Reflection & Insights
My Creative Process
When I was given the project brief, it got me thinking about what my creative process is. I studied journalism before entering the marketing sector and learned about sales and advertisement, which paved my way to communication design. Reviewing my past projects and workflow, I often categorize ideas and concepts into visuals and sounds. Mass communications focus on the use of words, photos, agendas, videos etc., where they all focus on visuals and sound as means of communication. I realized that I too was heavily focusing on using visual designs and graphics to communicate, but there is much more to just words and colours when it comes to conveying messages.
Another characteristic I found in my creative process is that I prefer to use designs and ideas that I have explored before. Before this project, I always aimed for safer success, but in “What Do You Smell” I stepped outside my comfort zone slightly and ventured into the world of olfactory design. Although I still included illustrations and printed designs in this project, the use of scent taught me a lot more about how to express personal ideas, emotions, concepts, and stories other than verbal communication and written words.
Personal Touch in Personal Work
It is funny to look back at the start of the project, where I started to push myself towards putting personal emotions, stories and ideas into my work. Being a journalist values the importance of having a neutral stance. But in communication design, it's shifting towards personal value and cultural background, where our interests and opinions are valued as important as the fact itself.
I hope to embed more of my values and ideas into my future work, rather than following trends and embracing what others think is good. When I put myself in a different environment, I found out that my cultural background, personal values and perspective are unique and special, in a way that can be my branding and style.
“What Do You Smell” is a project I hope to help myself to generate more ideas through scent-related memories, but at the same time spread the message of the importance of scent in the creative world.