Wednesday, February 1, 2017

OUGD503 - Responsive - Papyrus Line Drawing - Idea Generation, Selection & Further Research

The Papyrus brief details that drawings submitted should feature a visual representation of something that helps you feel calm and relaxed, with a couple of sentences explaining what it is that has been drawn and why. The response can be literal or abstract, but must be A3 landscape in orientation with space for requested typographic explanation.

As a starting point, I made a list of things that help me feel calm and relaxed that could be turned into a potential adult colouring page. The list follows:

  • Long Walks - I find that a long walk outside provides time for reflection and clarity whilst getting fresh air, which is of course good for the brain. 
  • Drinking Tea - My go-to for relaxation and comfort. There is something about a cup of tea that seems to solve everything, if only temporarily. As they say, 'Where there's tea, there's hope.'
  • Listening to Music - Listening to music, especially slower more solemn songs, is a calming activity for me. Listening to the lyrics allows them to fill your mind and think of other things when things are heavy on your mind. 
  • Craft/Making Things - For me, the concentration in crafting something or making something by hand is calming. The involvement within the process for me is immersive and all consuming.
  • Reading Magazines/Books - When reading in silence, the mind is occupied in taking in the written content and its meanings, developing new knowledge/information and therefore creating a calming atmosphere. 
In consideration of the above options and which makes me feel the most relaxed, drinking tea is by far the most effective for me. It can be enjoyed alone or with friends, and provides time for a break from troubles. 



study by psychologist Dr Malcolm Cross at City University London provides evidence that a cup of tea really can help reduce stress at times of crisis. The findings reveal that even a single cup of tea can significantly reduce anxiety levels after suffering a stressful experience – and in some cases, make people calmer than they were before. 

The experiment at the centre of the study, which placed volunteers in a stressful scenario, showed a 25 per cent increase in anxiety for those that did not receive tea immediately after the stress-inducing test, while those who were given tea actually demonstrated a four per cent reduction in stress. 

As well as the soothing qualities of the tea itself, the psychologist found that the act of putting the kettle on also helped by tapping into a collective conscious and symbolism. The promise of comfort and warmth and the means of psychological escape are the primary reasons we seek such solace in the calming cup of tea. 


Researchers found that it was most effective when dealing with a stressful day at work, arguments with friends or colleagues or missing a train.

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