Preliminary Findings on Project File Naming
A creative file has received a careful, professional name before any work inside it exists to justify the name.
Preliminary Findings: Project File Naming
Subject: Project file naming behavior as a pre-execution ritual in creative work contexts.
Background: A project was initiated. Before any content was produced, the file required a name. The name was provided. The name-provision process lasted twenty-six minutes.
Primary Finding:
The original file name was the subject's working title, typed quickly. The subject reviewed the title and determined it was too informal for a project of this scope. A revised name was produced.
The revision introduced a version number. The version number implied prior versions. Prior versions did not exist.
A secondary revision removed the version number and replaced it with a date. The date was considered and rejected: dates imply the file is temporary. A third name was produced.
The governing rule applies: project file naming may expand until preparing the work becomes safer than showing the work. Each name revision improved the file's apparent credibility. The file contained nothing.
Secondary Finding:
After twenty-two minutes, the subject became aware that the file's name was visible in recent documents on their computer. The subject considered that anyone viewing this screen would see the file name. The file name therefore created a public impression of the project.
The name was revised once more to match what the subject hoped the project would become.
Third Finding:
The final name is professional, specific, and appropriately titled. It implies a completed project of clear purpose.
The file contains a placeholder.
Status: The file naming is complete. The file naming was the first work performed on this project. The file name will require revision once the file contains something that could either confirm or contradict it.
That revision has been noted as a future task.