Self(study)ies

Protocol

Etching of a scholar in his study1.  Produce an image of you studying and/or your equipment for study. It ought to capture moments of intense study or moments of free time when playing with materials or ideas becomes possible, when the expectations for productivity and efficiency are left idle when individuals put a pause on their outcomes-based learning to take time to get lost, repeat themselves, wander, stumble upon a question when individual experiences create intellectual vertigo, and when the impulse to do busy-work is suspended unleashing another rhythm to educational life.

2.  Write about what you see in the self(study)ies. What does the image reveal about the conditions that make the study possible for you as a studier? Think about contextual (time, place, objects), physical (rest, relaxation, or tension), and psychological (mood) conditions that the image reveals.

Background

Selfies are usually personal branding or image crafting to convey the message of living up to expectations of a successful, beautiful, productive, exciting, and fulfilling life. For this protocol, we want to hack into and render inoperative the function of the selfie turning it into a self(study)ie or a self-portrait of you as a studier.

Protocol Working Group

Tyson E. Lewis, Art Education Graduate Program Coordinator and Professor, University of North Texas, United States of America

James Thurman, Metalsmithing and Jewelry Program Coordinator and Associate Professor, University of North Texas, United States of America
 

Submitted Content

Comments

Comment: 
Unfortunately I couldn't take a selfie due to the cramped space that I work at. I wanted a picture that would show the entire space and the amount of clutter that is constantly there. Naturally that is my fault, since I should keep projects in their bags or anywhere else if I'm not working on them at the moment. I find myself placing my laptop on multiple pieces of paper while I work on writing assignments, while my reasearch is usually done outside of this space.

Comment: 
I often find that when I have to watch online lectures, or educational videos, I get distracted easily and doodle in my notes. This current quarantine which has moved my education online has made focus difficult for me. I recorded myself listening to an online lecture, and I was very quick to pick up my pencil and start drawing in my notebook instead. I am sitting at my desk and I have all the tools I need to be studying, but I am just not using those tools for their intended purpose in that context. I need to retrain my brain and my focus, and my environment doesn't help or hinder those. The image of myself shows I am clearly deep in thought, just on the wrong thing at that time.

Comment: 
Due to my lack of a studio space, I take over half the dining room table which becomes my studio and place of study. I turn this space into a place for art making, researching, studying, and writing. My self(study)ie may looked like a cramped space of clutter, but actually it embodies organized chaos. There is a process and beauty to the mess. It is important for my space to have a sense of aesthetic and beauty, hence the flowers. I leave half the dining table like this because for art making I need to be in the right frame of mind. Thus, it is imperative that I can pick up where I left off and not have to clean up my art supplies daily.

Comment: 
I do use my dining table as a place to store and make my art, but instead of showing that I wanted to show how I usually function while I am doing my homework. Especially now that we are all at home every day, my free time and school life blend together. I wanted to show the casualness of my workspace and how easily distracted I get from being at home and being bored. I have my laptop open all day, and I periodically do my homework on it, but then I always get distracted and pick up my phone and scroll for an hour, and then I read one of my many books I just got from the library, and it’s a vicious cycle that goes on all day where I am constantly distracted by the things around me.

Comment: 
I decided to take two selfies to explore the differences and similarities between my art studio/station and my homework station. The similarities are brief: I have a system of organization for both and recognize the importance of placement. There was a long list of differences which helped me to really understand my processes for creating art and doing homework. My art station is in my living room because I like to be social and listen to music with the window open, letting the natural light spill in. Background noises are welcome. My homework station is in my room where I always have the door closed and the shades drawn. It is apparent through evaluating the two photos that my art station is a peaceful, fun, experimental environment while my homework is a place of isolation and seriousness, inviting no distractions or noises.

Comment: 
I have two pictures for two of my spaces. I have one for my art projects, and one for my homework. My spaces dont consistently stay set up. I will always work somewhere, but clean it all up. As for my art space, I prefer to work on the floor of my bedroom. Under my bed, I have huge bins of art supplies. I set up what I need all around my floor and work on a foam board. If I need something as I am working, I will pull out the bins and keep going. This will all get cleaned up, reset up, and so on. As for homework, I find that I need to be sitting up right with everything organized. I will either sit at the desk in my bedroom, with the assignment I am working on laid out, as well as my computer. I will also use the kitchen dining room table, this prevents further distractions for me. For my art, things are everywhere as I work and I have more of a care free set up. Whereas for homework assignments and working, I will have everything super organized with minimal distractions.

