo picture)

The closet will remain open (I’m thinking with a complimentary accent color on the back closet wall). We will put in storage unit(s) that are dual functional/decorative. 

I am still playing with ideas on decorations, places for the animals when they want to visit me during the work day, and the inclusion of plants!

I’m looking forward to shopping for the “right” furniture items now and getting started with painting. 

Analogical Thinking Continued

 12/9/21, 8:27 - 9:05 pm, 0.53 hours

Today, I am continuing my research for analogical thinking by searching for examples/ideas for my table or “elaboration activity”. I am still guided by the questions listed in chapter 6 (p.105) to stimulate analogical thinking. 

1. What else is like this? 

2. What have others done?

3. What could I copy?

The following table are my Pinterest links for ideas gathered. Those listed in dark magenta were from yesterday’s research, and those links in blue are from today’s work.

Add plants (Hanging plants, shelves/plants on the walls, art work of plants)	Include places for brainstorming such as a white board, bulletin board	Add a practical bed or daybed to allow sitting/lounging but also accommodate friends	Little place for “cabinet of curiosities” inspired collectibles
Build a storage system in the closet (instead of just putting a shelf and a filing cabinet)	Make as much furniture and decoration double as practical storage	Lighting that can be changed to increase focus and productivity	Keep surfaces clear (really emphasize dual functionality furniture with storage)
Use a modern/dark color pallet	Add a desk that can allow “spreading out” such as a round table	Brown “slats” used in a corner or nook for decoration on the wall to separate the “office” portion from the daybed/guest portion	Designated place for Jacque (dog bed?)
Use earthy colors to paint the walls	Yellow or light colors to brighten it up	A sliding door for the closet	Something for the kitties (cat tree? Cat corner?)
Travel themes	Artwork or Photography	Designated “goals” or inspiration wall or area (does this overlap with brainstorming area?)	Decorative lights (twinkle lights?)

Elaboration & Analogical Thinking

 12/8/21, 7:45 - 9:52 pm, 2.12 hours

I was starting to feel overwhelmed by ideas and the potential to waste time and money I did have just to try ideas - yet, I know creativity needs to be a little messy and try out different things. So, I did some research on different websites and found some apps that will allow you to try out different things and essentially do your own interior design online. I still haven’t broken ground on DOING the thing - as in painting and decorating. However, I’m going to use this journal entry as a “creative process” today. I found using CPS as a starting point for this process to be really helpful, and as I completed our readings in this course I kept thinking I should apply these different strategies to my creative planning time. 

For today, I am going to use this entry AS a part of my creative project. Today, I will be doing an elaboration technique that we practiced in our Creativity Skills and CPS activity. 

Elaboration:  20 ways I can modify this office to make it more appealing and more “me”.

Add plants (Hanging plants, shelves/plants on the walls, art work of plants)	Include places for brainstorming such as a white board, bulletin board	Add a practical bed or daybed to allow sitting/lounging but also accommodate friends	Little place for “cabinet of curiosities” inspired collectibles
Build a storage system in the closet (instead of just putting a shelf and a filing cabinet)	Make as much furniture and decoration double as practical storage	Lighting that can be changed to increase focus and productivity	Keep surfaces clear (really emphasize dual functionality furniture with storage)
Use a modern/dark color pallet	Add a desk that can allow “spreading out” such as a round table	Brown “slats” used in a corner or nook for decoration on the wall to separate the “office” portion from the daybed/guest portion	Designated place for Jacque (dog bed?)
Use earthy colors to paint the walls	Yellow or light colors to brighten it up	A sliding door for the closet	Something for the kitties (cat tree? Cat corner?)
Travel themes	Artwork or Photography	Designated “goals” or inspiration wall or area (does this overlap with brainstorming area?)	Decorative lights (twinkle lights?)

Just the above exercise alone has really helped me think of some unique ideas for the layout of my room. 

Now, I’m going to move on to some analogical problem solving. I’m going to try to find ideas for the above elaboration activity by asking the questions listed in chapter 6 (p.105) to stimulate analogical thinking. I’ve just created Pinterest boards to save images and ideas that answer the following questions - 

1. What else is like this? 

2. What have others done?

3. What could I copy?

I’ve made each of my “elaborate” ideas hyperlinks to their own pinterest board so you can travel through my ‘analogical thinking’ research.

