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Purple Posts = Term 1

White Posts = Term 2

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Hi, I'm Kalan, I am a year 10 student who is looking forward to completing the Action Project course this semester. The majority of my time is dedicated to my studies, with me completing 2 stage 1 SACE subjects this year. This dedication to my studies lies in my aspirations to attend university as an engineering student. In my free time, I enjoy playing sport, gaming and hanging out with my friends.

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My Results from VIA character survey (completed 3/02/2024)

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VIA Positive Character Attributes Survey

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VIA Positive Character Attributes Survey

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As a part of the 2024 Action Project induction course, we were required to undertake the Values in Action, positive character attributes survey.

This survey helps students to identify the positive traits they possess as a person assisting them in understanding more about who they are.

After taking the test I was presented with my results listing my character strengths from first all the way to the twenty fourth. My top 5 were 1. Curiosity, 2. Judgement, 3. Leadership, 4. Prudence and 5. Fairness.

Initially, these results were surprising to me, however, as I continued to reflect on them, I begun to understand how these values fitted into the puzzle of my life. In fact I found that these traits suited my personality more than any of the other traits on the list.

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Introduction to thinking routines | Week 1

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Introduction to thinking routines | Week 1

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This was my first lesson completing the 2024 Year 10, Action Project course.

To begin we were introduced to convergent and divergent thinking concepts with the '30 circles' and the 'How to Shave a Monkey' activities.

The induction into these ways thinking routines initiated some deep rethinking about effective ideation methods. I found that instead of filtering my ideas before verbalising them with a partner or group, I could try to purely "brain-dump" all my thoughts onto the document or paper.

Just within these two activities I was able to use this kind of thinking to collaborate and communicate effectively with my teammates to turn one one of the less ideal thoughts into a fantastic outcome.

This way of introducing the subject of Action Project, made it an exciting and eye-opening experience. Even within this first lesson I felt intrigued with the introduction to different perspectives and ways of thinking surrounding ideation. Because of this, I am excited to explore how Action Project will change my outlook on ideation (using my critical and creative thinking) and how I communicate and collaborate with others in group settings.

With the aspirations of becoming a future engineer, the skills that I develop throughout this course will play a significant role in assisting me with my future. However, this is not to disregard the fact that I will undoubtedly face many challenges throughout the course.

One of these challenges may be my 'control freak' tendencies. During group assessments I normally take control, however this is not necessarily good as it typically results in me taking the brunt of the workload, putting my other subjects under strain.

But now with this awareness of this issue, I aspire to make an effort to distribute the workload equally and trust that everyone will pull their respective weights.

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This lesson we completed the 'pitch-a-product' activity.

Using the randomised cards we were given, my partner and I brainstormed all the possibilities for a product/service from the prompt of the card. Our prompts were 'must be under $19.99', 'be suitible for 15-19 year olds' and 'related to entertainment'.

This really allowed me and Costa to channel our newly learned concepts of divergent and convergent thinking and put them into action to allow us to generate a plethora of ideas.

While initially we were unsuccessful to create a promising product, the third attempt presented us with the creation of an actually viable product. This was called 'The Project-o-Matic', a portable projector which streamed from your phone while connected to a cord.

After some research we found that this would be a potential cheap alternative for young people due to its small size and cheap retail price. To ensure a cheap retail price we decided that the best solution would be to outsource manufacturing to countries with cheaper labour.

This thinking is all demonstrated on the attached evidence.

Overall, I think that this activity really showed me that when we communicate and collaborate effectively with one another, it is fully possible to create a product for any design specifications.

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Application of Convergent and Divergent Thinking Routines | Week 2

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Application of Convergent and Divergent Thinking Routines | Week 2

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This lesson we completed the tower building exercise.

We were given a packet of raw spaghetti and provided blue-tack and were told to build the tallest tower possible which could still support the weight of a marshmallow.

During this exercise I was teamed up with my table group. After collecting our resources, my team and I sat together and begun to brainstorm the best approach to building this would be.

Using our convergent and divergent thinking skills we came to the conclusion that building a 'pyramidal' structure as a base and then repeating this to build up would be the best approach. This was because it provided both structural support, and height.

Utilising collaboration and communication, the team and I strategically navigated building the mini-pyramids. Three on the bottom, two in the middle and one on the top was what we planned. However, when the timeframe was introduced we began to panic, this lead to an increased sloppiness in the building process which sadly lead to the untimely demise of our tower on the second to last triangle.

shown above in the evidence provided

Reflecting on this failure, I found that it really taught me a lesson that keeping your composure and communicating with one another is imperative to success, even in the most of stressful situations.

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Redesigning a clients lunch experience | Week 2

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Redesigning a clients lunch experience | Week 2

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This lesson we were introduced to the redesigning a partners lunch experience activity.

As individuals we completed the timeline of our lunch break (as shown above in the clients timeline).

I identified that the worst aspect of my lunch break is getting my stuff out of my locker given I was assigned a bottom locker. This means that I am required to wait for those above me to finish putting their materials away before I can access my locker. After swapping the timeline with my client, I identified that his problem was the quality and pricing of the food at the school canteen.

