Today we will conduct a Highlowaha Virtual Focus Group. Certainly, if we can attend the opening of the Olympics together, from our respective cities, and engage in a virtual game of Bingo together, then we can participate in a Virtual Focus Group.
The topic...
A Highlowaha journal or calendar.
Here's some background. While planning for our trip for Taste of USA (for more details see Taste of USA link in top right hand corner of the blog), I decided it would be nice to present each participant with a Highlowaha Journal. It was, in my mind, a practical treat. The journal would provide highlowaha readers with first, a place to record all their favorite highlowaha ideas and resources shared by our readers. Second, the journal could serve as a place for readers to capture their own creative ideas and daydreams... with the hope that maybe some of their creative brainstorms would end up right back in the pages of our beloved highlowaha blog.
In my mind the journal facilitates the perfect cycle. Receive ideas from highlowaha... write them in your journal... spark new creative ideas... write them in your journal... contribute new ideas to highlowaha... receive more ideas from highlowaha... and on and on we go.
Already I thought I was onto something. Then along came Cheryl. Cheryl had a dream (literally) where she envisioned turning stickers into temporary patches that we could wear on our Patchwork jeans. She printed off lots and lots of round stickers with pictures representing highlowaha "moments." Examples of some of the stickers include: Olympic rings (for decathlon); a picture of Ray Wattson; Crayola Markers (for Make your Mark); a fortune cookie (from Virtual Chinese Dinner Date); a cupcake; the Reading Raynbow symbol; and a picture of the "Let's Do Lunch" note cards (from the Let's Do Lunch campaign). Brilliant, right?
We had extra stickers and so decided randomly stick them throughout the pages of the journals. Next to each sticker, we wrote a note. An example... next to the Let's Do Lunch cards, a note that said, "Invite someone to lunch today." In our mind, the journals went from cool to awesome.
In the airport on the way home, Cheryl and I talked about the possibility of producing these journals in greater numbers. Maybe some of our other readers would like one. Or how about a birthday or holiday gift? Instead of subscribing a friend or relative to Oprah Magazine or Real Simple, how about welcoming them into our community of ideas? Present them with a personalized and interactive Highlowaha journal and give them the gift of creativity and community. The gift that keeps on giving.
Excited, I came home and told Richard. His response... how about a calendar instead of a journal?
And, the idea of a focus group was born. I want to hear from you. Good idea? Bad idea? Journal? Calendar? and more.
Here's how our focus group will work. I will post an open ended question, in the comment section, at the following times today: 5:30, 9:00, 11:00; 1:00; 3:00; and 5:00. Your job will be to share your opinion and rationale for each of the questions posed. After 7:00 p.m. you can feel free to respond to any of the questions.
As with all good focus groups, there are treats. As you know I have been spending the week doing highlowaha housekeeping. I have a cabinet of fun treats I've acquired over time and I am prepared to share them with you. After each two hour block of time (except the first block which is 3.5 hours), I will do a drawing for anyone who has provided feedback within that 2-hour block. This is my way of saying, "thank you" for your willingness to help me think through this idea. Your opinion is valued.
O.k. here we go with the first question...
What is your initial reaction to the idea of a highlowaha journal or calendar?
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33 comments:
Quick announcement before you start focus grouping...
Congratulations to Katie, whose whack was the winning whack. Everyone at dinner agreed her idea was both creative and that it helped prompt other creative ideas. Check back in a few days to see what we will ultimately do.
What is your initial reaction to the idea of a highlowaha journal or calendar?
Aside from the fact that I am up to early and cannot fully read correctly yet...
My initial reaction is that I dont know if I would use it all the time. I'm not a HUGE journal person. I only write in mine every once in a while. It's hard because I am so busy. But also, I'm just not that kind of person.
BUT then I took a second thought- it's more like a NOTEbook. Just jot down my thoughts or creative ideas when I have one. It could be handy. Instead of using up all my post-it notes.
