WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY BE JJUMPING OFF CLIFFS AND DEVELOPING OUR WINGS ON THE WAY DOWN ― KURT VONNEGUT W T G GREAT AGE MI A MINDS T THOMA EVERYTH LIFE’S C BERT EIN REFLECTIVE JOURNAL DANGER C CALLED DE LEAR YOU CA Y
DESIGN WORKSHOP Emily Thom as
DESIGN WORKSHOP REFLECTIVE JOURNAL EMILY THOMAS - 760281
PART A FRAMING, DESIGNING AND SOURCING IDEAS
KEY: LECTURES HOMEWORK WORKSHOP STUDIOS EXTRAS Link to current studio = Bold Reflective Thinking = Italics Goals and further development = Bolded Italics
WEEK 1 Introduction
Lecture Exercise
1.1A LECTURE - Quick Sketching beginning with these, even if they weren’t the most important. For example; South End of Mark Street, Brunswick, has a notable South end of Mark Street, Brunswick, c1981 - The notable garage pattern caught my eye first
garage which I draw first, despite the outline of the building pos-
Part I: Quick Sketching
ing as the logical beginning step
I found this exercise quite
now that the time pressure has
disarming at first as I am some-
ceased. Maybe this approach is
one who likes to take time mak-
my right brain at work while my
ing things right - drawing straight
left brain thinks too slowly for
lines and detailing correctly. I
this exercise. The landscapes
quickly got used to the task and
were more difficult to draw, per-
was surprised at the outcome.
haps since I was more comforta-
With only limited time, I found
ble with buildings as this was the
myself choosing the notable fea-
focus of my course.
tures of the buildings and
I would like to try the exercise again and see if knowing how I approached the exercise would make me approach it in a different way.
Lecture Notes on Design Processes
1.1B+C LECTURE - Design Process and Design Thinking
without following a set of rules. Perhaps this could be helpful in Studio Air when designing my lightweight pavilion? I rePeriodic Table of Visualisation Methods - Shows many ways one can generate ideas
Part II: The Design Process The outline of design process-
alise now that design isn’t about following a logical rule set, it can be about following where your thoughts take you.
es was way more detailed than I expected it to be. Having done
Part III: Design Thinking
visual
design
While confusing at first, I do now
as a subject in year eleven and
understand designerly thinking
twelve, I have always followed
and its benefits. Knowing and
the set design process we had to
being able to divide thinking
memorise for the exams. I think
into categories would help me
this is also because this was a
to practice more designerly
very logical way to approach
thinking and evaluate how I
design, something that I relate
complete tasks.
to
communication
with my way of thinking. While the processes pre-
sented in the lecture we similar to this, I realised there were so many more ways to generate ideas or design something
1.2A HOMEWORK - Reading Imagine, Jonah Lehrer
came from an epiphany - that
The narrative style of writ-
there is always a block and then
ing was most enjoyable about
a random breakthrough occurs
this piece and made it was
out of no where. I find it hard to
easier to read. However, I did
believe anything is random so I
not agree with all the conclu-
think epiphanies in the reading
sions. I agree that the brain is
were actually people being able
divided into hemispheres and
to understand the signals from
that the left brain deals with
both sides of their brain at the
details while the right brain
same time. (This was also dis-
makes connections (mostly be-
cussed in Music Psychology).
cause this was the main focus
While the concepts in the
of the lecture in my breadth;
reading may not be of use to me
Music Psychology) I agree that
in the future, I believe reading
there is no creative side and
disparate texts from different
logical side of the brain, its just
subjects has made me think crit-
how people interpret the brain
ically about this one. This may
signals that give them certain
help with understanding and
traits. However, the main point
engaging with readings in the
of the reading was that creativity
future.