Removing Barriers to Creativity (Pt 2)

 11/26/21, 3:11-5:04, 1.88 hours

In my CPS activity for this class, I identified that I wanted to enjoy this 12-hour creative process. For me, this means letting go of the need to have perfection / to see a finished project within the confines of a twelve-hour window. In my life I am constantly time bound and hurried, and I recognized this as one of my barriers to creativity in my creative barriers assignment a few weeks ago. Today, I finished emptying out my office space save for the desk, a small filing cabinet, and an empty shelving unit. As I emptied out my office, I further reflected on how I can enjoy this process of creativity. I found this mindset led to truly finding a creative flow - fully engaged in what I am doing with the passing of time going unnoticed. 

As I cleared out my office, I realized that I had a new problem to solve in this process - where does all of this stuff go? I thought for a bit as I organized and considered where different things can go - office stuff, personal property, and knick knacks  that haven’t found their home in this house yet. Slowly, I began to realize that there was space in this house that was under utilized (quickly thrown together closests, a storage room in the basement with boxes slowly growing into mountains, a small storage room under the stairs…). Because I tackled today with the intention to go with the flow and I allowed myself to be completely free of time constraints, this allowed me to enjoy a creative re-organizing process. Small things I did not realize were bothering me were accomplished at the same time I solved a problem! My office is now emptied, the two closets are reorganized with space to spare with an open appealing appearance (instead of the previous pit of darkness that very-well might have hidden the monster of a child’s dreams), the boxes in my basement are condensed, shelved, and their is new openness. What’s more amazing is that each of these places are now better than they were before, with structure and maximized potential and all the things from my office are now gone. How is this possible? Creative problem solving! Redistribution and thinking outside the box. It was a fantastic creative experience - and the outcome of today is incredible. 

My creative flow did not stop with solving the problem Where does it all go?, however! I wanted to keep my eye and mind on the ultimate big picture - making my office space mine by attempting to open all my creative avenues and not withhold ideas due to doubt, time, or stress. All throughout the reorganization process, I took “stream of consciousness” notes as ideas came to me for my room. I did not allow myself to second guess or alter these ideas, but let them just flow. Sometimes it was just one idea  - “Vines around the window” and sometimes it was a quick brainstorm session where I wrote down several ideas as they came (inspired by the original thought). 

I also thought about this project. I am considering creating a blog and putting all of these reflections in them as a creative way to present my creative journey. We shall see.

FInal reflections: today was an inspiring day of creative productivity like I haven’t had since starting grade school. I can honestly say there is something to planned creativity and the concept that we can learn strategies to maximize them. In particular, recognizing my barriers has been instrumental!

<Insert walk-through of the new organization system & hand-written notes)

Removing Barriers to Creativity (Clutter)

11/24/21, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, 1.5 hours

After doing the “creative process” activity last week, I determined that one of the blocks to my creativity specific to making my office a place that is calming and inspirational was just all the “stuff”. When we moved into this home, the office had a desk in it which I just left there. I moved my boxes of work stuff in and even a few boxes of stuff I just didn’t have the mental space to go through and organize. The rest of the house was a priority! So, in looking at all the physical and emotional blocks the STUFF in this room was the first thing that needed to go. Today, I spent time moving things into boxes to pack up and move to a storage closet so that I can start my room with a clean slate. While I packed up, I set aside a few items (three to be exact) that will be used to count as “inspiration” or “materials available” - a decorative white board, picture frame, and an envelope of prints I hoped to one day put up. The room is half emptied now, and I can already feel the ideas coming to mind. 

Some ideas I had today while emptying the room: 

→ one of the issues I have is the discrepancy between my desire for open/minimalism and the stuff I have to store for work/life.

→ I have a space that could be totally redone to serve as a unique storage space allowing me to have both my minimalist room and also the pertinent work items available at hand. 

→ I feel a sense of excitement at the possibilities!

I didn’t get a before picture, but I did get a “where I’m at now” video! (click here)

Stages of CPS

11/18/21, 0.5 hours

Creative Problem Solving stages

Mess Finding:  Think of a real problem or challenge you have (not enough time, raising money for a vacation, raising GPA, etc.)

General Problem: I need to do my 12-hour creative practice project.

Data Finding:  What do you know about the problem?  List all the relevant information you need to consider about this problem.  

• What is my project? Finally making my office MY office, and creating a place for myself.

• How will I do it? I will brainstorm ideas, allow myself to try out colors or ideas without “knowing” it will work, and I will give myself freedom to do and redo things as ideas come to me.

