Creative Process Portfolio-Joe Messina

Introduction- The Creative Process

We use the creative process in order to solve problems. We take a number of steps when reaching our solution. These steps include:

1. Clarification

2. Ideation

3. Development

4. Implementation

My Project

Throughout this project, I will demonstrate my understanding of the creative process by applying it to a real world problem and coming up with a viable solution to that problem.

So without further ado...

Let's Do This!

Clarification

This is the first step to the creative process. Defining exactly what problem that you are trying to solve for allows for you to understand your role in the project, the people that will be involved as part of the solution to your problem, as well as the industry that surrounds your problem.

Landscaping

During the clarification stage, it is extremely important to map out your train of thought in order to properly define your problem. The landscaping phase includes:

• Writing an initial problem statement
• Reframing the problem
• Conducting research using logical thinking (head research)
• Conducting research using emotional thinking (heart research)
• Proposing a challenge question

Once you complete the landscaping phase, you can properly define your problem.

My Experience

In order to define as to what problem I was trying to solve for, I started off by listing off a number of things that came across as annoying or discomforting. To list a few, some things that come across as annoying include:

• Bad drivers
• Slow walkers
• Broken IPhone chargers
• Subscription Services

I then decided that I wanted to take on the subject of broken IPhone chargers. I find myself extremely frustrated when I go to plug in my phone, only to later realize that the charger was

broken. I was determined to find the best solution to this problem.

Head Research

To better understand the problem that I was attempting to address, I had to figure out three things:

• What do I currently know?
• What do I need to know?
• Where do I find what I am looking for?

As far as what I already knew about IPhone chargers, they are available for purchase at a majority of tech stores, as well as online. A typical IPhone charger costs around $8.00, with some chargers being sold for up to $20.00. I needed to know whether or not it was to cheaper to fix an IPhone charger, or buy a new one as a replacement. Finally, I decided that the best place to look for my answer was either at a reliable tech store or a credible tech website.

Heart Research

To further understand my problem, I had to witness it in the real world. This lead for me to conduct OBSERVATIONAL and CONVERSATIONAL research. I had to figure out:

• Who are the people I need to watch?
• Where would I best observe the problem I am trying to solve for?
• What exaclty am I looking for with my observation?
• How can I be sure that their actions are natural?
• How will I record my findings?
• How many people will I observe altogether?

Heart Research- Continued

To answer some of the previous questions, I decided that I needed to watch people who had apple products such as IPhones, IPods, and AirPods. I would best observe them in a public area, such as FSB or the Garden Commons, or a quiet area such as King Library or one of the study rooms within my dorm, McBride Hall. I would be looking for people having trouble with charging their devices. I would know that they were acting natural by judging as to whether or not they looked frusterated while plugging in their device. While I only observed a couple of people, I wrote down my findings in my ESP 103 workbook.

The Hero's Journey

In order to determine exactly as to what problem I planned to solve, I had to frame my ideas I started by shifting my focus on the hero's journey. I designed my own superhero, outlined what he was trying to accomplish, and what obstacles were in their way. This caused me to think about possible design questions and how I wanted my solution to impact the lives of others and the world around me. After diving in deeper into my topic, I finally developed the challenge question that would guide me throughout this creative process:

HOW CAN WE LIMIT THE ANNUAL COST OF IPHONE CHARGERS?

Ideation

This is the second step in the creative process. Ideation deals with generating a multitude of ideas, later converging on the ideas that would pose to be the best solution to your problem. It is important to follow the four brainstorming rules during the ideation phase:

• Going for quantity
• Deffering judgment
• Seeking novelty
• Building off the ideas of others

Some of the best tools to brainstorm ideas include the lotus blossom, reverse brainstorming, grouping and theming.

Ideation- Continued

After brainstorming comes the convergence stage. In this process, you take all of your ideas and narrow down to the best, those being the most feasable or the most novel. One of the best ways to determine the best ideas from the worst is using a LINE OF CONVERGENCE. The best ideas go above the line, while the ideas that end up below the line are discarded. Ypu repeat this process until you have your final selection of ideas. These will be the ideas that you will later prototype during the development phase of the creative process.