Comment: 
I chose to photograph myself in front of my coffee table, where I most often find myself doing homework. I push the coffee table further away from the couch and I sit on my rug. I need to be sitting up at a workspace, instead of doing my homework in bed, in order to be productive and focused. During the time I spend doing homework or making art, I like to have my blinds open to let natural light in, when the sun goes down, I typically don’t do any work. It’s important to me to keep my space decluttered, so at the end of the day, I move my supplies and notebooks into stacks and put them on my computer desk.

Comment: 
I have two spaces where I do my homework and where I create art. The first photograph I took is my family table where I do my homework and the second photograph of my coffee table where I create my artwork. Due to living in a small home I an not fortunate to have an office or studio space, so I make little areas work. The photograph of my family table shows my laptop, pencil, eraser, different color pens to color coordinate, highlighters, and notecards for memorization. I used all these materials to help me study. I am the type of person that easily forgets things, so I write everything down. I also listen to instrumental music to help me concentrate on my studies. The photograph of my artwork space shows my materials and drawing that I am working on. I love listening to music while I work but sometimes, I listen to audio books instead. There are times when I mix up such as making my art at the family table instead of the coffee table. It just depends on the material and how I am feeling.

Comment: 
My desk is both my study space, my art space, my storage space and because of this, it's perpetually a mess. Currently, I can't do any studying, homework, or art on it because It is so cluttered and there is not a speck of open space on it right now. Once I get the time to get it cleared up, I will start using it again. What I like about my desk as a space for study is the location of it in my room. It is right in front of my window, which I did purposefully, that way when I'm working during the day, I can have the curtains open to let in the natural light and to have a nice view of the outside. I have also keep all my art supplies organized and sorted, in different containers for easy access when working on art, as my desk is the only area I have to store my art supplies. I have also decorated my desk with in meaningful objects or things that speak to me. Looking at the picture of my desk, I see myself reflected in it, through all the objects placed on it, like art I currently working on or books I'm currently reading that I have set there. This desk and a lot of the things on it, have been with me for many, many years, so it has a very nostalgic feel to it, and many memories attached to it and the stuff on it.

Comment: 
I don’t have one set area for my work or study. I can tell you that I’m usually lying on the ground as long as I don’t have much to type. Sometimes I set up on the vanity table in my room and sit on the matching stool. Today the tabletop is too cluttered for that and I don’t feel motivated enough to sit up properly. The kitchen table I often use is clean and empty, but today others are also home with quarantine rules and such, so it is noisy and busy down there. My bedroom floor is too messy for me too. Today my anxiety of it all displaced me to the upstairs couch. Just me in my clothes from yesterday that I fell asleep in all too early and my laptop. This opened my eyes to how unwell I’m really doing with the transition to online classes my school is making and the little effects of that anxiety on my life and normal routines. I feel like I can't focus or do what needs to be done within my laptop and its spiraling out.

Comment: 
a. What is see in the study is multiple projects happening at once. I am working on an art project for my 2-D class and its windy, so I have to have bottles and other random item to hold down my pieces. While I’m waiting for my project to dry, I’m also working on other homework so I’m not wasting time on doing one thing at a time. It’s possible for me to study outside because when I’m inside all day I get headaches, so I prefer to work outside than inside. I use the table and chairs that are on the patio to have a study/studio area that I won’t be bothered by people inside. This also creates a relaxing space for me because of the fresh air and I’m able to take breaks every once in a while, then taking longer breaks if I was inside. It helps me focus and be more creative when I’m in the natural elements because I don’t have stress when I’m working outside.

Comment: 
The picture that I took shows how I just spread everything out, usually on my bed, so that I can see what needs to be done. To study I shut away the world and dive into the work that is laid out before me. This helps focus me so that I don't have distractions and I feel as comfy as possible so that I don't find excuses to not study at that moment.