McBride Charles Ryan 2005: Dome House, Naveno Court, Hawthorn
Future Systems: Malator House, coastal Wales
1.2B FAVOURITE BUILDINGS ing about the buildings was where I learnt - this forced me to reflect on what I liked about the buildings and express them in MZ (Marwan Zgheib) Architects, 2014: Ring House Atelier, UAE
words. I discovered in addition to
I tried to pick favourites
the concepts of the buildings,
quickly as we did the design ex-
that I admired the simplicity and
ercise quickly, and was unsur-
use of geometry as this is some-
prised to find I picked quirky
thing I struggle doing in my own
buildings that seemed to hold
designs. I could probably learn
a deeper metaphorical mean-
from this and create in my stu-
ing (I discovered in my Stu-
dio something simplistic, yet
dio that I like conceptual de-
notable, like in these favourite
sign after reading ‘Speculative
buildings I chose.
Everything’). Writ-
From Studio Air - Speculative Everything: Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, 2013 While not from design workshop, I wanted to discuss this reading as it linking to the thinking task. The text reviewed the manner in which designers created abstract designs which make humans feel a certain way, a notion which resonated with me. I think this is why I was drawn to the buildings in the thinking exercise.
Refining logo design
1.2C DESIGN A LOGO signed logos on what I knew or logos I had seen before (we designed a lot of logos in high school). Without realising, I generated ideas then developed and refined them, unconsciously following the design process I always followed. Yet, perhaps there were First Attempt Logo Design
still some changes in the way I
As I discovered after the
created the logo; without having
lecture, I still (two years later)
a certain number of outcomes
rely on the strict design pro-
dictated, I stop generating when-
cess I learnt in year eleven and
ever I wanted and I came up with
twelve. So I tried to break away
the logo I was happy with. Per-
from this strict process and de-
haps if I did this again, I would
signed the logo in a different
try to break even more from
way which proved much more
the ingrained process and try
difficult than I thought it would
to design following something
be. Without extensively look-
from one of the texts mention-
ing at precedents, I still de-
ing in the lecture.
The best ideas did not come first
1.3A WORKSHOP - Boxes The exercises in the work-
ising design ideas in bed at night
shop bolstered the ideas in the
and in the shower, but I tend to
lecture. The first exercise where
only draw the ideas when I have
we had to divide a box into four
something I really love.
equal parts was actually real-
But what if I drew all of
ly hard. Everyone wanted to go
my ideas, maybe I would see
first once we realised what was
the potential of these ideas, or
happening and once the gen-
they could help generate more
eral ways of dividing the box
ideas. My ideation process
were explored, the more inter-
could really benefit from this
esting outcomes were devised.
and I will try it in my Studio.
I found myself unable to think
The point of the exercise, how-
of new outcomes on the spot in
ever, was that there were infinite
my head, so maybe next time, I
solutions. We shouldn’t stick
would draw the boxes by hand
with the first idea that pops into
instead of relying on visualising.
our head, and perhaps I will try
This wasn’t the point of the ex-
to generate more ideas (a set
ercise, but I do a lot of visual-
number?) before moving onto my final idea.
“Feeling Headless”
“Following my dreams”
Thinking “outside the box”
The drawings from the Pictionary exercise
1.3B WORKSHOP - Pictionary their brains were processing my drawings (they were taking literal meanings) I drew a fairy in hope to come up with “Fairytale”. DurMy attempt to draw “narrative”
ing the exercise, I realise I was
The Pictionary exercise was
trying to design based on what
more difficult than I thought and
the other team mates were see-
when we actually did the exer-
ing. In studios, my designs usu-
cise, I feel like all of us changed
ally get criticised for logic flaws
the words mid-drawing or ac-
and I am unable to stand up for
cepted synonyms as answers. I
the ideas. It was the same in this
went last so I had more time to
exercise, I changed my word
think of a word to describe my
mid-exercise to fit with what the
design style but I still went with
others were saying.
my first answer “narrative”. I be-
I would like to work on
gan drawing a book but the team
this in the future, instead of
associated this with book smarts
changing my ideas to suit
and intelligence. The complete
others, I would like to design
opposite of what I wanted.
something completely unrealis-
Once I had figured out how
tic - something suitable for my design approach.