Based on the information we were provided from this timeline we were instructed to start using our convergent and divergent thinking skills to begin brainstorming solutions.

I began to brainstorm potential solutions on my pitch and presentation. I plan to continue to work on the presentation and pitch for homework before the due date on Friday.

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Redesigning a clients lunch experience finalisation | Week 2

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Redesigning a clients lunch experience finalisation | Week 2

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This lesson we continued with our proposal for improving a clients lunch break.

To begin the lesson I went through the task sheet to identify all of the elements I had to include within the presentation to successfully conveyed the solution to the audience. Through this I was able to use convergent and divergent thinking to further extend my solution, create my pitch with a persuasive chatty style and generate AI concept images to visualise the image with my client.

This is shown in the attached slideshow.

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Kalan MASEN - Redesign Your Partner's Lunch Experience

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Persuasive Devices and Quick Pitch | Week 3

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Persuasive Devices and Quick Pitch | Week 3

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This lesson we were introduced to the plethora of persuasive devices which can be utilised for persuasion in infomercials.

In our table groups we were given a specific persuasive technique and assigned to create a speech incorporating the elements of that technique.

The prompt was about the effects of plastic solution to the oceanic wildlife.

We received the technique of a tripartite (a list of three). Based on this we developed a persuasive speech which not only encompassed the technique but successfully portrayed the prompt as a negative issue. To do this I used the 3 major points which resulted in emotional responses within the audience, due to an emotional state bringing the human brain into a point of increased susceptibility to persuasion.

Once finished with this speech we delivered it to class. This resulted in us being provided with very valuable constructive feedback providing us with a great opportunity to refine our persuasion skills before the Spin-Off project.

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To begin the lesson we chose our Spin-Off project groups.

From there we begun to breakdown the requirements of the task and how to meet each of them. We identified what we needed to produce (an infomercial), how we needed to work with one another (effectively communicate and collaborate with one another) and the expectations for our group (pull your weight in the assessment).

After establishing these, we begun ideation of problems impacting councils Australia wide currently. As a group we decided it would be more effective to focus on a bigger, global issues so that our solution would have a greater reach and therefore resulting impact.

Utilising our convergent thinking skills we where able to narrow down the rather large list of problems to a small number of realistic problems to solve.

Finally, we settled on the problem of cyber-insecurity and begun to explore the problems surrounding this, especially around the teenage demographic.

This is shown in the evidence above which is our planning document were we have begun exploring statistics, data and potential solutions to the problem.

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The collated list of potential problems.

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Spin Off Project Problem Brainstorming | Week 4

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Spin Off Project Problem Brainstorming | Week 4

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This lesson we were reshuffled from our chosen groups into randomised ones. This disrupted my initial flow however as we moved into our new groups we begun sharing our respective previous team's brainstorms and compiled a collated list to visualise it (this is shown in the evidence above).

After a long discussion we became rather fixed on the problem of vandalism, specifically graffiti in Adelaide's CBD.

I then begun market research to scout out what solutions major hardware companies had already created to combat this rising concern.

Reflecting, I believe that we have established a really solid foundation for the task and now just need to begin branching off with new ideas. Overall, I have really high hopes for the potential for our solution for the task.

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Spin Off Project Market Research | Week 4

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Spin Off Project Market Research | Week 4

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This lesson we begun working on the research slides for our product (attached as evidence above).

To complete this we communicated with one another and worked collaboratively to allocate roles and identified our strengths and weaknesses when completing tasks similar to Spin-Off. My role was allocated to be the designer of the solution (and all the details surrounding it), completing research on the current market for solutions to vandalism and to begin coming up with a sustainable business model for the product.

As a team we begun using existing solutions to our identified problem in order to begin ideation. We found that there are countless products which do prevent graffiti through paint coatings, but we found that they all included either dangerous or non-environmentally friendly chemicals.

Using this selling point for our product we completed the S.C.A.M.P.E.R thinking routine. This allowed the team to look at the solution from different angles and perspectives. Based on the insight, and feedback provided by peers and teachers on this thinking routine, I begun researching different ways to incorporate our ideas into a potential solution.

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Using online resources and my knowledge of chemistry, I came up with an idea for implementing polymers into the paint coating.

Polymers are widely used in paint coatings to optimise their effectiveness and allow them to remain effective for extended periods of time.

By using current anti-graffiti coatings as inspiration I found additional additives which when included into the compound would allow for increased effectiveness compared to current alternatives.

As a team we concluded that this approach to stopping vandalism would be revolutionary to the community and could result in a major reduction in crime rates and an increase in individuals perceptions of safety.

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Spin Off Project Solution and Commercialisation | Week 5

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Spin Off Project Solution and Commercialisation | Week 5

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This lesson we finalised our problem and the solution.

As a group we collectively decided to solve the problem of vandalism in the Adelaide CBD region.

The solution we propose to this problem is an anti-graffiti surface coating which stops spray paint from bonding to the surface.

Similar to current products on the market, we utilised ingredients which decreased surface tension for the coating, however we added a fluoropolymer resin to the composition to create additional effectiveness of the anti-surface bonding properties.