The whole idea of it being a calendar...I am not sure. Where would all the ideas go? That day? Then I would use it like a planner. I would say the journal idea is better...at least at this current hour of the morning!
Sorry if there are any crazy typos. I'll be back later after the gym and classes...good thing this is my short day!
What is your initial reaction to the idea of a highlowaha journal or calendar?
(First, can I just say how easily typing "highlowaha" is becoming?!?!)
Like Cassie P said, I am not a HUGE journal-er. (CKB, I thought long and hard before writing that) I did receive a journal in Philly though, and had a lot of inspirational thoughts surrounding that day that need to be put into one place. I tend to draw my creativity from other people, digest it, and then create something of my own. However, I love calendars!
Pro/Con in my eyes:
Calendars give you a definitive time period - while really good for some people (myself included) it can be too structured for other people.
*~*~*~ ON THE FLIP SIDE *~*~*
Journals give you a cover to cover time period which you can then date yourself - better for the less neurotic people.
I'll be back with more thoughts on commercials during the Grey's Anatomy season premier tonight!
Journal v. Calendar
I like others am not a journal 'er' (is there a better way to say that?). I had to have a fill in the blank baby book for Lily so that I could keep up with it rather than just a blank scrapbook. And my journal? My planner pads. A peak back at any of my past five pads will give you a full glimpse into my life at the time.
So...I think Richard might be onto something with the calendar.
My suggestion? A combination of journal, calendar and fill-in-the blank. Basically create a journal with a page for each day with fill in the blanks. The areas might be:
Highlowaha topic for the day_________
My initial reactions to the post:
Interesting ideas/creative suggestions posted by other readers:
My new thoughts about the topic:
Things to follow up on:
This wouldn't be as intimidating for us non-journal 'ers' but would still provide the space and ability to give open ended reflections to the posts and a place for follow up ideas/concepts.
What is your initial reation to the idea of a highlowaha journal or calendar?
Having been a journal-er, now a blogger and one who creates our family monthly calendar ... I guess I like the calendar best.
In the card making/scrapbooking world I probably could find hundreds of links of creative people who do this all the time. They use all the do-dad and cool stuff to make it look pretty too!
One swell gal is Heidi Swapp, she has quite a story... she is currently living in Bejing with her husband and 5 children....
here is her blog:
http://heidiswapp.typepad.com/my_weblog/
She works for and is creative director for some papercraft company and her latest blog post is a calendar for journaling they are trying to launch...just posted their add to calendar, that she will write on, scrap pictures and mementos, and then eventually scrapbook it.
I like the idea of fill in the blanks... Today's topic... but also like the idea of a fill in the spots with Today is National Kiss your Brother day!! Bits of trivia or trivial info to dazzle our friends.
However, unless tirelessly reminded... like the FLY LADY (if you don't know who she is, email me)I don't know how close I'd keep it amongst my pile near the computer, and then actually write in it daily??? But, if it was made into a challenge... where it would then be made into a 'fall in love with a new idea' book of some sort???
My initial reaction is this:
Journal- I am the type of person who likes to have open ended questions to journal about, but then sometimes, I just like to ramble about what is going on in my head. This is why I loved the journal from Taste of USA so much. Some days, when I come to a sticker, I have an open ended question/prompt to write about, but then other days, the pages are blank so I can do what I want with those pages. The thing I think is best is there are no dates on it. My journaling is not consistent and it never has been. Some days the ideas are flowing out of my head and some days they're not quite ready to go onto the page yet.
Calendar-
I can also see how this would be a good idea. Like Heather said, my planner is my journal in many ways. I can look back at this time last year and tell you what I was up to and how my day went. I jot down notes in my planner for future reference and also use it as a spot to put ideas for future projects. My planner is much more structured than any "journal" that I have, but sometimes I need that in my life.
I think overall though, I enjoy the journal more because I can use it as my ideas come to me instead of being a 'day to day' thing. For those who have ideas they're ready to put to the page every day, this may be different- but that's just me!
Also, VERY excited about the rotary cutter! I knew there was a reason I didn't let myself buy it last time I was at Michael's!