What you think is not important. It is only Important
what you do
A monster Calls Patrick Ness
Image by Jim Kay, A Monster Calls, <http://monsterbrains.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/a-monster-calls.html> [accessed: 12/03/2017]
1.4 QUOTE I
came
across
this
on thinking about the ideas, but
quote when reading â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Mon-
as Patrick Ness says, this is not
ster Callsâ&#x20AC;? by Patrick Ness and
as important as actually doing
wanted to include it because I
something.
thought it could provide inspi-
It is not going to benefit
ration for my design process.
me to sit and think through the
I know this quote has a different
execution and wonder if I could
meaning from what I am going to
make a design better. I need to
relate to this subject, but I think it
put my energy into making the
reflects how I spend a lot of time
design better instead and per-
thinking about ideas and not a lot
haps I will devise more success-
of time testing and prototyping
ful outcomes.
during the execution phases because of the excessive time spent
Michael Hansmayer,The Sixth Order, 2011 < http://dandyvonnuetzen.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/ art-of-computational-architecture.html> [accessed: 09/03/2017]
1.5 PRECEDENTS The Sixth Order, by Mi-
composed ideas).
chael Hansmayer comes from my
I think this could be a good
studio air precedent research of
starting point for my studio air
computational architecture and
pavilion design as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complexity
its benefits.
looks interesting, yet light which
I thought the design was
would fit with the brief.
unique an complex, something
Perhaps I could apply the
only possible under a short time
complex geometry to a surface
limit using computation rath-
or a beam instead of capitals in
er than computerisation (using
a column to create my own de-
computers to model already
sign.
SUMMARY
This week, the main thing I think that stood out w
to see that the best design is not the first or second one
design. I usually design very little variation of ideas befo not the best way to design.
What was also notable about this week was the dr
very differently, than when I have more time. Maybe this quickly, then do a certain number taking whatever time I did not expect.
as the boxes activity in the workshop. It was interesting
e you come up with, I could be the tenth or the fifteenth
ore I choose one and start developing so perhaps this is
rawing activity in the lecture: when thinking fast, I think
s could be interesting to explore, I could generate ideas I want. Maybe the time pressure will elicit some designs
WEEK 2 Generating Ideas
Lecture notes
2.1A LECTURE
tually doing the movements to learn them. I had never heard of know-
End Target Learners • Are people using different learning strategies under different learning conditions – the University ideal Lecture slide about the ideal learning style
ing styles however. I feel like I am an absolute knower, I need to logically process all I need to do for each assignment and work out how to maximise my end result. I am even following this style
Knowing and Learning Styles:
now by focusing my time on this
The learning styles were
reflective journal as it forms all
different to what I had learnt in
of the assessment for this sub-
“Sports Coaching”, however, they
ject. I never really thought about
were somewhat similar. I have
how inhibiting this style was un-
always known that I am a mix-
til now. Now that I can see the
ture of a visual and kinaesthetic
benefits of contextual learners
learner (Professor Gary Allison
and how their skills could apply
refers to these as visual and ac-
to different fields, I want to try
tive learning). This development
and adopt this knowing style so
of my learning styles is probably
I will hope to spend this week
due to my love for art and “see-
trying to follow this style.
ing” the world as well as my dance training which necessitates ac-
Shanghai 2006
My attempt at the hat exercise
2.1B LECTURE - Exercises Design a chair: With such little time to design, having a design agenda developed really helped when coming up with possibilities for the My attempt at the chair exercise
chair. I focused on three things:
Uses of a Hat:
creating a chair for comfort, sup-
This was a fun exercise which
port and aesthetics. While there
forced me to think outside the
should have been many more
box. I think I enjoyed this be-
considerations, narrowing down
cause I was used to brainstorm-
my thinking helped. I designed
ing in this way: beginning with
chairs which supported the back
a key word and associating all I
and also looked comfortable and
could think of with this word. I
inviting. When designing my
have tried this in many of my
pavilion for studio air, I will try
studios when trying to come up
to narrow down my focus and
with ideas and it is very help-
instead of designing something
ful. I have never tried to think
to solve everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems,
of different uses explicitly for a
I will design something to re-
building (for example) and will
solve maybe one problem.
try this for my next design.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just keep having the shear human love and stubbornness to keep showing upâ&#x20AC;?
Elizabeth Gilbert Ted Talk
2.2A HOMEWORK - Ted Talk As a writer as well as a designer,
ing breadth that semester, I will
I was interested in the concepts
put aside my writing until I get
of this speech and was quite
this insane desire to write again
moved by her notion at the end.