Further, using the previously completed S.C.A.M.P.E.R brainstorm to how we could modify the product to make it more user accessible. As a team we landed on the potential inclusion of a spray can lid (like those on paint-spray cans). This would not only add a level of dramatic irony to the product whilst making it easier for users to utilise for their own purposes.

Finally, I used the application fotor.ai to create visual reference images for the product and used Canva to refine and create the company logo!

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To begin I completed the proposal slides for the solution. This was done by using online resources and estimations to create accurate manufacturing costs and product timelines.

In class and for homework I used the research we had completed as a team (provided in the slideshow) to start the composition of the script. Using the informercial template as a base, I begun implementing persuasive techniques to compose an infomercial which sold the benefits of our product to the audience.

To ensure this was of a high-quality, I used my family as my "guinea pigs" to test the infomercial script through presenting it to them and getting feedback.

From this I found that using the anecdote for the broken windows initiative exemplified the need to the audience for an effective anti-graffiti/vandalism product, which was suitable for use by the everyday persons, while also being usable by councils and governments for larger scale projects.

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Link to our planning document for Spin-Off.

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Over the weekend I made an effort to complete the script for Spin-Off, and emailed it to my group members to ensure they were happy with the content and quality.

This lesson Isabella was away ill. Due to the task timeframes me and Tejas communicated with her that we needed to film the video without her. She replied that to contribute she would ensure the planning documents were complete.

Tejas verbalised that due to him not being well-versed in the script he would struggle to read it fluently. In turn, he said that if I was to be in the video, he would edit the footage into the final infomercial.

Filming was a long process, taking the whole lesson and still not being perfect. After returning to the classroom and uploading the footage to the editing software, I emailed Isabella the footage to make sure she was happy with the quality.

Reflecting on this lesson, I think this really showed how well we could work as a team when we communicated and collaborated effectively with one another. I think this was the driving factor in us being able to achieve the desired outcomes from the lesson, and thus getting the assessment done in time!

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Article from Renew Economy on Renewables in South Australia

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After reading the Renew Economy article, I was taken aback by how soon these goals, which seem out of reach at first, can be accomplished when everyone shares a similar objective. The effects of renewables after all those years of development are finally on par with current, non-renewable energy.

I believe that in turn, this gives South Australians 'light at the end of the tunnel' against the rising electricity costs, all whilst taking a step in the right direction and setting an example for renewables across the globe.

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Editing of the infomercial in the software, Clipchamp.

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Spin Off Project Infomercial Editing | Week 6

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Spin Off Project Infomercial Editing | Week 6

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During todays lesson I found that whilst Tejas had begun editing, the quality was not as high as me and Isabella would have liked.

I communicated this back to him and said that whilst I appreciated the effort he had made to fit the editing into his busy schedule, I was concerned about the quality of infomercial as it didn't reflect the true amount of effort which went into the project.

He hand-balled the editing to me, and using his prior editing as a scaffold I used the techniques we learnt in class (using stock images and colour manipulation) to masterfully craft the infomercial which both showed the harsh effects of vandalism on the community and how our solution prevented these effects in a more effective way than any other products on the market does.

During that night I spent multiple hours editing the infomercial. I ran it past my parents and they provided me feedback on how I could improve the quality and communication through audio and visuals.

This lead to a continual process of refinement of editing. After multiple hours, I finally completed it and emailed a copy of the completed infomercial to my teammates to ensure they were satisfied.

Whilst I am very proud with my efforts over the last couple of days with writing, editing and producing the infomercial, I think that the communication and collaboration really lacked in the sense that majority of the work fell onto my shoulders.

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Our infomercials were due in the beginning of this lesson, my team had submitted the night before.

During the lesson we watched the other teams infomercials. After watching many of the other team's infomercials, I was presented with the opportunity to reflect on our efforts throughout the Spin-Off project.

Reflecting on our efforts, I believe that whilst we ended up producing an infomercial of high quality which both persuaded about the detriment of vandalism and our solution to it. I feel as if a lack of communication and collaboration within the group lead to less teamwork and more individual work, with majority of the work being completed by myself.

Looking into the future, for the next group assessment (INNOV8) I plan to intentionally plan ahead (timelines and shared team documents) to clearly outline everyones roles and responsibilities within the task.

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This lesson we finished the screening of the classes infomercials. This further allowed me to reflect on how the whole experience of the task went, and what I could improve to better work during the next task.

Additionally, we were prompted by a video about passion. This really posed the question in my mind "what is my passion?"

Reflecting on this, I identified that passion to me is something that you try to invest all your time and energy into it. I believe that nothing seems to matter while you are completing a passion.

However, I didn't now what mine was, so I began to ponder "what is my passion?"

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During this lesson we watched another Spin-Off presentation.

This really allowed me to reflect on the success and failures of the task.

Where did our group do really well in the Spinoff task?

I think that our group did really well in the initial ideation and product design. The thought behind the product was fantastic and extremely innovative!

What improvements would we make if we had the opportunity to do the task again?

I think whilst the ideas behind the product were there, the collaboration and communication as we got to the production of the infomercial somewhat lacked. The workload primarily fell onto my shoulders as people were absent and didn't pick up the excess slack.

What Elements of Collaboration were successful?

