Eureka Moment!

I typed up my evaluation of yesterdays peer review before I went to bed, so naturally I couldn't sleep for ages because I was contemplating what I could do to resolve the problems I was having in terms of where my research was going. Focusing on the most fundamental questions, 'what do I care about?', 'what am I interested in?' and 'what do I want to find out', I was able to clear the fog a little and have a solid reflection on everything that I have been doing so far.

I got my notebook out and literally just jotted down everything that came into head and tried to piece things together, and I think that I have finally made sense of things!

Refined Essay Structure

Title: (rough) Investigating into how the interpretation of imagery can create a subconscious shift in the perception of the self.

Subquestion: How illustration and methods of visual communication used in the mainstream can inform and shape personal behaviour, attitudes and goals. (This will need tweaking though)

First chapter: Existence and behaviour 

• Maslow, motivation, self actualisation
• Herzberg
• Skinner (pain avoidance)
• Freud- ego, id, superego
• HOW DO THESE SIT IN MODERN DAY?! : Consumerism, elitism, reason for being

Second chapter: Analysis of images from the early 20th century to today. Looking at the differences and highlighting key themes

• Beecham, Holloway (all images from Thackray)
• Smoking adverts vs stop smoking adverts
• Images used today in advertising campaigns and product sales in relation to maintaining good health
• Identify how children are the common theme

Third chapter: The child as a motif

• Human centred design; use of children inform learning, understanding, development and reflection
• How a child perceives topics of difficult/misunderstood nature. Raw and honest, highlight how powerful this is
• Sensitivity, nostalgia and empathetic connection with audience

Practical investigation: designing from a child's perspective Concepts for packaging and advertisements for products which supposedly boost our perception of self (and often exploit adults)

For example:

• Medical packaging 
• Beauty products?
• Cigarette packaging
• Alcohol

So my idea will need refining between now and my tutorial on Tuesday, but I'm SO relieved that I am starting to make sense of things and feel motivated to drive this project forward.