(which only happens maybe twice
I understand the fear people in
a year). But Elizabeth Gilbert said
creative
possess,
artistry doesn’t have to lead to
although it had not occurred to
anguish. Maybe if I were to fol-
me that this fear isn’t inerrant
low her advise in the talk and
in other fields. I just assumed
simply try my best and stop fo-
everyone felt the same way; fear
cusing on doing the best work
that you will never create any-
possible, I could have more
thing good enough. But now that
success in writing. And maybe
I think about it; I can see how it
my designs wouldn’t be so safe. I
affects only the creative fields.
will try in my studio this semes-
professions
And while uni pushes me
ter to push the limits and break
to complete designers and follow
the rules, designing something
through on ideas I have, I don’t
that may not be “the best” but
have the same push for writing.
that won’t matter. Because at
Writing for me is a hobby and un-
least I may design something I
less I am doing a creative writ-
never thought of before.
2.2B Homework - Stay Creative I found it strange how I did a lot of these things already unconsciously in order to come up with creative ideas, but I never really thought of them as a creative process, more like things I liked doing. When trying to come up with design er
ideas,
really
I
have
thought
of
nevmy
process, I just spend a couple of days thinking it through and suddenly I have an idea. But apparently that idea comes from me doing these things on the list to the right. Inspired by this list, I documented my day and highlighted the things that inspired creative thoughts in order to pin point my process.
Monday: 13/03/17
(Came up with an idea for a short
8:30 am - Wake up
story)
9:00 am - Eat breakfast while watch-
4:00 - At work (Dance Teaching)
ing Youtube
(Had an idea when a kid showed me
(Was inspired by a quote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;you are
how she could dance with the scarves)
in control of your thoughtsâ&#x20AC;? - John
6:00 - Dinner
Green, 100 Days)
7:30 Driving to Dancing 8:00 - Danc-
10:00 - Study
ing
12:00 - Exercise
9:00 - Shower
(Came up with one design idea for
(Came up with an idea for a new lay-
studio air while stretching)
out for this journal)
1:00 - Lunch
9:30 - Study
2;00 - Study
10:30 - Reading (A Thousand Pieces
(Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert Ted
of You by Claudia Gray)
Talk)
(Wondered if I could use inter-dimen-
3:30 - Driving to work
sional travel as a concept for my design)
2.2B DOCUMENTING This exercise was actually very
my brain is not thinking uncon-
helpful. It made me document
sciously at this stage because I
when I came up with the ideas
have to be constantly aware of
and I was unsurprised to learn a
everything happening around
lot of my ideas came from me do-
me, I was still inspired by some-
ing things listed in the video (29
thing one of my students said.
Ways to Stay Creative). However,
Maybe collaboration should be
a lot of ideas came from when I
a process I undertake when try-
switched my brain over to uncon-
ing to come up with ideas. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m
scious thinking, when I stopped
not a person who likes group
forcing ideas, I started coming
work but maybe I could give it
up with ideas really quickly. I
a try this time to see if anyone
also came up with an idea when
else can inspire something in
I was at work and even though
my design.
Sleeping Pod - Digital Design and Fabrication
2.2C FRAME OF REFERENCE the warning lights that protected the user in the pod. To accommodate for comfort, we created a warm and soft interior with Sleeping Pod - Digital Design and Fabrication
perforated elements in the cardboard which created an effect
Our frame of reference for the
as if the user was looking at the
Sleeping Pod design was to cre-
stars. Constellations lined the
ate something with the following
roof of the sleeping pod which
traits:
emulated comfort and sleep.