Comment: 
Since I'm not really working on any traditional assignments at this moment, I focused on my space for creating art for class projects. While at first I was extremely concerned because of the inconvenience this virus has created by not allowing me to work in my normal studio, I was able to transform my old roommate's side of the dorm room into a little work-space. Taking this photo was very interesting because it made me realize how wildly different my two normal study habits are. I either need to be surrounded with or talking with my friends to be productive (especially artistically) or I need to be completely isolated and listen to music or watch a favorite show/movie in the background. I think generally I am very happy when I am being productive as long as I am invested in what I am working on. I believe this shows through my image by how tedious and careful my supplies are all laid out and how everything is organized compared to my personal items which are usually a bit messy. I think the biggest reveal this project offered me was that I need to be in an environment where I can be comfortable, but still consider it a place to do work. Since I am living on campus in the dorms as opposed to living at home with my family, I'm in a different environment I've dedicated to education and therefore it is easier for me to remain productive.

Comment: 
I took my pictures in my living room where I have a set up with a table where I do all my work. I like working in the living room when I’m alone sometimes. In the picture, I was concentrated drawing for one of my assignments for another class. I was also listening to some music, that keeps me motivated when I’m doing homework. I just don’t listen to music when I’m doing an essay or writing because I get distracted.

Comment: 
Lately, I have been staying with my sister who is also working from home. My "study space" is the side of the dining table that my sister is not using for her own work space. Most of my stuff is out on the table taking up most of the room and I always need my planner open to keep track of what I am doing. I love to be around others when I am working an I think that my sister's presence really allowed for me to work harder. The image reveals a time of focus when I was energized and really into what I was studying and it displays my organized mess.

Comment: 
My studio/ study place is in the kitchen in the small island we have , which is a perfect well lit place to create or set up my laptop to do schoolwork. What I saw in the picture I took was that I made good use of the space and there is enough space to place materials at arms length. I usually get things done late at night while my family is asleep and its nice to be in a open area to create. I plug in the wireless headphones and open my laptop to get my schoolwork completed, having two floors ( kitchen being lower level) helps with quite time and access to coffee makes things pleasing and comfortable. I sit on a large bench that still enables me to not fall asleep and focus on my work.

Comment: 
One of my favorite study spaces is actually the space in which I work. I work as a desk assistant in my residential community on campus, and during late night shifts, I find myself doing the majority of my homework-- both art related and academically related-- between the duties of assisting residents. My photo depicts me sitting at the desk, both work computers and my laptop running, my space filled with my sketchbook, markers, and a note with my planned sentences for another Studio D assignment set on my laptop. The reason I have all of these markers and my sketchbook out during my research is because I had decided to take a moment and breathe in the middle of my assignment, using the time to doodle and come up with new character ideas. I find keeping something to doodle on next to me-- while sometimes is distracting-- often allows me to mark up some interesting ideas for character design, or stories I'd like to tell. It also offers me practice and planning time for upcoming assignments in my studio classes. The unorganized spread of items in my work space depicts not only my slightly messy method of setting up for study, but the comfort I feel in my place of work. During these late night shifts, I enjoy the quiet of the lobby, and become productive as the tempting distractions of sleep and my mobile devices is far more limited than my dorm. While there are still busy shifts where my work-space is not nearly as full of color or clutter as it can be at 3 AM, I still believe that the front desk is one of my favorite places to study.

Comment: 
My self(study)ie reveals a lot about what conditions make it possible for me to study. For starters I am in the comfort of my home. I am in a room that I consider to be my studio at home. The time of day is my favorite, the morning. I am most productive when the sun is shining through my window and I can hear the birds sing. In my study space I am surrounded by things that I love. In my self(study)ie I feel at peace. In my space I have creative freedom. In my space I allow experimentation and inquiry. My image reveals the happiness I feel when I am in my study space. I feel thankful to have a place that brings such joy and comfort.

Comment: 
The space that I study or create art is usually on the floor of my room. I like to surround myself with all the tools I need like paper, oil, water, paints, brushes, pencils, laptop, etc. I have always worked on the floor no matter where I lived, like in my dorm I had paint stains on the floor from me working on the floor. I don't mind the disorganization of having everything in the middle of the floor because when I finish a project I usually clean it up. I also do my homework on the floor, so I am able to move freely. I don’t like to be confined to a desk and chair because I get antsy. I have always felt I lack organization, but to me this is organized.

