I often hear grumbles from my students that they can’t sketch. And also because they are IT students taking art and design subjects, they find it hard to comprehend the purpose of conceptualisation and ideation.

However, these grumbles are not new to me at all.

I remember vividly that my classmates and I used to grumble about putting down 100 ideas in our sketch books during my 1st year in uni.

“I have THE idea already! Why do I still have to do the other 99 ideas!!??? Waste of time!”

You see, sketching is one of the conceptual tools for ideation. And since common experience suggests that ideation thrives under opportunistic, it is important that we seek better understanding of recognizing the gap between the ideas and their realization.

Why I grumbled about all these process is also because I failed to look at my own ideation process critically. I focused too much on the outcome and totally missed the wonderful journey that awaited me.

Nonetheless, I still did the 100 ideas…and MORE! I sketched and doodled when I was on the bus, having tea break, after talking to a stranger. Because I allowed NO interference with the free flow of ideas and do not restrict myself in a particular place and time, the journey has utterly blown me away. Needless to say, my outcome was both surprising and way better than my “original” idea. I wish I would impart this thrill to my students.

But to totally immerse in this experience, one must first learn to focus on process rather than outcome, understand the purpose, believe IN it, HAVE FAITH, be PATIENT and be sensitive.

We are brought up in the society which often, focuses on the outcome rather than the process. We want an instant reward. We demand immediate response and answer, we seek for immediate help.

How does one expect ready-made delicious bread at the end of the road without picking up ingredients along the way?

Similarly, it applies to almost every other thing in life. For example, rushing into a relationship and rushing OUT of a relationship. Often, one runs to a quick exit, rather than going through the PROCESS of dealing with differences and resolving conflicts.

It is almost like picking the best orange on the shelve as soon as one sees it, and chucks it away AS SOON AS he/she spots a flaw on the skin.

May be you would think:“It’s orange what..it’s different!”

That’s exactly my point: one can do that to an orange but can he/she live a life as such?

It is easier said than done because of various factors, such as TIME. I am still learning to savour the sweetness of each process in life. A cup of heavenly and fresh brewed coffee is always better than drinking it from an instant coffee mix. The anticipation and hard work does add extra sweetness and spice into it.

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