- Portability
Writing all this down I think
- Comfort
showed me that having a frame
- Protective
of reference really drove the design, especially since we referred
The design was based on an
back to it often in this studio.
echidna - the spikes protect-
I will try to use a frame of ref-
ing the user from invasion of
erence as well in my next de-
personal space. There were a
sign and see if it still helps and
number of features such as
affects the form in any way.
the thick spiky material and
Descriptive Models of Creative Design, Nigel Cross, 1997
2.2D READINGS Descriptive Models of Creative Design, Nigel Cross, 1997 The Fluid Plural, The Multiple Arts, Alex Selenitsch, 2007 What Inspires Designers?, Milene Gonc¸ alves, Carlos Cardoso and Petra Badke-Schaub, 2013 Observing Environmental Behaviour, John Ziesel, 2006
spectives on a topic. These processes are as follows: - Changing a concept (generating and developing) - Using analogies or metaphors to come up with ideas
I chose to read all the readings
- Using past precedents and al-
and discuss them at once as they
tering them
followed similar ideas. Most of
- Beginning with a function then
the authors believed that inspi-
devising a form around it
ration was random and occurred
Now that Cross has pointed these
as a sudden realisation of a new
processes out, it’s obvious that I
perspective.
Cross
use them every day when coming
(whom I resonated with the
up with ideas. I usually like to jot
most) argued that a quick pro-
down where my ideas came from
cess happens inside our brains
when I take note of them. How-
which we don’t pay attention to.
ever, I don’t really use form
This process allows us to come
follows function so maybe I
up with
could use this process to come
However,
ideas we perceive as
‘new’ but are really altered per-
up with ideas for studio air.
South Lawn
2.3A WORKSHOP - Site Analysis choose the best site with the time I had available. Had we been made to choose just one site, I would have stuck with the concrete lawn and missed discovering the qualities of the reflection
South Lawn
With such a limited amount
pool I liked.
of time, I felt like my ideas were
Being made to take differ-
forced to flow a lot faster than
ent photos and look at the site
usual.
from different perspectives was
However, I did see myself
also helpful. I had to look closer
making snap decisions that may
at the site rather than seeing it
have not been the best ones,
as a whole entity.
such as the choices for the site.
I will have to visit the site
I chose the most obvious bare
soon for Studio Air so I will try
spots of land across the cam-
this technique (since it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
pus (The Concrete Lawn, South
take very long) and see if I can
Lawn
Lawn).
find inspiration from some-
forced
thing on the site.
and
University
However,
being
to
three
choose
sites,
I
did find that I was able to
Concrete Lawn Site
Michael Hansmayer,The Sixth Order, 2011 < http://dandyvonnuetzen.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/art-of-computational-architecture.html> [accessed: 09/03/2017]
2.3B WORKSHOP - Diagramming The next task was to dia-
was very logical and precise.
gram a given precedent in ten
She focused on details and get-
minutes and compare with some-
ting the images right while I
one else.
drew sketchy images and arrows
I found it useful to see how
giving an impression of how I
another person in the group han-
thought the building worked. I
dled the task, our drawings were
think this is because with the little
completely different. While I fo-
time, I worried I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able
cused on the geometry of the site,
to focus on the details (which is
Caroline focused on the function
something I do often) and I omit
and the overall appearance of
important facts in order to finish
the building. She drew plans and
quickly. But the thought of work-
elevations while I drew perspec-
ing without caring about a time
tives and I drew much bigger
line scares me, I could never for-
while she drew lightly with pen-
get about deadlines and maybe I
cil.
could focus on that in the next I
had
never
really
thought about other ways of diagramming until now, but I see that Carolineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach
exercise, try doing something that is not finished.
Serpentine Pavilion Herzog and DeMuron
Crazy Nineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Designing and Generating
2.3C WORKSHOP - Designing I usually design things in
and followed precedents, but
my head, trying to get a head
eventually, I ran out of ideas and
start on design projects so when
with no time to think, I just start-
the time comes to actually draw
ed drawing random shapes to fill
design ideas, I find it hard to
up the page.
come up with new ideas.
