#08 Planning Week
Dates Monday 8th - Sunday 14th September
Summary of the Week
This week has been completely filled with workshop designing and planning with co facilitators from Visioning to AI strategy. A productive week of the things I love the most.
Dot and Dash
AI Business strategy in a day (AI Design Sprints™)
I just wrapped up finalising the PowerPoint slides and videos for the client, pushing beyond standard generative AI aka chat gpt to explore what’s possible with over 14 distinct AI capabilities. It was inspiring to see a non-technical audience brainstorming and crafting their own AI solutions tailored to their unique business needs. The real challenge, as always, was delivering everything within the tight timeframe of the day. I’ve never been more grateful for a sticky wall—it was a beautiful rainbow of colour as the AI cards are a fantastic way of making AI tangible for a business. This was just a slice of the whole three day experience.
Unconference conference
I’m collaborating with a facilitator I met through the IAF England and Wales conference to volunteer at an upcoming open space technology conference in Birmingham this October. Open space events let participants create their own agenda and move freely between topics, engaging in areas they care about. This year, I’m one of two professional facilitators leading this effort, and we’re creating a quick guide to help volunteers navigate challenging situations based on our experience.
I'm incredibly excited to see how this evolves! This interactive method is one of my absolute favorites, precisely because it encourages movement and prevents us from getting stuck in a stagnant conference session. It gives attendees the freedom to roam and explore, which my ADHD brain absolutely thrives on! I just wish there were more of them!
Other things in the pipeline
I just applied to be a sketchnote ambassador and am waiting for the selection process. Since I'm already starting to run events to help people learn more about visuals, I thought this would be a great way to keep practicing daily. Plus I love international sketchnote day - more here https://sketchnote.school/ambassador/
I applied for a freelance facilitator role in a nationwide design thinking and sustainability schools program. Unfortunately, I didn't get it – lots of applicants they selected people with more youth work experience. I got a lovely feedback message that they would keep me in mind if anything comes up as it grows.
Out of the blue some potential work came in for another conference in Oct - helping out as a co facilitator and keeping the day running smoothly behind the scenes - fingers cross this evolves into some paid work. Otherwise I will have to consider getting something part-time to tide me over. No I don't want to do retail!
Potential illustration work incoming - which is still being negotiated with the end clients.
I finished up an illustrated poster from a 4 day course I did last year. I'm so proud of - I actually did a time lapse - 16 hours condensed into a few seconds to show the process from notes, to poster creation. Attendees get a chance to have their own copies to remind themselves of such a crazy and incredible training course and see the process unfolding of how I created the work.
I've applied for a spot in the "Created Mastered" programme, a mini-accelerator designed for creative businesses. My illustration / graphic work is expanding, and I'm truly enjoying this area of my practice. I believe this program would be invaluable in helping me refine my creative processes and work more efficiently. Fingers crossed I get into the programme and meet some other wonderful creatives around the region.
App Development
A recent Internet of Things (IoT) networking meetup, hosted by The Curve, sparked a few ideas for a future phase of our app: integrating wearables. This integration would aim to provide neurodivergent individuals with tools for sensory regulation or preparation for new situations. A wonky sketchnote as it was balanced on my knees during the talk.
I've been deep in looking at competitor markets and looking at refining route to markets and community building. Just working out what platform to use to get it started.
YouTube
Went down a rabbit hole for a few days on Hobonichi planners. You can check them out here. https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/ trying to resist buying yet another planner, I have one already which is my sketchnote planner, the antiplanner by Dani Donovan and then a law of attraction planner. I don't need anymore planners. Despite being very cute though.
Updates on Pacts
These had to go on a back burner this week due to an elevated workload, as paid projects were prioritised and ad hoc things came in.
PACT 1 Portrait Practice (7 days)
PACT 2 Mind-Mapping Books (4/52)
PACT 3 I will create a weekly sketchnote summary (7/30 days)
Hence why this newsletter is a few weeks late going out!
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