The initial collaboration and communication from everyone was fantastic. We were ready to work well with one another and took responsibility for our respective aspects of the task. However, as we progressed through the task this autonomy faded and fell back onto one person to complete the majority of the task.

What improvements could have been made in terms of Collaboration?

The continual taking of responsibility for respective aspects of task rather than waiting for someone to instruct/assign them to it.

What Persuasive Techniques did we use? How effective were these? What evidence do I have of this?

Throughout the informercial we used countless persuasive techniques to persuade our audience of our products superiority, such as:

Triparte. This enhances the effectiveness of the infomercial by enagaging the audience's attention. This is done in the first three lines of the infomercial to grab the readers attention. "Tired of seeing scenes like this sprayed across the walls of your local community?

Infuriated about public money going down the drain addressing a never ending story of vandalism ?

Concerned about the use of toxic chemicals harming our environment during clean-up efforts?"

Anecdotes. This personalises the problem to the audience members, and shows how it could effect their life. Within the text we used this when we talk about the broken windows initiative, "Downtown New York, 1994, and high crime rates were written all over the walls and in the headlines. Confidence in policing had hit an all time low and authorities didn’t know which way to go.

That was, until, armed with the latest in social-science research, the Police Commissioner introduced 'the broken windows initiative'. "

Emotive visuals/words. This effectively persuades the audience to share the perspective in which we, the creators are coming from. An example of this in our infomercial is when we state that Vandal Shield Graffiti Guard "will unleash a superpower that’s destined to wipe out vandalism for good and deter crime in your community."

Imagery. This painted the picture of the problem in the minds of the audience, further demonstrating to them how it effects their lives. This is shown when we say "Tired of seeing scenes like this sprayed across the walls of your local community?"

Statistics. This reinforced the effect of the problem to the audience and exemplified the need for a solution. An example of this in the infomercial is when we quote "$2 billion in public money is wasted every year on time consuming Graffiti removal in Australia", showing the audience the effect of vandalism on their lives.

After this reflection on Spin-Off we began to kickstart our INNOV8 journey by beginning the brainstorming with the catapult cards.

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This lesson we had a surprise padlet progress check.

After being checked, the feedback I received was that I was progressing well with my padlet, my entries were both qualitative and quantitive, in the sense I had made sure to have quality entries for everything we covered in class. I was also told to keep up the good work!

Reflecting on this feedback and on my progression on the padlet, I believe that I have made a great effort to keep up to date with my padlet and provide quality content in entries.

Projecting to the future, I aspire to continue to work at this pace so that I am not crunched for time to complete a major portion of the assessment in a short time.

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Pitch-a-product 'Career Connect' | Week 8

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Pitch-a-product 'Career Connect' | Week 8

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This lesson, we were given 60 minutes to create, develop and pitch a product or solution based on the provided catapult cards.

Based on our cards, we collectively decided to develop an app which helps employers connect to individuals searching for jobs. We found that not only did this idea have potential to be an innovative solution for the job market, but had major money making possibilities.

We named the app, "Career Connect" (hence the aim of the app) and the slogan "Forge your path, connect your career".

I found that this completely encapsulated what we thought the creation embodied. Personally I found that the slogan really captivated the audience and summarised what the app was about without them even needing to open it.

Reflecting on this I identified the great significance of branding in the role of businesses success and how communication is imperative to getting things done when you are crunched for time.

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During this lesson we begun our ideation for the INNOV8 task.

Last lesson when I was absent and was placed into a group with my table. As a team we begun to communicate our passions with one another, so that we could gauge potential problems for the task.

Based on this initial brainstorm we begun to create a list of potential problems for the task (we planned to use more global issues), some of these were:

1. Child/slave labour in developing countries.

2. Poverty & economic diversity.

3. Political & economic instability.

4. Food insecurity.

From this lesson, I really begun to sympathise with the issues that millions were facing across the globe. Not only did this help me to empathises with people suffering from these issues, but to find problems which I was passionate about and could create a fabulous solution to!

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This lesson my team and I further progressed with the INNOV8 task.

We were encouraged to think outside of the box from the issues we had initially brainstormed. This resulted in a very productive half an hour with us ideating all the potential problems we could use and how we could solve them.

Suddenly, I had an idea. What if we were to create a virtual changing room?

I know that like me, many others around the globe are constantly frustrated when they buy a piece of clothing online and it either doesn't fit, or it doesn't look good. An online marketplace were individuals could try on clothes would revolutionise online shopping. As a team we begun using the S.C.A.M.P.E.R thinking routine in order to enhance the initial idea.

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INNOV8 Market/Problem Research | Week 10

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INNOV8 Market/Problem Research | Week 10

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During this lesson we were presented with the opportunity to continue adding to our padlets. Over the last few weeks I have ensured that after each lesson I was updating my padlet with consistent reflections. As a result, my padlet was up to date and required slight refining. After going through and checking over my padlet, I begun surfing the web to continue our ideation for INNOV8.

I came across an article about the influx of major brands implementing Virtual Fitting Rooms to benefit customer satisfaction when purchasing their clothes online. Whilst this shows the growing trends of individual brands using this, after further research I found there was nothing about it being universally implemented. The demand is obviously there given its exisiting implementation, meaning that this could definitely be capitalised by our group as a part of the INNOV8 project.

