New Ways of Seeing: An Alternative Approach to Achieving Creativity - MFA Graphic Design Thesis Visual & Written

• THESIS BLOG & PROCESS: http://et-golden.tumblr.com/
• written thesis
• visual thesis: gallery showcase - which included:
  • methodology & exercise I developed
  • 10 student projects featured in showcase (20 total from class)
  • interactive elements: photo-booth, community 'totem pole,' and body art / temporary tattoos

Creativity is the ability to see, filter, and connect information. Exercising that ability yields new opportunities and possibilities for approaching tasks and goals. The process of creative thinking enables a person to see the world in new perspectives. My thesis focuses on developing opportunities that foster ‘new ways of seeing.’

/ Description :

In a constantly evolving culture, regardless of what information, technology, and/or knowledge we possess, it is crucial we comprehend how to think about those tools, ourselves, and the world.

Strategies I experienced as a U.S. Olympic Trials swimmer have contributed to success in all aspects of my life. Swimming at an elite level has not only taught me to focus on quality, but also has instructed me to exercise new ways of seeing. New ways of seeing means the ability to constantly shift perspective to discover alternative, optimal ways to learn, solve, or understand what is presented before you. This divergent thought process is essentially creative thinking. With this knowledge, I realized there are new ways to approach the process of creativity. 

Visualization is an exercise frequently used in sports to train physical technique and mental performance. Coaches and athletes utilize this methodology for practicing precise skills and achieve successful outcomes. Visualization enables the person to program the mind and body for success. Visualization has the opportunity to change how creativity is developed.

/ Educational Tool : 

Pulling values from spirit animals in Native American culture, as well as my experience as an athlete, I developed an exercise which was implemented in an upper level graphic design class at SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design. Working with twenty students, I presented a two week lesson plan and project that would investigate the relationship between introspection and creativity. Students were educated about Native American spirit animals to contextualize this introspective exercise. A series of project briefs asked students to look at their personality traits and determine an animal with similar characteristics. Their final outcome was a visual exploration that revealed how they see themselves through the eyes of this animal.

This project yielded work that was not only exceptionally executed, but united creativity and introspection. Select student works were featured in the gallery showcase to display the successful outcome of this methodology