Comment: 
Over the years and semesters my studying environment has become more and more picky and sensitive. The photo might not say this much, but when I look at it, I know that there’s really no other place or way I can accomplish what I can for school. Since moving out, living on my own, and working a majority of the time, I haven’t been able to focus on studies as well as I have been in my college career. That’s why I took a photo in my bedroom back at my mom’s house. In this space I know I can focus, concentrate, and generate new ideas. I lay half up in bed with the computer on my lap, since everything I need is either online or somewhere on my laptop’s desktop. I hardly take any more art classes, so my work has become reliant on Microsoft Word. This corner is very special to me because it was where I fell asleep and woke up for twenty-three years of my life, and for some reason it also allows me to work better. On my night stand I have an oil diffuser running the sweet, fragrant blend of citrus and peppermint. It helps awaken my senses again when I take a deep breath, and its gentle hum is a great ambient noise. I also have a big ol’ cup of water to stay hydrated throughout the day, and especially if I am studying. If I do not have water, coffee, or tea next to me then I hardly take in any liquids. The water cup just so happens to include the logo of my school, which I did not plan because sadly I lack school spirit. I usually work best at night or in the middle of the day, but in the photo, it is the early afternoon. The light from my window makes the space feel more open and less confined, which I prefer. Because I am constantly on the go and my brain has a list for everything I needed to get done yesterday, having this type of serene studying conditions is very important to me. The mood needs to be relaxed but also prepared since I have the habit of getting up for any little thing and getting distracted. I hope someday soon I can grow out of this dependency, and to have the ability to focus in any space I am at the moment. I think this type of dependency indicates stress, but it is something we all face at some point in life. For now, I do love my little bed corner. Its comfortable and set up to my liking.

Comment: 
self(study)ies. I took the opportunity top photograph my 2 studios from opposite sides of the rooms to gain a better understanding of the Idle space. The first one I shot was my large studio space. Here you can see the 2 wood benches for leather with small bins for accessories, buckles, snaps, buttons, attachments, closures, and random bought salvaged or found objects and parts that are waiting to find themselves in a project. stacked to the lower left and right are EVA foam for construction. 3 different sized mannequins for modeling and leather forming on. while in the back there are 2 benches for metal work and stone. the bins on the right are leather projects ready to assemble large sections, and fur hides. on top of that are large rolls of leather. Here is the other angle showing the rack, further back are paints, leather dyes and finishes, woodwork on the floor for framing. box of jewelers tools on the bench. I see this space as a sanctuary from the chaos from outside. My trouble with the Idle time is having too many Ideas and having to write them out and sketch them Usually I like to just dive in and create something while sorting through 20 years of collected items in bins. This is my experimental shop and production location. occasional teaching area as well. What I have found is that I do not like my space to go too long with out use. and lately it has been abuzz with activity. taking time to clean seems at times a chore as I want to dive into the next project in line. The images show a lot of items ready to be used. In a seemingly crowded space as if designed by someone with Attention deficit disorder. Either too much stuff or seemingly not enough room. the look of this space seems more “shop” than artist space although I play music when I create in this space, the space seems less friendly without the music. The items produced here are to be worn or used by people. My Second space is an upstairs room This is my more traditional artist room with a standing easel that is out of frame in both pictures, here is where I create Items to be viewed. Paintings and detailed construction items. or graphics. again, with drawers of items to be used for painting sculpting illustration and printing. with historic antiquities hung on the wall mixed with my paintings. I feel that this space like the other one is waiting to be explored and have items created. This is where my mid wanders and ponders. sometime with nothing outwardly getting done and times that I am in here for hours on end creating. The space allows creativity, invites creativity, and supplies one with the tools to create. It also seems empty without a person working in the space. where you can look at the photo and ask yourself .. What do I make today?

Comment: 
It is so weird I feel that I was born backwards. For me as an artist I find that I work best wow doodling in class during lectures when I am not supposed to be. Everything just comes to me at that time and I turn into Picasso rather than working at home in my art studio or am I drawing or painting class. I also learned that I work best at night my mind is more open which is weird. I chose this prompt because I do work in different areas and I have done an experiment to see which area works best for me and what time of day works best for me as well so I thought it would be interesting.When reading the prompt I thought I would have to take a picture of certain materials and objects that I use on a daily basis. After reading it a second time I realized that I could choose a location and talk about my surroundings and how it helps me focus. At first it was challenging figuring out what works best for me but once I figured it out , it really did help me out finding out what works best for me. I learned that I was not born backwards that my mind works at different times just like a sleeping pattern some people have different sleeping patterns and ways of doing things a different times of the day.

