Grace in Dundee

Date: March 3, 2009
Time: 14:40-15:30
Participator: Master of Ethnography students

Tuesday afternoon, I organized a focus group. My purpose of it was to know the meaning of jewellery in people’s daily life. Explore which element would be most important when people pick out their favourite piece of jewellery. What kind of jewellery styles, materials, colour would be popular and which design would not be acceptable by public?
Material usage, as an important factor of jewellery design brings me thinking of its’ deeper meaning. Relating to my project, I would like to find a suitable material for designing which would be functional in therapy area. It should close to public’s needs and be equipped with decoration function. Further, people build their psychological security by material and aroused memories by touching specific materials. Hence, I engage in people in order to know more relevance from materials and their real life.
Part One
3 Questions:
1) Do you like wearing jewellery? Why or why not?



2) It is a necklaces exhibition and you are invited to enter. You are free of choosing two works which could take your fancy. Remember they are all for you and you could wear or just keep them. Please write your answers on tickets and hide them.


3) Could you please select a necklace for each other as a present?



Comparing with choice of self and by others. The results were big different. It helped me explore people’s deep personality and improve mutual understanding from the workshop. Further, I found people love nature beauty things which always relate to their personal experience. They do not like over shining jewellery even diamond. They prefer 925 silver and quit 999 which is bright and blinding.


I like the workshop and the way of communication.

Tuesday morning, we had a workshop which was provided by Brain Carlin and Mel Woods,separately. Mr Brain Carlin was from RESQROLL emergency extrication system. His topic was around design and trauma.

Mrs Mel Woods plays an important role in Ambaba company which creates new products for kids. Her case started at "An innovative, one-size-fits-all nappy" When she read a government report, arguing that reusable nappies were damaging to the environment because of their functionality and design, she decided to put her long-brewing business idea into action to design a one-size, eco-friendly nappy that people would enjoy using.

I quite like their interesting presentations. In person, Mel Woods's case attracted me more. I liked her motivation of nappy project. I also believed she was an environmentalists and her mindful thinking helped her find a unique selling point in redesign area. She knew deeply environmental protection was for new generation at all. It was a loving care project I felt Her great enthusiasm was to dilight babys and made them lovely.

Sharing ideas were important. " Ambaba identified a need for a one-size nappy that was economical, easy to wash and dry, and had a contemporary look that coordinated with designer and high-street children's wear. " as her presented. To be confidence although there would be a lots competitors. She learnt rich experiences from dominant firms and designers. Meanwhile she hold on forming her own style. I admired her brave in developing process, smart way of thinking as well.

Another point interested me was " Asking right question". It was about "Culture Probs". Gathering response from customers was not easy. Mother always busy with taking care of their babys. Time shortage would be a problem for them. How to persuade them to be your volunteer and engage in your workshop? Mel gave me positive suggestions later. She said:
"Asking right question." It meant effective question was key point, no more informations.
"Working Ethically with people" Trustworthy was basic not only for a brand but also for a long-term relationship with your customers. (Baby will grow up)
Finally, I think kind personality and loving-transmission are necessary for communication.

Ambaba
http://www.nesta.org.uk/ambaba/

Hi Lauren,
//////////////
Nice to see you this afternoon.
This morning we had a workshop about FUNDING. Basicaly, it was about how to get money to support your career as designer or artist after graduation. Sara Keith and Sarah Kettley gave us good presentations which were enjoyable and helpful.I try to sort out the notes from it and give you the copy. Hope they are useful for your research. Some links will be displayed and you will be able to find usable information via them.

Sara Keith - She is now working for Scottish Arts Council who is quite familiar with arranging exhibition, teaching thing and TV talk. She introduced structure of Scottish Arts Council like Business and Research Funding for Design, Local government (Business Gateway) and how to apply for fund. I think professionalism is significent when you take up your project. They believed you by your persuasive reasons and your argument should be very persuasive. Secondly, it is essentioal for you to convey project proposal clearly which means you could emphasize points directly.

Sarah Kettley — She is PHD student now and she has rich experiences about how to find reseach funding. She talked about Designing Innovative Research which including Artist and Academic two parts. Owing to her project this year about interactive jewelry, she payed more attention to craft area. Later, she focused on Business and offered lots good website links.

