Hi, I'm Taylor! I am a current Senior at Michigan State University working towards a Bachelor's degree in Experience Architecture. I also have a Minor Graphic Design. I have a passion for art and an interest in how it can shape an individual's experience, which drew me to my fields of study.
I chose XA to combine my love for the visually appealing and my interests in computer science. If you are unaware of what XA is, I typically sum it up as "user interface research and design". The key role of an XA professional is to understand how users navigate through digital spaces, and then take that information and use it to create functional and beautiful digital spaces and experiences.
I see Graphic Design as a natural extension of my studies in creating beautiful experiences because it has a lot to do with using artistic talents and methods to craft visual experiences. Graphics are often used in digital spaces, so I thought it would be valuable to learn more about graphics in general.
After graduation, I will be looking for a job as a User Experience Designer. I want to have a role in dreaming up the ways in which people experience our modern world via websites and applications.
“Creativity is the ability to create ideas and artifacts that are new, surprising, and valuable.” - Lego Learning Institute 2008
This definition was from one of the class readings from the Leog Learning Institute. I was drawn to this definition of creativity because of the value proposition. In my field of study, we strive to create designs that fit this deifinition. But what gives something (a product, design, idea, etc.) meaning, is the value proposition. Creating something that makes life easier for any given group of people gives it value because it is then deemed "useful" or "valuable".
"Entrepreneurship involves creating or discovering new ideas or opportunities for the purpose of creating value, whether economic, social, or even political – and forming a new organisation to do so." - Financial Times Lexicon
Similar to the previous definition, the element of value drew me to this quote. While entrepreneurship has more to do with the mechanics of getting a creative idea off the ground and put into action, it still focuses on what value the idea brings to society.
An example of creativity and entrepreneurship in action, is the company "Seed Phytonutrients" This company took the idea for reusable packaging and bioengineering and created an entire new business idea. They use recycled materials that have seeds and spores ingrained in the packaging. This way, when the product is used up, the packaing can be planted to produce new plants! This method has made waves in the packaging field.
This company was started by a small group of executives at L'Oreal, lead by a man named Shane Wolf. Their mission is to protect seeds from over-commercialization and put organic farmers and sustainability first. Seed Phytonutrients only uses cold press and expeller methods to extract oil from their seeds instead of using chemical processes. They then take what is left of their seeds and return it to their farmers to use for animal feed, creating a sustainable process.
Their packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and plastic resulting in 60% less plastic than a traditional bottle. In using recycled materials and local farmers to grow their seeds for them, they have created an innovative new way to conduct a beauty business. Taking their knowledge of how the beauty industry works from their experiences at L'Oreal and shifting their value proposition to focus more on the environment is innovative in and of itself.
Packaging is created by a method that UFP technologies came up with. It uses Molded Fiber Packaging technologies with seeds folded into the material. Because it is derived from all recycled natural materials, the packaging just needs to be soaked in water and planted in soil for the seeds to grow.
Lego Learning Insititue Website
Financial Times Lexicon Website
LEGO Education. “Support – LEGO Education.” Https://Education.lego.com, 2018, education.lego.com/en-us/support.
“Lexicon.” Libor Definition from Financial Times Lexicon, lexicon.ft.com/Term?term=entrepreneurship.
Seed Phytonutrients. “Haircare For People Who Care.” Seed Phytonutrients: Natural Products for Healthy Hair and Skin, www.seedphytonutrients.com/home?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2_yYj9eb4AIVDDFpCh1kZwIyEAAYASAAEgJaQvD_BwE.
UFP Technologies. "Molded Fiber Packaging." https://www.ufpt.com/08-04-14-ufp-technologies-to-exhibit-at-pack-expo-international-2014-free-registration-code.html