27:365 | Design in the Open

The AECT annual convention call for proposals is fast approaching and participants on our various projects are getting ready to submit SEVEN Designers for Learning related proposals. There are a couple that I could cut as they aren’t directly reporting on our work, but instead focus on topics that are near and dear to our mission. For example, one of the proposals is related to accessibility and another is for an Inspire! session related to themes we cover in our Design in the Open course.

I originally designed the Design in the Open course as a response to the #1 question I receive of, “What do I need to do to break into the instructional design field?” I was inspired by a book titled Show your Work: 10 ways to share your creativity and get discovered by Austin Kleon.  In the book’s introduction, Kleon writes that his readers are those trying to break into a new creative field. He is often asked, “How do I get myself out there? How do I get noticed? How do I find an audience?” Kleon’s response is one we applaud and try to emulate in our work:

“In order to be found, you have to be findable. I think there’s an easy way of putting your work out there and making it discoverable while you’re focused on getting really good at what you do.”

Therefore, in keeping with Kleon’s message, our seven proposals are part of our effort to put our work out there, to make it discoverable, and to focus on getting really good at what we do. Much like what I’m hoping to do by getting back into making daily posts on my blog. I really did miss it this last … oh … seven years!