I am a serial journal owner. I love empty pages with the hopes of filling those pages up with doodles, sketches, words, thoughts and more. I own many started journals but not finished journals. I also love calendars. I start them but get bored with them too and they wind up sitting.
I'm not a focused person.
I received a journal in Philadelphia. It's in the red bag with my silver gel pens. I pick up my red bag and my purse and head off to work. I don't write in it everyday but I have it with me if I want to.
Journals vs. Calendars. Why must they compete? We are all different and have different needs. I think create each. I like the freedom of a journal because I can write on any page whenever I want. I like the structure of the calendar and the planning aspect of it. But sometimes feel like if I miss a day that space is wasted and I am not allowed to go back and write in that space. But, with my scrap journaling books for my boys I'm practicing going back and doodling or writing little notes in that space.
Just last night while in my shower I had an idea for an art project. A project I hope that you will participate in with me... I wrote in my journal and I'm scheduling it as my 2009 project.
Okay, I'm completely rambling and just thinking in type so... off to pack up files.
Katie- You are so lucky! I see that tool in my future!
Why not a combination of both? A calendar where you can fill in the topic of the day and any upcoming HLA events and space to add ideas, thoughts, etc. similar to what Heather said. I love the Planner Pad (got that idea right here on HLA and am totally addicted to mine). How about something similar but personalized for HLA?
What is your initial reaction to the idea of a highlowaha journal or calendar?
My initial reaction was "What a great idea:)"
the second was "What do I have to do to win one"?
A few months ago the word "Journal" scared me. Now that I am an avid "Journal" person I would say journal. I have school calendars ( 3 different schools) a girl scout calendar, an office calendar and GOD knows I dont need another calendar in my life.
I think a journal would be great because it would be something I did in my down time (right between showering and dreaming)
Whatever HLA does or creates I WANT IN!!!!!
I want a shirt, a patch, a journal, a calendar, notecards heck I always wanted to start a new collection.... Why not HLA memorabilia???
I love Maureen.
Are y'all meeting up somewhere else? I thought we were suppose to have more questions. Heading to lunch.
This is Richard. I'm posting for Claudia......so bear with me. Next question(s):
"How inclined would you be to give either the calendar or the journal as a gift?"
"What would be an appropriate price point for these items?"
F0r the first question: Journal or calendar: I like the calendar idea but with places to jot down special thoughts or ideas. I had a calendar like this for my daughter in her first year and it was very easy to track all her milestones and fun memories.
I did journal a little in college but it was not something that stayed with me to do daily.
Second question: I think either woudl be a fun gift,however I think I lean more towards the calendar- espeically if it had great trivial tidbits throughout. Something to think about each day based on what trivial holiday or fact is included. This would also be a daily reminder to newcomers to check in on the blog or share their ideas, versus the journal might not be picked up every day and used.
Third question: appropriate Price point? $10-$15???
1. Yes, I would consider giving this as a gift. In fact, I adapted a similar idea to a friendship journal that I recently started with a friend from college I'd like to keep in touch with...throughout the journal, I put certain quotes, pictures, phrases, etc. to work as a prompt for what to update each other on for that page. Some of my ideas were things that came right from highlowaha, one example being that we would set a date for a cupcake picnic next time I was in Louisville (following when we get to that page in the journal).
2. I would be willing to pay between $10-$15 for such gift.
Sorry folks about snafu in today's focus group. Thanks for rolling with the punches and playing along anyway. The 3:00 and 5:00 posts will be timely. Promise.
Next question (though feel free to go back and answer the other ones).
What would we have to do to make this calendar or journal uniquely "highlowaha?"
Really quickly before heading off to class- this will be my last contribution for today as I'm off to class, dinner off campus with my staff and then to a Grey's premiere party...
To make it uniquely highlowaha, I think having a passage in the front about this calendar/journal being a challenge to do the things you normally wouldn't do would be appropriate. I also think having the prompts/challenges throughout it, which would be built off of highlowaha topics (cupcake picnic, friendship journals, peanut and shell, etc.) would be important. Many of the highlowaha topics are challenges outside of the 'normal' day to day life...also what I think makes this blog unique!