I was surprised at the re-
It was the same in this ex-
sults: one of the designs where
ercise, as soon as the brief was
I just wanted to fill up the page
pitched, I began designing in my
ended up as my final choice.
head and thought I had a pretty
(Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure if this was my final
finished design by the time we
choice because it was random
left the room to look at sites.
and I wanted to do something
But when we had to design
fun or if I chose it because it was
nine different projects, I forced
the best. But I do think that this
myself to let myself just draw.
design turned out pretty well in
The were
what
first
designs
I
already
had
come up with in my head
the final stages)
Developing ideas
2.3D WORKSHOP - Final Design Twenty minutes to come up
time. It was hard to let go and
with a final design seemed like a
stop thinking because I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
long time after having to draw pro-
have time to think, but once I
jects in one minute time blocks.
did, I actually enjoyed designing
However, once again, giv-
the Subway Station. The most re-
en a short time frame, I focused
warding part was the generating
on the overall picture and used
ideas, each in a minute and I will
sketchy lines to create an im-
try this in my Studio, though
pression of my final design.
this may be hard to do since I
Eventually though, I ran
need to use computational de-
out of plans and elevations to do
sign to generate forms. Maybe I
so I sketched a quick detail of
will alter this exercise and give
how my design actually worked.
myself five minutes er design
The overall design task was
to compensate for the comput-
actually much harder than I expected, but also easy at the same
er processing time.
Developing Design
Grasshopper Algorithmic Sketching
2.4 GENERATING IDEAS The
algorithmic
sketch
I think using this software,
book in Studio Air is where I
I have discovered I am more con-
explore ideas and algorithms
fident in making designs. This
quickly to create a pool of ideas
may be due to the inability to
that I can use for my Studio De-
make mistakes. When drawing
sign task.
on paper with a pen, it is difficult
I am particularly happy with
to change things and I tend to be
this sketch as it is complex and
stuck with the idea once I have
easily manipulated into different
come up with it and am usual-
forms. It also somewhat resem-
ly reluctant to change it, even if
bles a pavilion which is what the
there is a better way to do it. I am
brief asks for.
attached to the drawings I do be-
Based on the lecture from
cause they take a lot of work and
this week, I have been trying to
often they all explore interesting
design outcomes quickly to see
ideas that I want to keep devel-
where they lead. This is some-
oping, I don’t want to choose just
what difficult in Grasshopper
one idea.
due to slow processing speeds
However, in Grasshopper,
for complex algorithms but it is
I can alter designs quickly and
easy to make slight alterations
find ‘the best’, instead of ‘the
and come up with many designs
first’ and my designs quickly be-
from one definition.
come much better developed.
SUMMARY
I had no idea how many different ways there were
ideas. I think for the most part, I did this subconsciou working together in a group could help when I have to
I think the crazy nines drawing exercise will be th
often spend too much time on each ideas, but limiting
me to come up with many designs, meaning I could find
e to actually get inspired and come up with interesting
usly, but knowing that I can try many more things like
design in the future.
he best for me when generating ideas, my problem is I myself to a minute or even thirty seconds could allow
d the best one.
WEEK 3 Design Sprints
Lecture design sprint exercise and lecture slides
3.1 LECTURE As an introduction to de-
enough time in the research
sign sprints, the lecture pre-
phases unless assessment neces-
sented many ways which I could
sitates it. But now I understand
begin designing for my studio
that I should allocate more time
and subsequent design tasks.
to understanding and research-
I have never heard of Google
ing and less to generating ide-
Ventureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design sprints before,
as which often takes up most of
but it seems like a sped up pro-
my time. I usually spend most
cess of my own design process.
of the allocated time design-
However, Linus did sep-
ing and changing ideas, only
arate each of the stages of the
to finally present one in week
design sprints into elements
twelve which is under-devel-
which was interesting as I could
oped. I also think I need to
see everything that needed to be
spend more time on the proto-
done in order to design. I often
typing phases and maybe even
skip many of these steps, includ-
try other methods of presenta-
ing referring back to the brief.
tion rather than just drawing.
Upon listening to the lecture,
I enjoy writing so I will take Li-
I would say that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spend
nusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; advice and incorporate it into my design process.
