Artefact

The deadline is soon approaching and I am trying to make the finishing touches and last minute edits to my work. I thought I'd give you all a little insight into what I have been doing.

For my Artefact I intend to design ‘The Dancers Notebook’ that will effectively convey the findings from my inquiry to other professional freelance dancers and would be accessible and beneficial to my professional community. It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to do as initially I wanted to create a website or leaflet or some kind of small book however from discussions with my Special Interest Groups, my tutor and personal time spend brainstorming various ideas I came to the conclusion that I wanted a more tactile way of producing my findings.

The professional community I am aiming at is professional freelance dancers and although my inquiry is based on injured dancers I wanted to ensure that my artefact would be accessible. I aimed to write it in a way which was beneficial to all dancers and still provided the advice about dealing with injury which I had discovered in my inquiry. I understand that some academic notebooks begin with a several pages that would include information on a certain subject. For example, a map of the world or foreign currency. I wanted to use this idea and mould it into something that would relate to dancers.

I began by creating a general structure that supplied note sections for different aspect of freelance jobs. I created profiles that offered specific space for notes on costumes, rehearsals and performances on each job. I also ensured there was space for general notes as I am aware that many people have there own unrelated things they may wish to include in a notebook. 

I have decided to set it out my ‘Dealing with Injury’ section mid way through the notebook as I felt that having it at the beginning made the notebook seem specific to injury and I wanted it to be usable for all freelance dancers. I have divided it into subheadings derived by the advice given by the dancers who participated in my survey and interviews and each section is made up of a couple of pages. 

The Sections are

• Remain Positive
• Set Goals
• Visualisation
• Keep yourself Busy

Throughout each of these I offer advice of how to carry out these objectives and I offer space in order to take part in some short activities that promote positive thinking.

I also had added a Calendar at the end of the notebook. I felt this was a vital tool for a freelance dancer as it is imperative that time organised so that you can book in work and free time. I also felt it would be beneficial to injured dancers as it allows them to plan activities that gives them something to look forward to during their time of injury.

I feel this will adequately reflect the work I have done in my Inquiry. As it is a notebook and I know that all dancers carry notebooks to rehearsals I feel that it something I know that will be used and the information it holds will be beneficial to dancers in my professional community.

I hope everything is going well for everyones work. Not long now, Good Luck! x