A Crash Course on Creativity, with Professor Tina Seelig at Stanford University. Lecture 2: Paying Attention. Observation Lab Assignment.

1. this week
in my first real try
I saw the world
with open eyes

2. here’s what I discovered

3. full disclosure:
I am a shopaholic

4. and apparently not a
particularly observant one!

5. shared p reference
for shi ny finish on
signs

6. please, never make your
customers open their own door!

7. I’d never before
looked down at the
flooring
judging by the
unremarkable
laminate, I suspect
that other customers
would not be
bothered to do so
either

8. and why would we,
when there’s so
h
m uc h else to catc
our attention?

9. silence ain’t golden
but soft, indiscernible music and customer
conversation are!

10. some stores don’t seem to care
much for customer service
small number of inattentive salespeople
(appearing to dodge customer inquiries)
long, tedious checkout lines during peak hours
self checkout avoids contact altogether!

11. though I prefer not to be harassed
by aggressive salespeople
but to initiate contact
should the need arise

12. hiring policies seemed
not to discriminate
equal proportion of men and women
of various ages
and temperament!

13. ope n s pac es
bright lights

14. everyone loves a
bargain!

15. opportunities abound
to improve the customer experience

16. like this store did!

17. so what normally
catches my attention?

18. bright colours that evoke
feelings of happiness and
energy…
enticing aromas that
remain consistent across
chains to increase
feelings of comfort and
familiarity…

19. …a glimpse of myself in
the mirror?

20. I learned
s o much
th is week

21. and all I had to do

22. was to think
like a traveller

23. and pay attention