In the words of my estemed professor, "chapambrose.com sucks!"
I aways seem to get to this point when blogging a project. It usually happens around the ideation phase, I guess it's just such an internal dialogue that I find it hard to translate into words. I also feel it might cheapen the experience in some weird way, but that's another conversation.

Coming up with concepts isn't some mystical rain dance for me. I usually find it to be a very linear, problem oriented process. Discussing the issues that need to be solved and then blurting out the first thing in my head that would solve that issue. Initially most of the ideas actually create more difficulties than they cure, but through a meshing and melting of ideas, connections can be drawn and the "best" solution can usually be distilled.

For this project I feel particularly drawn to people struggling with substance abuse. This stems from my direct and personal relationship with B, a man literally dying because of his habits. This specific situation requires compassion and honesty. I can immediately throw out the "jacket that converts into a sleeping cot idea" not only because it's trite and demeaning, but also because I fear giving something of value to a person who's life is controlled by chemicals and whose focus is on the acquisition of those chemicals.

So they question I face: do I create a product with no outside value OR one with such personal value (such as family heirlooms and photos) that no individual would want to part with it, nor would it be worth anything to anyone else?