My Experience- Brainstorming

During my ideation phase of my project, I brainstormed ideas by listing unique ideas that could serve as possible solutions to limit the amount that people spend on replacing their IPhone charger. By going for quantity and differing judgement regarding the quality of my ideas, I was able to list 103 ideas into a google doc. Some of my favorite ideas in:

• Writing a song to get sponsored by Apple Inc. so I didn't have to buy replacement chargers for my devices.
• Organizing the ultimate charger heist
• Striking against Apple products until they fix their chargers
• Have Professor Z. buy new chargers for everybody with broken chargers.

My Experience- Convergence

Once I reached a total of 103 ideas, I then needed to start cutting of some of my ideas. I went from 103 ideas to 50 ideas, then from 50 ideas to 15. I was able to accomplish this through the line of convergence test. Finally, I determined the three best ideas to limit the annual cost on replacement IPhone chargers that I could use to continue to the develoment phase:

• Hold a charger donation drive where people could donate chargers to college students
• Create a universal charger that works for all devices (phones, laptops, headphones, etc.)
• Create a charger repair kit that fixes broken IPhone chargers

Development

Development is the third phase of the creative process. During the development phase, you take time to create prototypes to solve your problem. Once you build your prototypes, it is crucial that you show your prototypes to the right people in order to receive feedback on how to improve your ideas. You are not seeking validation. You're trying to find what is in need of improvement. You repeat this process until you create a working prototype.

My Experience

Looking back at my final ideas from the ideation phase, I created three prototypes that could serve as the solution to my problem. I made illustrations of each prototype and interviewed three students from Miami University. Each interviewee provided feedback on each prototype, asking questions, stating what they liked about the prototype, and what could be improved. I had everyone rate each prototype on a scale from 1 to 5, as well as write a question or comment on each prototype.

My Experience- Continued

Based on the feedback I received from the interviewees, I continued to improve and develop my idea to create a charger donation drive. That was until I received one simple, but very powerful question. "Why would people just give away their perfectly good chargers?" I immediately shifted my focus from a donation drive to an actual business idea, one where students could turn in their chargers to be fixed by professionals for little to no cost. I called it "Recharge! Charger Repair Center" I received even better feedback, on this idea, and decided to carry this idea on to the implementation phase of the creative process.

Implementation

This is the fourth and final step to the creative process. It is during this phase that your ideas become reality. This is where you really polish your final ideas and pitch your final idea that you want the world to see.

Pitching Your Idea

A lot goes into delivering a good pitch. In order to bring value and credibility to your idea, it is great to incorporate these ideas within your pitch:

• A good hook- something emotional that brings attention to what you are selling
• Analyzing the status quo
• Bringing attention to the problem or challenge at hand
• Stating your big idea in a dramatic fashion
• Declare how you will implement your idea
• Exclaim your desired impact
• Bring a call to action that surrounds your idea

DON'T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS?

OR THIS?

WHAT ABOUT THIS?

NOW, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE STORE TO BUY A NEW CHARGER

OR DO YOU?

INTRODUCING...

RECHARGE!

RECHARGE! IS A CHARGER REPAIR CENTER TEAMING UP WITH MIAMI UNIVERSITY

TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A CHEAP, EASY WAY TO GET YOUR CHARGER FIXED!

IF YOU BUY A CHARGER FROM MIAMI UNIVERSITY, BRING IT TO RECHARGE! TO HAVE FIXED FOR FREE!

IF YOU DID NOT BUY YOUR CHARGER FROM MIAMI UNIVERSITY, DO NOT FEAR!

RECHARGE! WILL REPAIR ANY CHARGER FOR HALF OF WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY PAID FOR IT!

HEAD OVER TO RECHARGE! TODAY AND BRING YOUR DEVICES BACK TO LIFE!

The Hero's Journey

Observations

My Prototypes

Prototyping With Feedback

Reflection- The Creative Process

I never would have thought that the creative process was so long and intricate if it wasn't for this project. I now know how to assess problems before coming up with a solution. I look forward to using what I learned from ESP 103 towards the upcoming client challenge.

And most of all...

THANKS FOR WATCHING!