This series includes:
1. 10,000 hand-cut circles
2. 10,000 hand-drawn calligraphy ornaments
With the intention behind questioning ways in which human skill can be elevated or enhanced to its highest potential, upon research, I was introduced to the realm of savants. This led to the exploration in various skills associated with savants and their ability to contain mass amounts of information, which helped pose questions regarding a dormant potential within all of us. With the intention to improve skill through heavy exposure and concentration in specific domains, my primary research included various experiments and methods where I deliberately practiced certain tasks in order to prove the legitimacy of Anders Ericsson’s deliberate practice and 10,000 hour theory. These experiments consisted of repeating certain tasks in order to improve or enhance the result of certain skills, whether it was through line drawing or circle cutting. This is a series that aims to clearly define and represent the impact of design as a result of deliberate practice. The intention behind this project would be to demonstrate and embrace the importance of practice and repetition.
My objective in producing this work would be to not only challenge myself as a designer to adopt or utilize practice, but to prove that intelligence and skill does not have to be defined by the confines of our IQ or in specific measurements. Learning about savants and their extreme ability in contrast to their disability helped me to open and embrace unique human qualities and skills despite differences. Through this project, my hope is to challenge this perception of intelligence that undermines qualitative skill and create a piece that will take on a different approach to the typical measure of intellect.