Comment: 
It is so weird I feel that I was born backwards. For me as an artist I find that I work best wow doodling in class during lectures when I am not supposed to be. Everything just comes to me at that time and I turn into Picasso rather than working at home in my art studio or am I drawing or painting class. I also learned that I work best at night my mind is more open which is weird. I chose this prompt because I do work in different areas and I have done an experiment to see which area works best for me and what time of day works best for me as well so I thought it would be interesting.When reading the prompt I thought I would have to take a picture of certain materials and objects that I use on a daily basis. After reading it a second time I realized that I could choose a location and talk about my surroundings and how it helps me focus. At first it was challenging figuring out what works best for me but once I figured it out , it really did help me out finding out what works best for me. I learned that I was not born backwards that my mind works at different times just like a sleeping pattern some people have different sleeping patterns and ways of doing things a different times of the day.

Comment: 
With the transition to online I was forced to create an area of study that wasn’t my bed or living room table. I began to rearrange a tiny corner in my room which became my desk. It became a designated area designed just for homework. As I put my small study area together I was relying on functionality. I knew that in order to get homework done I'd have to create an organized space and that each element would need a purpose in the space. I think limiting the space helps me associate with a school environment that keeps me focused. Psychologically, I'd say it's a bit overwhelming but embodies an important aspect of my life in other words a priority.

Comment: 
With the transition to online I was forced to create an area of study that wasn’t my bed or living room table. I began to rearrange a tiny corner in my room which became my desk. It became a designated area designed just for homework. As I put my small study area together I was relying on functionality. I knew that in order to get homework done I'd have to create an organized space and that each element would need a purpose in the space. I think limiting the space helps me associate with a school environment that keeps me focused. Psychologically, I'd say it's a bit overwhelming but embodies an important aspect of my life in other words a priority.

Comment: 
Over the many years of being a student, I have learned what type of space I need to have in order to be productive. I haven’t had an actual desk in four or five years (which has been a problem). I feel most productive when I am sitting at a desk or table with good lighting. When I try to work in bed or on the floor, I can’t help but start to relax and get distracted. Additionally, having an organized workspace is very important for me. Though I can rarely keep my space organized, I definitely work better with less mess. Mess stresses me out and makes me feel overwhelmed. In the picture, I have a temporary art space set up on my family’s kitchen table. I have everything I need pulled out and in a designated spot. I have a speaker there because listening to quiet music while working helps me focus.

Comment: 
I find that when I study I need to have a designated space to concentrate or focus. This is likely at a desk in my home office, a kitchen table or even outside on the patio. The important thing to me is that I am comfortable and prepared. I enjoy listening to lo-fi music because it is calming and contains no words, which allows me to focus. I usually am studying traditionally using my notebooks to handwrite my notes. I find that when I can handwrite things I am able to comprehend and retain information better. It is also important that I have water and snacks readily available to fuel my brain and body! I find that I can focus at night or during the day, the time does not matter to me.

Comment: 
My image is a scene that shows how my desk looks while I study for my online art history class. I'm an art major and my bedroom has become my art studio, my materials and pieces take up most of my space but this desk is designated for studying other concepts that don't require a studio or art-making. This image captures how this desk is a place of solitude that differs from the rest of the bedroom/studio space, my desk has a lamp by it to provide light, a laptop, my notebook and my writing supplies. The soft warm light from my lamp and the organization of my desk provides me with a tranquil space where I can really focus on other subjects aside from creating art pieces.

Comment: 
My image is of me working on schoolwork sitting on my couch. I have learned over the years that I have a hard time concentrating on my work if I am in my bedroom. I try and keep my bedroom a happy place where I can relax and not think about stressful things. I also found that I work better when it is daylight out opposed to when it is night time. Where the couch is in our living area, we have a glass sliding door so that room is very bright and makes the space more enjoyable to work in. The image also shows the chaos of my laptop and notebooks laying around me as I sit with my legs crossed. This is a good visual of how I like to work because it is hard for me to sit straight up and down in my chair.