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INNOV8 Empathy Map and How Might We Questions | Week 12

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INNOV8 Empathy Map and How Might We Questions | Week 12

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To begin this term my team developed some 'How Might We Questions' for how the problem of customer disatisfaction when shopping online.

1. How might we simplify the online clothing shopping experience to better replicate the tactile and visual aspects of in-store browsing, enhancing customer satisfaction?

2. How might we personalize the online shopping journey for each customer to better meet their unique preferences and needs, reducing dissatisfaction and increasing engagement?

3. How might we improve the accuracy of size recommendations and fit descriptions for online clothing purchases, minimizing the likelihood of returns and increasing customer satisfaction?

The development of these questions prompted a very efficient group discussion. We had the insight that the underlying factor causing this, are the inconsistencies of sizing and fit between countries and/or brands.

We also identified that changing already existing systems would be inefficient, however implementing a new system which solved all these factors in one would allow customers to experience peace of mind when shopping and be happy when they recieved their items.

From this starting point, the team and I begun the development of an empathy map (shown above). We used a customer profile to show the impacts the modern age of ecommerce is having on the new generation, with online being 'the new in-store' and the common dissapointment of opening a package to recieve something which was completely different to what it looked like online.

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During this lesson we continued on with the process of problem validation.

The team scoured the web for current implementations of the virtual wardrobe. We discovered that whilst there was slight variations within its individual implementations, there was no universal application to allow customer to try on clothes from different retailers at the same time.

Furthermore, to validate this problem as 'worth solving' we sent out a survey to the Year 10 cohort to develop a deeper understanding into the perspective of a potential customer.

To our surprise the feedback clearly identified that this problem was most definetly worth solving, with over 70% of students recalling that they had been dissapointed with a product they had purchased online, and over 80% stating they would use an application to accurately try on clothes online.

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This lesson I began working on a draft user interface for the Wardrobe Wizard AI application.

Using a piece of software called 'Uizard' and big brands as an example, I was able to develop a prototype home, wardrobe, styling and cart pages. Whilst they were not perfect they accurately represented how we ideally wanted to design the UI of the app once development began.

Whilst many errors within the software occured during the 3 days it took for development, the usage of youtube and stack overflow allowed for systematic debugging and in turn a successful prototype.

This is shown in the video above. A preview to this can also be found through the link: https://app.uizard.io/p/153d13c7

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Using our team planning from the past two weeks the team and I began the development of our marketing pitch.

To begin, we developed a 'role-document'. This acted as an accountability document were everyones roles were displayed as well as estimated timeframes of when each of us needed to get them completed. We identified this as a way to help us keep on top of the pitch and minimise individual stress-levels.

Subsequently, we begun the development of our presentation slides. Using the customer profile (shown in the week 12 entries) we were able to build the beginning of the script around this central anecdote. Being a persuasive technique, this allowed the audience to see an overwhelming necessity for the product and in turn be more inclined to show interest.

Furthermore, I begun on my role of creating the slides to match with the UI draft I developed. I found that to do this effectively, a website draft was also another key aspect to show on the slides. I went back to the drawing board of Uizard and after multiple hours of trial and error, completed a draft for the UI for the website.

Overall, the usage of these types of accountability documents has lead to a significant increase in productivity from the team. This has resulted in better work output and quality. From this I am confident that we will not only make the due date but be able to create an engaging and effective marketing pitch and presentation.

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Informed Development of App Funding | Week 13

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Informed Development of App Funding | Week 13

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This lesson we continued on with the development of our buisness for the INNOV8 marketing pitch.

My team and I have developed a rather sustainable workflow, where we would each draft our respective scripts and then use our editing skills to add flow throughout all our respective parts to ensure there is a consistent tone and use of devices.

As Maksim was away at Duke of Ed, I took over the role of completing the financing for our buisness. I used reputable sources to estimate operational costs, as well as advertisment costs, projected revenue and return on investment. This research allowed me to develop an estimated investment cost needed from the 'investors' to facilitate a start-up of the Wardrobe Wizard AI buisness.

After double checking with my team, and presenting this draft to overseers, I was confident that these finances accurately presented reasonable investment costs, whilst not overestimating streams of revenue.

Given the completion of this and the teams active involvment in the completion of their respective parts of the pitch, next lesson I anticipate that we are ready to practice and refine our script and presentation.

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The following is the feedback provided by the judges after the INNOV8 marketing pitch.

Explaining problem

Good persuasive techiques.

Great opening.

Good problem and practical application.

Could you further compare this to existing solutions through research?

Could the AI also be integrated with user weight and color theory?

Solution

Great opening to a solution.

Could there be a privacy issue?

Could we further flesh-out the partnerships?

Presentation

Thoroughly and clearly presented.

Catchy name and well thought out logo.

Authentic idea.

Well-thought way of dealing with competition

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Presenting our marketing pitch to the class was an interesting experience that enabled us to demonstrate our communication skills. I found that the viewing of other's pitches was a helpful exercise in identifying effective and ineffective techniques as a member of the audience. This allowed us to reflect on our own use of these techniques and integrate them to further strengthen our own pitch.

