Vision is the bottleneck of talent. Most talent is wasted because people do not clearly know what they want. It’s not a lack of effort but a lack of direction. There are many capable people in the world, but relatively few that focus on what matters. ~James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits
Create your project plan as a google doc, google slides, or pdf. It's up to you.
Your file name or header should contain the words "YourName Project Plan."
If you are working as a team, you should work on the proposal together. Make sure it has both of your names on it. You will each need to submit the same exact proposal.
Forget Perfect. Make Progress.
Just Start! Think Progress/Iteration Over Perfection!
Take Action! Make Decisions!
When you come to a fork in the road, make another decision!
The Road Will Reveal Itself. Take A Step And Trust The Process
Constantly iterate your project plan over the course of the semester.
It may grow and/or shrink over the course of the semester. Don't worry about "getting it right." The creative process is messy.
For your project plan, you will be building upon your project plan outline: Why + What + How and adding Who (Your Audience).
Motivation / Intentions—The Why
An intention is a commitment to a process.
Why are you doing this project?
What are you exploring or discovering here? What questions are you asking? Do you love your idea? Does it feel right on instinct? Are you willing to commit to this project? Are you willing to live, sleep, and eat with this project?
Show and discuss prior work as evidence of your ability to engage in this project.
Influences
List other artists, designers, creative technologists, and/or entrepreneurs & their work that influences your work.
Do you remember the course, ideation & prototyping? What are your **inputs**? (i.e. books, articles, videos, exhibitions, podcasts, etc.)
Project Statement / Goal—The What
What is your project about?
What are your project's theme(s) or conceptual underpinnings? (Think 1 to 3 hashtags.)
What is your project's "elevator pitch"? Think phrase or 1 sentence maximum.
What is your short, project description? Write a 200-300 word paragraph that addresses four of the five essential questions:
why (see motivation/intentions and influences below)
what (see related projects, research, design, and development below)
who (see target audience below) and
how (see resources, project milestones/plans, and risks & challenges below) about your project.
Target Audience
Who is this project for? Please note that everyone is not a valid answer. Target is the keyword here.
Who cares? Who will care? Who is your target audience?
What do you want your target audience to experience when they interact with your project?
Competitive Analysis / Related Projects
Compare and contrast at least 3 similar projects by other artists, designers, or creative technologists to yours.
Who or what are your competitors? How will it be positioned (branding) and differentiated (market and competitors or like works)?
Resources
Including, but not limited to:
List of Collaborators, Participants, Advisors, and "Outside" critics (People and their roles).
Be Specific. First & Last Names and URLs if available
Materials & Vendors List
Include URLs or physical addresses if necessary
Technical requirements
Software and hardware
Budget
Include materials costs, software/hardware costs, work for hire costs, shipping costs
You should decide what kinds of resources are most appropriate for your project. (What assets do you require?)
Project Milestones / Plans—The How
A plan is the definition of a process.
How are you achieving this?
Break down your milestones into actionable tasks using a system of your choice. I highly recommend Personal Kanban. Another system that is popular with students is the Bullet Journal. However, neither is required if you have another system with prioritization as a focus. If you do have another system, please share it with the instructor.
All actionable tasks should start with a verb (i.e. write, call, email, build, code, collect, etc.), and can be completed in a day.
Also, be specific with your tasks. (For example, "take 20 photographs" is more explicit than "take photographs". "Take 5 photos of tigers, 5 photos of bears, 5 photos of lizards, and 5 photos of cats" is more explicit than "take 20 photographs".)
You can also use analog systems, but make sure you document them and post it to your process website. For more info, visit Process Website / Project Mgt.
For creating and tracking your milestones and actionable tasks, you don't need a fancy system or tool. Google Docs or Google Sheets works just fine. However, other tools, besides google docs, that you can use to track your milestones progress are:
You should decide what kinds of research / reference / influences are most appropriate for your project.
Design
Including, but not limited to, design sketches, process maps, drawings, wireframes / schematics, storyboards, comps, mood boards, concept boards, screenshots, videos, diagrams, images
You should decide the most appropriate medium of delivery and which processes are most appropriate for your project.
Development
Prototype(s) – including, but not limited to, exercises, tests, models, maquettes, animatics
You should know what the concept of a prototype is but, if you do not know, a prototype “is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.”
As a result, a prototype can take on many forms. Essentially, it is your project or aspects of your project in an unfinished form.
You should decide what kinds of prototype(s) are most appropriate for your project.