Personally, I was interested in team work she mentioned in workshop. It seems not easy to establish your group and select suitable people for working with. How to gather people who have different backdrops and get along with them smoothly? Perhaps good faith is crucial. I find you are quite good at involving in people and arranging thing. Could you give me some ideas? Thank you for reading.

Best Wishes,
Grace

P.S:
Useful links:
http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx
http://81.21.76.62/gest.org.uk/index.html
http://www.wcmt.org.uk/
http://www.bgateway.com/bdotg/action/home?site=202&furlname=scottishenterprise&furlparam=scottishenterprise&ref=&domain=www.bgateway.com

Business Focused:
http://www.nesta.org.uk/
http://www.scottishbusinessgrants.gov.uk/rsa/999.html
http://www.ktnkenya.tv/
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/

CH2=C(CH3)C(=O)OCH3 enclosures and other TN’s


Now I am dealing with my book review which is 1500 words at least according to module requirement. Absolutely, it is a big task for me even I write it in Chinese. I try to make any sense from the book and pick up some useful information via it in order to support my writing.

It is a compelling book which concluded 15 years of Ted Noten's work as a jewelry designer. Furthermore, it displays author's comments of pieces, diverse sections (as notebook, review, interview or poetry, among others), an atlas of his professional and private career, and a database. However, the structure of the book is quite confusing and the language is a little bit obscure.

I kept on typing continuously all day long and made effort to finish it as soon as possible. But, I found it was not effective way for writing directly on computer. Because I can not help concentrating on much details like spelling, sentence structure and choice of words. Finally, I lost main meaning and confused with the purpose of my essay. Then, I shut down my computer and wrote down my ideas on paper with physical way. I found it was quite useful for clearing thought and I suddenly made sense of my work.

"More haste, less speed" , as the saying goes. I will think deeply before action next time : )

What is your feeling when see this email address (funnyface@hotmal.com) on formal CV paper? How to set points for an effective CV? Introduce yourself or write down what the employer wants? How to mark yourself with marketing ideas...

Design is...
DISCOVER + VISUAL ART + TRY STUFF OUT

I am stuck on process of final project. How to develop? Critical Design or Product-oriented? I need more details...

I had three full days workshops which were all brilliant even unforgettable and I was immersed in a creative atmosphere completely.
Especially for today's workshop-THE DEEP DIVE, which was presented by Mr Colin who has abundant design work experience in IDEO. I really admired the fineness of his speech. (DRAMATIC + INSPIRED + PLAYFUL + HORTATIVE + EFFECTIVE + ANIMATING)
Actually, I never before absorbed by the context like it. I am now fully alive to the value of teamwork (Commutative + Muti-angle) and how important to change your mind when you are engaged in a creative task and what the meaning of brain storming ( 20<30,min)

I finished a self-portrait today in order to give you as a birthday gift. Happy Birthday,my dear friend! Love forever...

Please click here:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO U

Time is flying....

Two months past. How fast it is!!
London trip + \\ Keep on walking\\ Sometime we have to keep on walking. Hold on when you feel exhaust!
Whole day class + \\ I really like courses here not only the fascinating content but also they are people-oriented. Basically, I got confidence though leaning diverse methods like communication skills,story telling,etc.
Money shortage + \\ Find TK MAXx which is a huge market sells branding cloths. I bought Tops of DKNY only 8 pounds each. I also bought some cheap knitted shirts made in Italian. Please renounce consumption!!!
Computer disorder + \\ Why does Mac book stuck always when I chat to my friends? Website problem? Should be re-installed!
Social dinner +\\ Big Nang ＋ curry rice ＋ Apple pie ＝ DELICIOUS!
Cook +\\ I am now a cook with Mix and Match style. It is creative way to eat Haggies (traditional Scottish beef) with Beijing Duck style.

I found courses here were close connection as today we had a fantastic lecture about communication. Professor emphasized that: "To be a storyteller when you put into a presentation. It is significant to be a persuader as well!"
He also introduced many useful methods and inspired me a lot. I will adjust them and display here. Now, I only recommend you a nailing website named TED. Don't ask any questions about it, JUST SEE IT:)

http://www.ted.com/

iLike the courses-Storytelling!