The feedback we recieved effectively allowed us to identify our weaker areas and improve on them. Before presenting our marketing pitch, we had thought purely of our virtual wardrobe as a place for user to try on clothes, rather than a personal stylist, like suggested by one of the judges. After recieving this feedback, we realised that the integration of a 'personal stylist' which accounted for color theory, layering and proportion sizes would greatly add to the desire for our app.

By acting on this feedback, we believe that we effectively strengthened our perception of our buisness, by accounting for these additional user elements it would not only increase the prevalence of user interest in the app, but the uniquness of Wardrobe Wizard AI on the vast horizon of similar AI tools.

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Checklist created to aid in preparation for the exhibition

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The aim of the lessons following our marketing pitch presentation and the INNOV8 expo is to prepare for our stall.

To be successful when doing this, we found that we had to ensure our stall successfully connected with our audience in the short attention span we had from them. This required eye-catching items such as marketing posters and props, infographical and informative business cards, pamphlets, and an compelling elevator pitch. To ensure we could create this, we implemented another role document and a comprehesnsive checklist (as shown above) which clearly outlined our individual roles.

Given our success with the marketing pitch, I began working on refining the pitch into a short, sharp 1-minute elevator pitch. Using our original 5-minute pitch as a scaffold, I took the key statistics and persuasive techniques, with personal research on the best way to format this into a 120-word elevator pitch which followed the hook, value, evidence, differentiator, and call to action format.

The drafted pitch is as follows:

"Have you ever been disappointed with an item you bought online?

Like many Australians, you are not alone. Auspost reports that in 2023, 76% of Australians shop online, with over 96% being disappointed with an item they received.

There is no hope for everyday people to receive exactly what they want, until now.

Introducing Wardrobe Wizard AI, the new and improved virtual wardrobe and personal stylist.

Unlike existing virtual wardrobes, Wardrobe Wizard AI is entirely tailored to you.

By utilizing AI scanning technology, Wardrobe Wizard AI measures your individual dimensions allowing for accurate fit of individual clothing pieces.

Join us in revolutionizing the future of e-commerce with Wardrobe Wizard AI!"

Note: This is the first draft and was edited further as shown in the 'reflecting on the elevator pitch' post.

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Visual presentation which went alongside our marketing pitch script

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Breaking Down the Marketing Pitch Feedback | Week 15

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Breaking Down the Marketing Pitch Feedback | Week 15

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What worked well?

Several persuasive techniques were effectively employed, making the presentation compelling and convincing. These techniques included a clear identification of the problem, marketing insights, and emotional appeals tailored to the target audience.

The presentation started with a strong hook, capturing the audience's attention immediately. This initial engagement was crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the presentation, keeping the audience interested and invested.

By clearly defining the problem and supporting it with substantial evidence, the pitch established credibility. The detailed problem statements, backed by data and real-life examples, helped the audience understand the need for the solution offered by Wardrobe Wizard AI.

The catchy name "Wardrobe Wizard AI" coupled with the slogan "style without limits" added memorability to our brand identity.

What feedback did you receive?

To further solidify our product as the 'best' universal solution on the market we needed to further highlight potential competitors and other existing applications of this technology on the current market.

To add more functionality to the app we could also employ an Ai personal 'stylist' which uses colour theory and information gathered about the users 'style' to suggest outfits and pieces of clothing.

To emphasize user safety in trusting our app, we could further elaborate on how we plan to employ end-to-end encryption servers.

How will you move forward and make changes based on this feedback?

We plan to further 'flesh-out' our competitors and other existing products in a refined version of our marketing pitch.

Emphasize user safety by elaborating on how we plan to employ end-to-end encryption servers.

What did other groups do really well? What ideas inspired you?

Effective use of visuals, including informative videos/mock ups and data infographics, helped in conveying the complex information in a more easily digestible format. This technique enhanced the overall clarity and impact of other's presentations.

Some groups used interactive demonstrations to engage the audience effectively. This approach made their presentations more stimulating and allowed the audience to experience the product firsthand.

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Wardrobe Wizard AI - The INNOV8IVE Solution to Ecommerce [Khanh, Maksim, Costa & Kalan]

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Refined and finalised elevator pitch categorized (by colour) into each group members individual speaking role.

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Reflecting on the Elevator Pitch | Week 16

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Reflecting on the Elevator Pitch | Week 16

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Working on refining the pitch into a short elevator pitch taught us the importance of concise communication. Translating a comprehensive 5-minute script into a brief 1-minute pitch required us to focus on the most impactful elements of our message. This process highlighted the value of each word and the necessity of clear, persuasive language.

One challenge we faced was ensuring our pitch was engaging and memorable despite its short length. To address this, we incorporated a strong hook and a clear call to action, which we believe will resonate with our audience.

Feedback from our peers and teachers was instrumental in shaping the final pitch. They provided insights on what aspects were compelling and what needed more clarity. This iterative process of drafting and refining based on feedback was crucial to our success.

Looking ahead, we recognize the potential for further improvement. For future pitches, we plan to incorporate more direct customer testimonials and perhaps a brief demonstration to make our message even more tangible and convincing.

