Project Bronzeberry

Bronzeberry

The back page of my journal is where I record all of my favorite ideas. That is where I’ve stored my idea of projects in the QR code space and that is where I’ve jotted down the idea of Bronzeberry. Project Bronzeberry was the result of brainstorm collaboration between a creative genius (Joshua Dance) and a dissatisfied student (me).

We dreamt of a site that provides students with meaningful class projects by connecting professors with real businesses. Students will receive real world experience, network with professionals of their industries, and be more motivated to create real value. Bronzeberry.

We started working on the project for a class but it quickly took on a life of its own.  Of course I started designing the site right away.

Bronzeberry was where I re-learned the importance of talking with users.  Often what we think people will need, and what they think they need are very different things.

Josh and I interviews and called many businesses and professors.  I personally found over 100 projects that businesses wanted students to work on worth almost $20,000.  The problem with Bronzeberry was the other side, the professors.  We found very few professors who even understood the concept and what it could lead to.

In the end Bronzeberry was retired, but the lessons that I took from it helped me in my work on QR codes.  Side projects can be a useful way to learn lessons, and develop skills in the “practice field”.  Just make sure you don’t allow your side projects to get in the way of your big idea.