Thursday 22nd May
Evaluation interviews
 


We hold the 2nd interview with Maggie and Stephanie as the partners and Lab co-directors, reflecting on the Lab experience specifically the development work.

They acknowledge that they are now much clearer on the difference between the 'Lab' approach and their normal way of working. The Lab is much more fluid, less structured, encouraging individuals to work in response to others. They still feel that a clear articulation of this at the outset would have been beneficial, stressing the importance of more preparatory work before the Lab begins, particularly through shared directorship of the process.

Stephanie sees the discomfort involved in working in this open ended way as both pleasurable and challenging. Both she and Maggie would have found an environment other than the College more conducive to creative collaboration. A different location would have been more beneficial to them as individuals, removing them from their usual place of work and their daily responsibilities. Maggie withdrew from participating in the Lab for that reason.

They question the product focus of the Lab and feel there is too much emphasis on product ideas and not enough open - ended play. They acknowledge that this might have arisen within individual participants trying to justify 'time off work'.

They raise the importance of disseminating the experience of the Lab through the proposed website and also of building the appropriate infrastructure to sustain creativity within the industry.

 
Reflection and synthesis
 


CG: We discuss our presentation tomorrow at the 'allies' day for funders and stakeholders – Who is coming? How should we structure it? We develop a programme for the day.

We also discuss the future use of the College facilities for further project development. A lot of things suddenly seem possible.

There is frantic finishing and presentation of work. In two hours the studio is transformed from a chaotic mess into a show room. It is amazing how everyone went into 'total professional' mode - all calm and efficient. It's looking good.

We go into town for dinner - the best Chinese so Margaret says. Heather and Susan go to see Margaret's shop, Fibres. They arrive at the restaurant flaunting new 'neckwear' - fabulous hanks of fibre. We discuss drawing. We laugh a lot.

 
Quote of the day
 


"A drawing a day keeps insecurity away"

SB: Through the dynamics and momentum of the core group, we have arrived at coherent presentations.

The group presentation is really effective for considering where we all started on the first day. Heather's graphic 'branding' is a brilliant piece of lateral thinking and making. It bodes well for future marketing of a range of new products inspired by the lab, and for the Maakin Lab idea itself, in due course. Heather and I keen to develop our garments and neckpieces. All projects show developmental potential.

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