Overall, this experience has been invaluable in teaching us how to effectively communicate our product's value and uniqueness in a limited timeframe. We are excited to present our refined pitch at the INNOV8 expo and confident that it will make a lasting impression on our audience.

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Above is the frontal design for Wardrobe Wizard AI's buisness card.

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Buisness Card Development [Front View] | Week 17

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Buisness Card Development [Front View] | Week 17

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Using the feedback we received from the pitch, we decided to develop business cards for the expo. These cards serve as a tangible reminder of our business for potential customers and stakeholders. To ensure our business cards were effective, we researched examples from larger corporations, identifying key design elements that made their cards stand out.

We opted for a design featuring a larger back print of our logo and slogan, while reserving the front for concise information such as our location, email, and web address.

After gathering feedback, we found that adding a direct link, such as a QR code to a mockup of our app would be beneficial for customers. This allows potential customers to easily explore our product. We incorporated this suggestion and refined the design to ensure it was visually appealing, using colors and fonts aligned with our brand identity.

The result was professional and informative business cards that effectively represent Wardrobe Wizard AI and engage potential customers at the INNOV8 exhibition. By focusing on these elements, we created business cards that leave a lasting impression and provide essential information in a clear and attractive manner.

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Utilising a QR code to Provide Tangible Evidence of our App | Week 17

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Utilising a QR code to Provide Tangible Evidence of our App | Week 17

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After thorough research and communication with friends in the year above we were able to identify the successes and failures of their buinsess last year.

They shared that whilst there underlying buisness idea showed promise and their implementation of it was effective in developing attractive posters and buisness cards, the lack of tangible evidence of their buisness was a flaw pointed out by a judge.

To use this as a building block, we identified that by using QR codes linked to our demo, we could actively engage our audience and thus improve interactions with our buisness.

With potential customers developing a deeper understanding into the functionality of the Wardrobe Wizard AI app, it also allowed us to gauge analytics about the strengths and weaknesses of our mock-up. This was done through the traditional thumbs up and down system, providing valuable feedback to how we could further develop the app.

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Buisness Card Development [Back view] | Week 17

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Buisness Card Development [Back view] | Week 17

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Above is a view of the back of our buisness cards featuring a prominent logo and catchy slogan.

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The poster designed to be the central focus of our stall at the exhibition.

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Another element we sought to encompass as a buisness was to be eye-catching and attractive to customers. To ensure these posters were impactful, we began by researching successful examples from larger corporations and identified key design elements that make these visual aids stand out.

After thorough brainstorming, we opted for a larger centrepiece design which featured our logo and slogan to reinforce our brand identity. High quality images and concise, powerful text conveyed our unique selling points as a buisness.

After gathering feedback from peers and teachers, we made refinements to enhance the effectiveness of our banners and posters. This included adjusting font sizes, optimizing color contrast, and ensuring that the messaging was both clear and compelling.

The result was a set of professional and visually appealing banners and posters that effectively represent Wardrobe Wizard AI and engage potential customers at the INNOV8 exhibition. By focusing on these elements, we created visual aids that not only attract attention but also communicate our brand's value succinctly and memorably.

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Highlighted yellow is changes made to the script.

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INNOV8 Refining the Marketing Pitch and Presentation | Week 18

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INNOV8 Refining the Marketing Pitch and Presentation | Week 18

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Using the feedback we received after our marketing pitch, I decided to re-evaluate our presentation and pitch to enhance its effectiveness for the INNOV8 exhibition.

When pitching to an audience rather than investors, it's better to remove the financials and stakeholders from the presentation. These elements can hinder attention span and reduce engagement.

Furthermore, I identified that adding specific examples of the current market would demonstrate to the audience how our business stands out from existing solutions. This differentiation is further reinforced by using visuals, which are more impactful than words alone.

During the period between the marketing pitch and the expo, we refined our idea by adding the personal stylist functionality. This new feature encompasses aspects like color theory and weight integration, enhancing the uniqueness and appeal of our product.

These insights led to additions and adjustments to our slides, ensuring we are well-prepared for the exhibition.

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This is the central banner we decided to implement, containing our brands colour scheme, logo and slogan in an attractive format.

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Overall, the collaboration and communication between group members leading up to the exhibition was excellent. Our usage of multi-chanel communication ensured we were both thorough and equal with our preparation. Personally, knowing the amount and effectiviness of our preparation, I felt excited to expose others to the wonders of Wardrobe Wizard AI!

However, days before the exhibition disaster struck. I became rather unwell with COVID-19 and could not be present. But all the preparation we had done as a team allowed the others to take the front-seat and carry-out our place in the enterprise section by themselves. Their strong-will and resilliance allowed us to secure a top 3-position.

This experience has really showed me the true strength of resiliance and the fact that not everything always proceeds as initially planned, but adapting and persevering can lead to even greater outcomes.

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This is one of the slides added/refined during the editing process of our original marketing pitch. The decision to refine this was made to ensure we were well prepared if we finished in top 3 during the expo.

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Throughout this project, our team’s communication was overall very efficient. We utilized a variety of communication channels, including email, messages, and verbal discussions, to stay connected and up-to-date. Regular updates and feedback loops ensured that everyone was on the same page and could contribute effectively to our goals. This multi-channel communication strategy was crucial for quickly addressing issues and making collaborative decisions.

