It’s not until we actually take the time to really break down a concept or an everyday action that we realize how complicated it actually it is to someone who is unfamiliar.
The assignment for this week was to draw out the steps to make toast without using any words, only visuals. In my mind it seemed easy, but as I started to draw I realized I kept missing important steps because they were little things that most people do automatically, like plugging in the toaster and setting the dial. Things like this could either make or break the process for someone unfamiliar with making toast having to follow instructions. It made me think how I would feel being on the other side of the situation having to follow instructions that were missing steps. But there is also a fine line between not enough steps and too many steps, as I learned in the next task.
To take this to another level, for the next task we were told to write out the steps of doing laundry. In groups, instead of using one large sheet like the toast assignment, we each had to write down the steps on separate sticky notes, while also having no verbal communication with each other.
When everyone was finished we all placed our notes on a cork board in sequential order, but still were not allowed to talk. Now we had to dwindle down 42 sticky notes to only a select few (10-15) that we all agreed on. A lot of people had the same steps so it was easy to agree on what belonged and some people even had a step or two that others forgot about but was necessary to complete the laundry process. It started off slow but then picked up as each member was able to pick out the correct step and receive acknowledgment visually from the other members, and in the end we were able to finish with 14 sticky notes.
It’s one thing to work alone on something like this and have it be easy because there is no one around to critique or disagree with you on what belongs and what doesn’t, but I found that working in a group was much more productive. Even though it may have taken longer, because of having to hear (or in this case see) everyone’s input, the end result produced a better output due to collaboration from others.