Comment: 
My image is of me working on schoolwork sitting on my couch. I have learned over the years that I have a hard time concentrating on my work if I am in my bedroom. I try and keep my bedroom a happy place where I can relax and not think about stressful things. I also found that I work better when it is daylight out opposed to when it is night time. Where the couch is in our living area, we have a glass sliding door so that room is very bright and makes the space more enjoyable to work in. The image also shows the chaos of my laptop and notebooks laying around me as I sit with my legs crossed. This is a good visual of how I like to work because it is hard for me to sit straight up and down in my chair.

Comment: 
My image is of me at the local Desert Botanical Gardens here in Phoenix,AZ. I really thought this summarizes me in a snapshot as most of my studies being a photography emphasis in Art Education major at ASU. It shows me behind my black and white film camera getting ready to shot a picture.I know I am wearing a University of Arizona shirt and cap, but I have no rivalry with either school and embrace pride in all Arizona school which includes NAU. As a photographer, more time is setting up and adjusting to the light than the moment of pushing the button and after work. It helps to take a wonderful image and transcend it than to make a decent photo and add too much editing. In this experience looking back, I would have told myself to take different angles, different times of the day, and different filters. Being as what it is, I take a lot of time in the field on photo "missions" looking thorough my camera and then in the case of my digital, I look back to my playback to make adjustments. So, I took a different approach than just a regular studio or desk because photographers are all around roaming and looking for the next best thing.

Comment: 
The space of study is a combination of three things: my simple study desk, my art studio, and my nail desk where I take clients. One thing you'll notice is the condition is the background I put up. This gives it a feel of relaxation of low lit comfortable lights with floral garlands running parallel to the lights. Adding this to my space was important not only for me but for my clients. Another reason I added these objects was also to distract myself and clients from my amount of boxes in which are designated to carry certain things that I grab when doings nails. Everything has a home and for me, that mentally is soothing. Another important object I have is my oil diffuser, this item carries two uses that are physical. One, would be the aroma therapy it creates for me when I'm study or carving a plate of linoleum for hours at a time. Two, is for when I am working on clients. The smell of monomer (ladies will recognize it in a salon setting) is very intense and strong so my diffuser will lighten and sometimes mask the smell. The last object that is most important to me is my JBL bluetooth speaker that gets me through hours of work because it plays all my favorite songs at any given time. I love it so much I would buy one for every room in my house, including the bathroom!

Comment: 
I chose to do my artmaking/studying area since both of them are technically the same. So, one of the things I noticed about my artmaking/studying area was that even thought I like chaos and complexity when I am working or doing art. At the same time, I also like to have everything under control and in order. Which is kind of ironic because when I started doing art, I like to have everything around me in order and harmony before I even started doing art. But when I began the art process and began making art, I tend to have everything out of order. Also, I feel like this activity help me understand a little bit a bout myself and how I have controversial personality.

Comment: 
I took a photo of my work space, which is currently the desk I have in my room. I spend the majority of my day here, whether it be drawing, surfing the internet in my free time or attending online classes during the week. In the picture you can see my laptop as well as my microphone, drawing tablet, and notebooks. It looks sort of messy, but my room is on the smaller side so there isn’t much room for the non school-related stuff to go anywhere else. Despite the clutter, I feel like I can relax here because it’s a place I’m used to and can be undisturbed during the day, seeing as my dad works from home downstairs. Using this space as both a studio and a source of comfort can be a downfall sometimes, though, since it makes things a little harder to focus.

Comment: 
I work everywhere. I'm antsy, un-organized in my personal life, and I spread out. My fiance says that she can always tell when I'm working towards a major deadline because I leave trails of work everywhere I go. You can tell how close the deadline is as the cluster grows. As I've adapted to being a professional I've taught myself to be organized when it comes to things that affect other people. I keep a planner with all my due dates written down, my student's work is filed and trafficked efficiently, and I try to make sure my actions are respectful of other people's time. All bets are off when it comes to my personal work though. I flourish feeling surrounded by all the things I needed to accomplish my task. Being able to visually see everything I need and can use to create helps me.