However, one area that we identified for improvement was our tendency to procrastinate. While our communication was strong, we sometimes delayed action on tasks, which impacted our efficiency. To combat this, we need to implement stricter deadlines and perhaps more frequent check-ins to ensure we stay on track. Addressing procrastination will help us be more proactive and make better use of our time.

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During The Expo [The Feedback] | Week 20

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During The Expo [The Feedback] | Week 20

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Strengths:

Our product was presented and delivered to the audience very effectively.

Our deep understanding and passion for our buisness made for a more effective explanation and pitch.

The use of a publicly avaliable mock-up of the app, helped our audience to have a greater understanding of the product and its many features.

The thorough preparation we did ensured that throughout the expo there were minor errors in pitching and the overall presentation of our product.

Weaknesses:

Reading off of the elevator and marketing pitch scripts reduced the authenticity of the presentation of our buisness.

The lack of preparation for the final pitch led to there being a last-minute scramble to try and improve it, leading to the pitch seeming messy and unproffessional.

Improvements:

Intentionally memorising, or only using que cards would result in a more sincere delivery and thus engage the audience more effectively.

To avoid last-minute scrambles and ensure a proffessional pitch and presentation, we could have split our resources, with two of us beginning to work on refining the pitch and presentation and the other two continuing on with preparation for the physical stall.

To further enhance the positivity of user interactions with the mockup, we could have added a demonstration of how the scanning feature would work. This would allow the audience to really experience Wardrobe Wizard AI to its fullest capability.

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After the experience of the expo I felt energised by the prospect of our top 3 finish. This really reinforced that hardwork and effecive collaboration can actually pay off, even if what we produced was not without its flaws.

From feedback provided by both judges and our audience at the expo it was obvious that we had created and developed a smart and innovative solution to a complex and common problem. A common comment made from audience members was that we were clearly very passionate about our app. Truly reflecting our long and tough process of iterative development.

Reflecting on our teams overwhelming success at the expo, I feel that a major factor in this was our efficient and effective collaboration and thorough communication with one another. Our regular team discussions allowed us to share ideas and provide constructive feedback, ensuring that everyone was aligned with our goals and strategies. This clear communication facilitated a cohesive presentation at the expo, as each team member knew their role and how to contribute effectively.

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Action Project Final Reflection | Week 21 

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Action Project Final Reflection | Week 21 

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From this experience, I have gained valuable insights into effective methods of communication, problem-solving and critical and creative thinking. Throughout the course I have identified the importance of concise communication, not only in the context of presentation but between team members and in our daily lives. Furthermore, I have also developed my understanding of how to effectively engage an audience, through the use of persuasive techniques such as a hook, visuals, interactivity and emotional appeal. Additionally, my understanding of problem solving and design thinking has completely shifted. Initially, my process of design was linear where I would ideate, draft and finalise without drastically altering the initial thought. However, after experiencing the course I have embraced a more iterative approach, constantly seeking feedback, improving and even restarting to ensure the final product is something that I am truly proud to have created.

Throughout the Action Project course, the use of group projects have assisted in the development of my understanding of the 5C’s. Specifically, the random assignment of groups during the Spin-Off project provided a level of challenge to communicating and collaborating effectively. Working with people who I had never talked to before showed me the importance of playing to my character strengths, especially leadership, to establish effective methods of communication with one another. The ‘free choice’ in terms of style for our problems to take action on allowed me to implement what I had learnt about effective design thinking, resulting in my creative thinking flourishing.

The problem solving and design thinking skills I have developed throughout the action project course will continue to assist me into my future, especially given my aspirations of becoming an engineer. The further development of a wider problem perspective and more creative approach will assist me with tackling challenges as an engineer, especially if it is design based. Additionally, the development of my communication and collaboration skills as I worked in teams throughout Action Project will foster a more effective environment when working with future teams to innovate new solutions to challenging problems.

I faced many challenges throughout the course, especially managing the overplaying of my character strength of leadership. Through my experiences working with others I found myself feeling rather stressed about whether the task would get completed on time. This was especially prevalent during Spin-Off as the distribution of teams resulted in communication outside of school becoming near-impossible. To address and resolve this inner conflict for myself, I noticed that I began ‘taking over’ the responsibilities and roles. Whilst I found this to be effective initially, the ‘dictatorship’ style of leadership did not prove to be successful! I had to find strategies to calm my mind and stop overthinking.

As a learner, this course has assisted me in the development of invaluable skills by honing my ability to research, iteratively develop, problem solve and thinking critically and creatively about a plethora of problems. Furthermore, it is clear that from the beginning to the conclusion I have made strides in understanding and applying the concepts of design thinking. Initially, the phrases ‘convergent’ and ‘divergent thinking’ were purely words to me, but as I have grown through actioning these skills, they have shown me not only their application in free-range creative projects, but even in specified studies.

On a more personal level, Action Project has enriched my knowledge of my own strengths and weaknesses, deepened my understanding of how to effectively communicate and collaborate as a team member and unearthed my new found passion for fashion.