Today we had a workshop which researched on traditional storytelling and new media was inspired by the idea that design in modern society could learn from the culture. It was interesting although I was a little bit nervous at the beginning.


After introducing the Scottish traditional storytelling, we tried to say something with Scottish style- strike a match and finish the story till it go out. That was dramatic.


After that, we were required to choose one individual topic according as culture background and shared together in group. After that we defined the context via one word. Finally, we had a big communication. Topics like "Emotion and family" were popular.





After lunch, we were engaged in another big task- to be a storyteller. Firstly, we spent 15 min to read a story and then painted 6 points on paper like cue card. Then, we changed the story each other with different methods. The tutor asked us to finish an abstract painting which included all the context of the story and then displayed them. (No words, no details, just some colorful symbols) Frankly, it was hard to choose the elements what you needed.



Finally, we shared stories like a professional storyteller. I was happy because I used role play with my fellow which was successful!



Summary: I learnt how to transfer massive words to be images which is useful to retell something. Story = organized ideas.

日子忙碌起来！看了下课表，小小惊叹。下周起的课从周一到周五占了个满坐，还有个presentation在不远的将来召唤我，一阵寒气。下周末去伦敦，归来该是reading week了。借了厚厚一书包的书，有设计概念的，艺术理论的....再看看推荐书目跟着天天刷新，这要看到猴年马月呀！罢了，每天面对满满当当的abcd，全然做个洋书虫吧！我爬我爬creep...不过，现在看书比刚来时快多了，还记着Bill说过的秘诀：书就是要越读越薄，要用脑子精简着读。

既然如此辛苦，当然需要提前犒劳一下肚子。今天和朋友们小型聚餐，跑去Jimmy Chung's （中国自助餐）吃了顿饱饭。那可是提前做足了准备工作，前一天晚睡，第二天晚起，一上午只喝白水，以此将胃里的资源重新整合，腾出更大的存储空间来。饭后闲聊，难得的惬意周末呀，特此拍照留念，呵呵！

我总是记不住路名，但无所谓。只是凝视窗外，发现午后的街道在阳光下，甚美！




After PS...

Feel tired and miss someone...

9月13日，飞机从一个亮白的地方起飞，慢慢长长的过了10个小时，到达另外一个亮白的国度（荷兰）。疲惫的我继续往爱丁堡飞去，深夜终于落在了机场。我们一行留学生找了排排长椅子，东倒西歪地迷糊了...

14号，太阳早班，阳光甚好。大家收起行囊，各奔东西。车缓缓驶入dundee时，正逢阳光透亮的下午。苏格兰高地那层层的远山与矮云，伴着清凉清凉的空气，扑面而来，叫人心生一片爽朗。我终于熬过了40个小时，昏昏睡去！

怎么说呢，一个月了，真快！往事却都历历在目。
小总结吧：
Dundee 人: 特别友好，始终觉得不太真实。也许是国内受冷落白眼惯了，初来乍到真还不习惯别人的友善。
Dundee大学：非常不错，high level。综合性大学就是不一样，学生藏龙卧虎，背景迥异，更有厉害的是教授，老师，深藏不露，却谦虚亲切。
Dundee的天气：Mobile多变，白天，若赶上太阳上班的日子，暖烘烘地；一到夜里，翻箱倒柜的找羽绒服吧！冷风飕飕，不过空气质量倒是出奇的好，干干的苏格兰高地，一点都不潮湿！
Dundee的秩序：早晨是从9点开始的，而非我在上海工作时，从6点开始！晚上结束于5点30分，一瞬间，所有的店铺全部关门，路上只有海鸥悠悠地闲走，抢食路人遗忘或故意留下地面包粒子。
Dundee的环境：17万人口的小城，功能齐全，生活非常方便。步行就能来回学校、city center、还有寝室。人们爱说sorry,怪怪的苏格兰口音，似懂非懂，呵呵。
Dundee的食物：扣分的项目！非常不怎么适合人类吃，尤其对于中国人。不过还好，现在自己煮了，一来味美，二来防肥！哈哈，周末常去中国超市，有老干妈哦！

差不多都适应了生活，但是学习的压力很大。要努力呀！
睡了，困得不行！

Hi, I make post card every week and record my life here. Hope you like them.

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

Week 0