Comment: 
1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pSgzluyHgHm-QljG4t4nDWygs1Rt0X5b/view?usp=sharing 2. Isolated at the desk, listening to the information on the computer. Notes sprawled around the desk and floor in a mess. A notebook and phone for small breaks in-between. The quiet night, keeps everything at peace. I personally find it easier to fully understand a topic when I'm listening and taking notes on a subject, I struggle to fully grasp the context though only reading. I also doodle on paper to keep my brain focused, sometimes I will even message my friends so I don't overwork myself though the night. As a night owl, I tend to not be the best at keeping track of time.

Comment: 
This quick capture of my environment has told me what I’ve already noticed about my study space which is that it’s not a study space or a work space. It’s a place for me to sit and watch tv knowing I’m unable to focus much, and even if i do try and put my mind into one objective I drift off into my head even more. As I sit at my desk cluttered with books, mints, plants and my laptop I wonder if I’m the reason I don’t consider it a study space or if the objects on my desk are the reason. The mood given off when looking at my selfie is a cry for a change that is needed within my life as a whole, and usually when I do find myself doing work it’s on my carpet at 2am with my container or water and a blank canvas that I’ll put my thoughts on.

Comment: 
The first idea that came to mind reading the instructions was not of my normal study area. I tend to prefer studying at local libraries in my city. I can’t function at home because there are many distractions. For this protocol, I remembered of a day this past week, I was helping a young friend craft a handmade gift for a friend of theirs. The young friend I was helping was, was my boyfriend’s sister, who is 13 years old and has autism. She was very concern she could not go to the store to buy a gift for her friend because of the recent quarantine the world is going through due to outbreak of the coronavirus. I was sitting doing homework that I was dangerously behind on already. I decided to suggest I could help her come up with some ideas on making a handmade gift. The moment was not photographed or recorded. I put down my own work and we decided to take out materials to work with around the house. The materials were: markers, crayons, yarn, beads, popsicle sticks, glue, hot glue gun, colored pencils, paper. If someone had taken a picture of the table we were working on, or a video of us, you would see all materials sprawled across the table and you would hear ideas exchanged of what we could make for her friend. Considering, we were not able to leave the house and it was in the morning, there was no pressure to finishing the ideas we were creating into objects. We were limited by the materials but were relaxed and distracted from the situation of not being able to go anywhere during the virus warning. My young friend, Nicole, was happy to receive the help. I was actually proud I was able to help someone do arts and crafts. Nicole even said, “I feel like I am back in school in art class. I feel like I am really learning something.” That was defiantly something, if captured in an image you would see us smiling. Why did you choose this protocol? I chose the protocol because of the title. I thought it might be a reflection on who we are or a space we live in or in our community, through self-identification of who we are. What did you expect when you first read the instructions? I was concerned I don’t have a picture of a studying area. I do a lot of my studying and schoolwork in areas where I need to pick up my things and head home. What was your actual process and/or experience completing it? Instead of describing an area where I sit in a library and what I do when I work at a public learning space, I decided to think of a time where learning happened naturally and unexpectedly. What challenges occurred? The challenge that occurred I would say was maybe having to describe a study experience without having any visual recording of it. How did you overcome them? I overcame challenge by doing my best to describe the experience for the assignment. What did you learn through this protocol experience? I actually learned how much natural learning experiences, unplanned, and with no instructions have on those learning and those giving ideas/teaching. I specifically noticed how my own mental health seemed to improve with the experience. In teaching this would maybe be “a positive experience through mindful art making” or something along those lines. How did learning through this set of instructions differ from being provided a set of instructions with a predetermined outcome? I liked the liberty of learning through less instructions about a personal learning experience/environment. It gave me the freedom to really contemplate the experience/learning environment.

Comment: 
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMYT9eHJuWIzji35Cr87pjexf_fh6vppJP14Dxa This image is in my usual study spot. My bed in my room. Using my laptop. I think this image says a lot about me. A bit of a "lazier study" in my mind compared to how I know some of my friends study. A subtle note is how I'm close to the headboard, but there are no pillows to be seen. I use them as support on my lower back. When I'm working for a long time I have to keep my back supported or it will be sore for hours. I also tend to move around a lot if my back isn't comfortable which takes away from my study time. If you think about the time frame of when the picture was taken you can feel the desperation and last push in the image. So close to finishing, but also so late. I also need to be in my room, isolated from other, my family is large and that tends to distract me. I also have music playing when I study. It does sometimes makes me break focus during study, but people need to take a break while studying or they will never get it done.