The artefact.

Developing the artefact.

I'm now onto the stage in my module 3 work that I am beginning to think about the artefact and what I want to create.  It's not easy, after all the research interviews and academic style writing, its time to think a little differently again.

How can I present what I have found?  How can it be useful? How can it add validity and support my research? How is it applicable in my workplace?

So, after many spider diagrams and lists, I've decided to create a website.

Working in education, the internet is used daily, for many reasons, lesson inspiration, resources, communication of the newest policies.  I would like my website to fit into these categories and be useful in a primary school situation.  I plan to detail my findings but to also include links to resources that I have found helpful in incorporating drama into my day to day life as a Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant. That could mean some book reviews of literature I have found helpful or links to websites with drama games that I have used.  I would like this website to be like a stepping stone for people who are new to the idea of dramatherapy and its benefits for them and their practice. Just like I was once!

Having discussed this in my workplace, one person has already mentioned a project her daughter is working on and how it links in with what I have been researching, so I plan to feature this on my website  as a resource.  I hope this website will continue in this way and I will be adding to it as I continue to develop my practice and my professional network, even after module three is over. Just as my practice has grown in knowledge and experience, I wish the website to do the same, the more I learn the more I will add to it.

I started to think about what makes a good website, what are the do's and don't's.  This really made me think about the idea of an online personality again and through me back into module one!  My fist blog was bright purple and represented my personality very well! Was it professional? No...I think not... I discovered then that the idea of a digital personality was a tricky and delicate business and yes, my favourite colour was purple, but that didn't mean my blog had to be!  I had to question what i wanted this blog to represent and how I wanted people reading it to perceive me.  It all changed into neutral colours and featured my professional headshots, which on reflection was a much better first 'digital' impression than my original!

There are so many Do-It-Yourself website creating tools out there now that this is a much more accessible idea than it would have been previously.  It can be simple, doesn't have to cost you anything and you don't have to hire anyone else to take care of it, you can create a website from the comfort of your own desk.  But can this be a little dangerous as well? You can literally create ANYTHING.... so what do you create??

After doing a little research I have decided to keep it simple.  There is a concept called 'flat design' which is based on the ideas of practicality and necessity.  It's foundations are rooted in the ideas of minimalism.  Some of it's key features include bold bright colours and simple and easy to read fonts, I plan to use these ideas in my website.

The image above is from a resourceful drama page that i sometimes use for ideas for drama games.  Is this an effective website? Yes, in my opinion it is. It's clear concise, easy to use and find what you are looking for.  Its minimalist and only has on there what it necessary.  

These are all things that I will consider when creating my website.  I will be using more colour than the on above but will create a theme that is not overpowering, is artistic but doesn't impede the rest of the website by being overpowering.  I would like a colour scheme that supports the creativity of dramatherapy but is contained and used professionally.

I also wish to have an image on my website.  During my research I have found that dramatherapy could be used as a preventative tool in schools to care for our children and their development and mental wellbeing.  Dramatherapy is often used as a curative effect but by using drama techniques we could also support the idea that drama can prevent mental health issues and support children's healthy emotional development. 

In my head, I see and image of a brightly coloured umbrella, a child is sat underneath with her back to us, she's a silhouette possibley.  There are raindrops all around her but she is protected by the big umbrella above her.  My idea is that this image represents the way that drama could be used to protect children when the rain falls.  Rain can be anything from, abuse, trauma, stress and school issues, but by getting under her 'dramatic umbrella' the child is sheltered.  So, how do I present this image?  Well, I've tried drawing.... unfortunately I am not blessed with that skill and I think it just looks unprofessional! But I do want an image to represent my findings... I think this will take me a little longer to solve.  Im thinking about drawing apps or asking my more artistically minded friends to help out... Im going to all this trouble because I want an original image, something unique to my research.  I'll find it, but it might take a little longer.  For now, I best get started on making my first website... Wish me luck! 

Common Places, 2016. 10 Website Trends.[online] Available at <www.commonplaces.com/blog/10-website-trends-for-2016> [ accessed November 30th 2016]

Spritz Web Solutions, Does your website have what it takes? [online] Available at <www.spritzweb.com/resources/good-website-characteristics.html [accessed November 30th 2016]

The Next Web, 2015. The future of flat design. [online] Available at <www.thenextweb.com/dd/2015/07/09/the-furture-of-flat-design [accessed November 30th 2016]