Getting crazy over here... so, yes- I would consider giving as a gift and I think it would need to be in the $15-$18 range.
Will have to think the latest question.
One more additional thought- if you end up going with a calendar, what if it had features like a university planner for students has? Instead of dates for home games, how about dates for virtual dinner parties, talk like a pirate day, etc.
Unique to Highlowaha? Have your weeks themed much like you do on the blog with Whack an Idea Wednesday, and Free for All Fridays, Taste of USA trip, etc. Making a huge day out of Feb 18th- or 218 would have to be a must.
And bringing in an idea from yesterday about giving this gift (calendar or Journal) and the recipient then has to pay it forward or find the next "idea" person to gift with a new calendar or journal from highlowaha.
If you read back on yesterdays post you will see that I posted this there first- then realized I was on the wrong day! oops
Uniquely HLA?! How about RAY on the front cover?! YES!
I also like Katie's ideas thus far!
HLA trivia included along with HLA creative ideas/tips scattered throughout.
Cheryl mentioned that she has a small bag that holds her HLA journal and markers. She grabs it with her briefcase each morning on the way to work, so she can record ideas throughout the day.
Provided we created a journal and/or calendar... describe how you would incorporate it into your existing routine. In other words would you supplement a calendar/journal you already have or would this become your primary? Would it stay in one spot or would you carry it with you?
I woudl have it at work as I am always looking for new creative ideas for programs for our community (family housing) here at teh Univ of Montana. I ahve student staff who may also find some of these ideas a great avenues for getting people to connect with each other. So- mine woudl be a work to keep the creative mind flowing and for more visibility for others to see as well.
forgopt to spell check that- sorry!
I would take mine back and forth. Mainly because I use check in with HLA throughout the day and if it isn't with me I'll forget to write.
I currently have mine from Philly in my night table next to my bed. Every night before turning the lights out, I do two things. First, I write in my scrapjournal anything from that day that I feel was significant and I'll want to remember. Then, I pull out my HLA journal and write down any creative ideas I developed during the day, or an idea that was discussed on the blog for the day that I want to do at some point in the future. So, if we did a calendar, it would go in that drawer, too.
I'm fifteen minutes early with this post, since I have to pick my boys up and I don't want to wait until 5:00.
What questions did I not think to ask with regard to a highlowaha journal/calendar? What else do I need to know/consider as I continue developing this idea?
As far as personalizing it... everyone has given great input. I of course love Ray and would love to see him in there. Taking from the Altoids Table, I think the words of encouragement should be sprinkled throughout. And then, challenges to think and do things for others.
What have you missed? What size would everyone like to see?
-Would you yourself want one?
YES!
-How can we incorporate our journals into the blogging?
Could free for all fridays be a time when we all share the thoughts that have been brewing in our journals/calendars all week?
-Can the journals/calendars have an information section at the front or back with important HLA info (i.e. Von Oech's principles, what HLA means, the spirit of 218 information, quick reference for our "key players" and how to get in touch with one another)
I think $10-15 would be appropriate... more if you had stickers or embellishments, or an add a page, book marks, tabs...
if you went the calendar route...new holidays (National Take your mother - in - law out to dinner day) Every year I'm sure new things are added...You'd have to maintain your blog, or your virtual interactive web page that would list all the events for the entire month or a week at a glance.
Think of Martha Stewarts calendar in her magazine...
Inspirational thoughts, with blanks to fill in... price of gas, price of a movie, favorite song on your ipod, recipesthis date in history....
don't know if you can mass market them, I think unique gifts would be cool.
Do a google search and see what might be out there for interactive journals or calendars, look at card making and scrapbooking sites... they do a lot of journaling...
I'd look more for you, and will if you ask... but I'm off to stamp camp for the evening!!!
One question to consider:
-If it's a calendar, what would be the start date be? 2/18?
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