This brief revolved around the aspect of learning a new skill. Putting 20 hours aside, I was tasked with selecting, learning and then documenting a skill I had always wanted to learn. Additionally, I had to do in depth research revolving around this skill, understanding the history and benefits of it. Once the documentation process was complete, I was then tasked with placing all the information I had gathered into an infographic poster or a visualization poster. This poster would either instruct the target on how to also achieve this skill, or the posters could communicate the journey I went on in learning this skill.
After considering what skill can be learnt within a 20-hour time frame, I decided to go with the option of learning how to play multiple songs on the Ukulele. The ukulele, also known as uke, is a four-stringed musical instrument made from wood that resembles a small classical acoustic guitar. It is a member of the lute family of instruments of Portuguese origin, but was popularized in Hawaii where it was given the name Ukulele meaning 'hopping flea' in the Hawaiian language
After being gifted a Ukulele a few years ago, I have never taken the time to learn how to play it, although it has been a skill I have wanted to learn. The instrument has collected dust over the years, and now with the help of this assignment, I will be able to dedicate the time needed to learn how to play the Ukulele.
Apart from this, the rhythmic patterns and harmonies you create while playing the ukulele engage various cognitive processes, stimulating your brain in unique and beneficial ways. Unlike the guitar, the tension of the strings is lower on the ukulele, and there are fewer strings to manage, making it easier for beginners to play, which is why I believe I will be able to learn the skill of playing the instrument within the 20-hour time frame.
In the given 20-hours, I hope to learn how to play the four major chords of the Ukulele. Once I have done that, I hope to learn a simple strumming pattern. By combining these chords with a strumming pattern, my end goal will be to able to play five different songs, with little to no mistakes. The documentation process of this skill will include an excel sheet where I will log in what I completed in each hour of the learning process. I will also include various video diaries, one of which displays a time lapsed learning process of the chords and strumming pattern, and one that displays the five songs I have learnt how to play. The video diary will be a YouTube upload accessed via a scannable barcode featured on the infographic.
Link to YouTube Channel where the learning process is shown: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtJHf2CCB_yRItmhg6JOMYg
This assignment taught me how to design an infographic that displayed data that I had collected myself. It was an interesting experience to learn a new skill, and then be able to display my findings for others to see and engage in. Overall I felt an abundance of pride throughout this assignment. I felt that I had explored skills that normally I would never even think of because of my lack of time. I learnt not only how to visually display my data, but also the importance of putting time aside for skills and hobbies because of the tremendous effects they have on a persons well-being. I really enjoyed this brief, and
hope to continue learning how to play the Ukulele.
hope to continue learning how to play the Ukulele.