• Why is it important? It’s symbolic of how much I put into the world around me and others and yet leave myself for last

• What materials/technology do I have available? I have the internet and there are websites where you can try out different colors on a picture of your room. I think I may be able to find other creative avenues for trying out different ideas in a virtual setting first. This would save money! Also, I have money to purchase materials, I have some furniture already, I have pictures I can print, and art I can put up. I have paint brushes. I am working with a door, a closet, and two windows.

• What is the cost? I am going try to do this as cheaply as possible, which includes going to thrift stores and local antique shops before shopping for any expensive furniture or art.

• What will others think of it? It doesn’t matter! This is totally for ME and my own benefit and acceptance.

• It will be therapeutic not only for my creative mind, but also for my working/professional life and mindset.

• Available time (This Sunday, Wednesday before/ Friday & Sunday after Thanksgiving, the 4th, 5th, and the 11th) 

• It needs to be a project that is meaningful to me

• requires me to stretch my creative thinking

• Once completed, I must be able to provide: 

• A description of the creative practicing project I selected and a rationale for why I selected it 

• Examples of the practicing at various stages/evidence

• Descriptions and reflections of blocks to my creativity that occurred and what techniques I used  to overcome those blocks

• A summary assessment of what I think was accomplished, how I feel about the experience, how I might change your creative practicing, and what avenues I plan to address with creative practicing in the future

Problem Finding:  List at least 3 different ways of framing the problem using “In What Ways Might I” statements:

1.  IWWMI: In what ways might I create a space that is both calming and encourages productivity?

2.  IWWMI: In what ways might I ensure I enjoy the process of creating?

3. IWWMI:  In what ways might I maximize my enjoyment of this creative practice?

Select and highlight one problem statement you would like to work through the rest of the model.  

Idea Finding:  Brainstorm a minimum of 15 ideas for how you might address this problem statement.  

1. Allow myself time to brainstorm.

2. Give myself permission to make mistakes.

3. Not dismiss my ideas before trying them (whether through technology or tangible implementation)

4. Spend time in creative thought without pressure of an immediate product

5. Start with a clean slate (empty the room)

6. Share ideas with my friends and partner, hear what they have to say

7. Peruse the designs of others

8. Give myself permission to make changes; there is no final product - I can always change it

9. Not lose sight of the objective → to practice (and enjoy) meaningful creativity

10. Try new things (colors, ideas, themes)

11. Challenge myself with making things if the thoughts arise

12. Not lose sight of the objective → to create a space that helps me mentally and gives back to myself!

13. Document the process through journaling 

14. Document the process through photography

15. During exploration phases, not allow myself to look at the price tag. Instead, look for creativity and satisfaction! (I can deal with the price tag later, or get creative to make  or find an inexpensive version!)

Review your list and highlight the 4 most promising ideas from the list.  

Solution Finding:   Determine 4 different criteria that you will evaluate each of your ideas against.    Examples of criteria include:  Will it work?  Ease of Implementation?  Cost?  Time? Appeal?

Once you determine your criteria, evaluate each idea against each criterion on a scale of 1-5 with scores on the low end being less favorable and scores on the higher end being more favorable.  For example, if your criterion is cost, and the solution is not very expensive, it would get a score of 4 or 5.  If it is very expensive, it would get a score of 1 or 2.   Or, if your criterion is ease of implementation, and your solution would be complicated to do, then it might get a score of 1 on that criterion, and if it would be no trouble to implement, then it would earn a score of 5.  Please fill out the matrix below and total your scores.  Highlight the solution with the highest score.

Use the table below to create a matrix for evaluating your ideas.   On the top

Ideas/Criteria	Will it work?	Ease of Implementation?	Cost?	Time?	Total
Give myself permission to make mistakes.	5	2	3	4	14
Not dismiss my ideas before trying them	3	3	4	1	11
Try new things (colors, ideas, themes)	4	3	4	5	16
Start with a clean slate (empty the room)	5	5	5	4	19

Acceptance planning:  Now that you have reached a potential solution, describe a brief action plan that you could do to put the idea into play:  

I will start with a blank slate by emptying out the room the day before Thanksgiving. I will explore colors and themes through research and conversation that are all over my tastes (and maybe outside my initial tastes). I will brainstorm regularly and write down these ideas WITHOUT editing them so that I do not dismiss ideas before I give them the credit they are due. I will give myself permission to simply spend the 12 hours being creative; so that I can make mistakes, I will not expect to complete my project and have the final iteration within those 12 hours - This will allow me to truly enjoy the creative process!