3D Brief
Introduction
The Brief is composed of two versions: the Accessible Brief and the Artefact Brief, both of which are included to provide students with clear, interactive and readable content.
The Artefact Brief is an interactive document that begins as a double-sided A3 page. This page is designed to be folded into an A4 size, resulting in a format with two distinct opening sides. The center of the folded page serves as a gathering point for the main content, while the back side is designated for students to write notes and a potential future narrative.
The Artefact Brief, is more than a document; it is a compass for personal and professional exploration. Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, which seeks to find one’s “reason for being,” this handout intertwines with the reflective practices of “The Artist’s Way,” encouraging creative discovery and an authentic life path. By incorporating elements of Ikigai and “The Artist’s Way,” the brief becomes a transformative tool, encouraging students to live a life aligned with their true passions and capabilities.
Design and Structure:
- Front Page (A4 – folded): This will feature a simple yet inviting design with an Ikigai-inspired questions to reflect upon.
- Inside Spread (A3 – unfolded): Upon opening, the brief reveals an array of aspaces of areas to answer This will feature a simple yet inviting design with an Ikigai-inspired diagram. Each segment prompts introspection on key aspects. This interactive diagram sets the foundation for exploring one’s purpose.
- Back Page (A3 – unfolded): The back side will serve as a reflective canvas for the students where they can jot down thoughts, ideas, and action plans.
Part 1
The first image is the accessible handout titled “Brief.” It features a drawing of a flower at the top with teardrop-shaped petals, each containing a question to provoke thought about the reader’s personal and professional life. This worksheet asks the reader to consider how their animation project reflects their passion and contributes to their career goals. It also prompts planning for the exploration and development of specific skills and techniques in animation, and how these will aid in professional growth. Finally, it encourages setting out steps to advance long-term career goals in the animation industry over the next ten years. At the bottom of the page, there’s a call to action: “Please fill the handout to help you answering,” indicate the next step where the reader should use the space provided to articulate their thoughts in response to the questions above.
As a remind the brief is also included in the hand out in the second image: above the illustration is text encouraging the reader to use the visual metaphor of the flower as a way to blend technical skills with personal vision and understanding of the world, expressing unique identity, and setting a foundation for one’s career. Below the flower, there are prompts to consider how one’s project reflects their passion for animation, the specific skills and techniques they wish to explore, and the steps they will take toward long-term career goals.
Part 2
The image features three panels, the right and left panel are folded and overlapped to the next image of part 3.
The left panel shows an illustration of a flower bud with various teardrop-shaped labels, each containing a question pertaining to personal growth and self-reflection, such as “What earns you money?”, “What are you good at?”, and “What do you struggle with?”.
The right panel complements the left, with an illustration of a flower with its petals unfurling, each petal containing a reflective question like “What do you love?”, “What does the world need?”, and “What would you do for the world?”. Below this, a hand is depicted lighting a candle within the flower pot, symbolizing inspiration or the beginning of a journey. The background is plain white, which emphasizes the content within each panel.
The middle panel – which when folded ends up to be at the back of the handout is a lined page prompting the viewer to “Write how you imagine your life ideal life,” with ample space provided for a written response. This part is at the back of the Brief and it allow the student to write a narrative version of the content.
This triptych format is the first and last part of the guided exercise for personal introspection and planning, encouraging the user to engage in deep self-reflection to define their aspirations and purpose.
Part 3
The third image is revelead as we open up the two sides of part 1. open showcase a colorful illustration resembling a flower with multiple petals, each labeled with different elements that contribute to personal and professional development.
At the center, there’s a smaller yellow petal labeled “You”, surrounded by six larger petals with the following labels: “Your Passion”, “Your Contribution”, “Your calling”, “Good job?”, “Love”, and “Safety”. These larger petals overlap to create additional segments, each with its own set of questions or affirmations, such as “Profession?”, “Opportunity for service?”, “Mission?”, “Opportunity for growth?”, “Ideology”, and “Skills”. The text accompanying the image serves as a tool for reflection and planning, guiding the student to consider various aspects of life and career and it is the same text of the accessible brief. The flower is drawn atop a stem with leaves, positioned in a pot, symbolizing growth and nurturing. The background has a soft gradient, and the overall style is hand-drawn with pastel shades.
The style is consistent feature sketch-like, soft illustrations with a gentle use of color.
Development
The Artefact Brief integrates the self-reflective principles of Ikigai and “The Artist’s Way” with Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy to create an innovative educational tool aimed at addressing and dismantling unconscious biases related to social, climate, and racial justice within university structures. By doing so, the brief serves as a transformative document, guiding students to develop not only academically but also as socially conscious individuals.
Ikigai and Inclusive Motivation:
The concept of Ikigai is adapted to prompt students to consider how their personal aspirations can contribute to broader societal goals, especially in the realms of social and environmental justice. This fosters an inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds can find motivation and purpose in their studies and future endeavors, which aligns with the university’s commitment to equity and diversity (Kono et al., 2020).
The Artist’s Way and Creative Advocacy:
“The Artist’s Way” is re-envisioned to encourage students to use their creative energy not just for personal growth but also as a means of advocacy for justice. Creative exercises are aimed at helping students express their thoughts on systemic injustices and explore innovative solutions to address these challenges. This reflects the need for creativity in the fight for justice and equity (Richardson, 2017).
Freirean Pedagogy and Consciousness-Raising:
Freire’s approach is crucial in helping students recognize and challenge unconscious biases in themselves and the structures around them. The Artefact Brief incorporates critical dialogue and problem-posing education to raise consciousness about social, climate, and racial issues, thus empowering students to act towards transformative change (Freire, 1970).
Development of the Artefact Brief:
The document’s design, featuring the growth of plants, symbolizes the organic and necessary growth of social consciousness in students. The plant metaphor extends to the idea of nurturing a diverse ecosystem of thoughts and actions that contribute to a healthier, more just society. The plant metaphor extends to the idea of nurturing a diverse ecosystem of thoughts and actions that contribute to a healthier, more just society.
Design Considerations:
- Ikigai Diagram: This diagram will prompt students to reflect on their unique role in addressing societal challenges, guiding them to find intersections between their skills, passions, and the needs of a planet facing social and environmental crises.
- Reflective Prompts: Drawing from “The Artist’s Way,” prompts will be tailored to encourage students to reflect on their cultural identities, privileges, and responsibilities. These exercises aim to foster empathy and a deep understanding of the complexities of social justice issues.
- Critical Questions: Informed by Freire’s methodology, the brief will include probing questions that challenge students to critically analyze and question systemic inequities. It encourages them to think about how their future professions can address and rectify imbalances of power and resources.
Application : Educators can use the Artefact Brief as a pedagogical tool to facilitate discussions on social justice and to encourage students to develop projects that offer sustainable and equitable solutions. The brief can be a foundational document in courses centered on social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and multicultural understanding.
The reimagined Artefact Brief is more than an academic tool; it is a conduit for social change. By combining the introspective nature of Ikigai, the creativity fostered by “The Artist’s Way,” and the critical engagement espoused by Freirean pedagogy, the brief invites students to become advocates for justice. It prepares them to enter a global society as informed, compassionate, and active citizens who understand their power to reshape the university’s expectations and outcomes towards a more just and equitable world.
Bibliography
- Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum.
- Kono, S. et al. (2020). Ikigai and Motivation in Learning Contexts: A Review and Future Directions. Educational Psychology Review.
- Richardson, C. (2017). The Creative Student: The Future of Education. Creative Education Foundation.
- Cameron, J. (2002). The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. TarcherPerigee.
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