3.2A DESIGN SPRINTS A more detailed analysis
one of nine in five minutes. It of-
than what was presented in the lec-
ten takes me days to find inspi-
ture, I further reflected on my own
ration for one design and while
design process and compared it
I do keep all these ideas filed
to Google Ventureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5 day sprint.
away for when I need to design
I wonder if perhaps de-
something, I could not just come
sign sprints allow better ideas
up with one on the spot.
to surface because one is not
In saying that, I often find
over-thinking them or if they are
it hard to alter my pre-conceived
simply
ideas
ideas to fit the brief. But when I
that had little time for re-working.
have such a well-developed and
I think maybe this pro-
well-thought out idea, I find it
under-developed
cess may work better as a group
hard to let it go.
thing. With many people gener-
I have an idea for studio
ating ideas quickly all at once, it
Air that I have been working
seems they would come up with
on, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it will fit
a multitude of ideas to try. I am
with the brief anymore. I will
sceptical as to whether a single
try these design sprints and
designer could design enough
see if I can generate even bet-
ideas to come up with the best
ter ideas that actually fit the problems in the brief.
Design Sprints Notes (on left hand side)
-5 DESIGN STYLESo Unintended design: when a team focus on development and deployment instead of user experience. Usually you get the feedback “so frustrating nobody actually designed it”. The design is developed not based on user experience. o Self-Design: Teams design using their experience as a development point. This is informed by team members’ own evaluation of the design. o Genius Design: The designers don’t look beyond their own experience. However, they look to their past experiences with similar products and design and evaluate based on this. o Activity Focused: research looking at a client’s activity. This is when the designer can’t rely on their own experience so they analyse the clients’. o User design: high end approach. Where designers conduct research on the users’ experiences. Involves an in depth look at goals, needs, contexts, which drive the decisions.
3.2B 5 DESIGN STYLES design style. User experience is a major part of my design process and developing something that would never consider how a No tread shown: https://www.rsea.com.au/workboots - Unintended Design (Less successful Image) Tread Shown: https://badworkwear.com.au/collections/work-boots - Genius Design (More successful image)
user may feel would go against what I believed about design.
An unconscious thing, I
Something “so frustrating no-
never really thought of myself
body actually designed it” would
having a design style. If I had to
be a poor design, in my opinion.
apply one of these styles to my-
...
self, I use a mix of genius design
After further research I
and activity focused design to
found that unintended design
evaluate ideas.
success if based on chance. Since
While this is not a bad
the designer spends so much
thing, perhaps I would bene-
time on developing and deploy-
fit from trying to use all the
ing the ‘object’, it should be
design styles like the reading
well-developed and thought-out.
suggested, taking into account
In some cases it will happen to
the brief and the design prob-
be a ‘good design’, instead of a
lems before deciding on how
‘frustrating one’. However, I will
to tackle the problems. How-
probably still avoid this style,
ever, I find it difficult to believe
unconsciously, as I have a need
that it would ever be benefi-
to take into account user experi-
cial to apply the unintentional
ence.
Hotel for the Artist: - Promote concentration - Retreat - Creative arts focus - Dance, sculpting, drawing, writing
1. Naming
2. Goals
3.3A PHASE 1 - UNDERSTAND 1. Naming
re-writing the brief again and again
I never come up with names
in order to understand it, but I also
for things, whether they are design
think it had something to do with
projects or pieces of writing or an-
the title. Since the title reflected the
ything else I create. So, I was un-
brief, I tried to incorporate it into
comfortable when this was the first
the goal and I came up with a sen-
task and we only had a few min-
tence which I think reflected the ho-
utes. However, once I forced myself
tel brief.
to stop thinking and just write ideas
3. Target Group
down, I was surprised at how many
Using a mind-map again, I wrote
I got.
down many create users of the hoI began with a title for a mov-
tel. I think this was also easy be-
ie I just watched which seemed rele-
cause the I would associate myself
vant and changed the words, associ-
with all the creative fields I came
ated different synonyms from there.
up with. Apparently all my hobbies
Using the mind-map was successful
fall under the creative category so
as I could see my thought process
it was easy to find client needs for
and I came up with a name before
each group.
the time was up. This was also a
I wonder how I would go if
fun task, so I will try to use this
the target group wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t so relata-
when coming up with a name for
ble to me. When designing a boat
anything.
house last year for Studio Water,
2. Goals
I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fathom rowers needs
Coming up with the goal was
so my design did not take into
much easier than I thought it would
account their desires for the boat
be. This may be because I am used to
house.
3. Target Group
Crazy Nines
3.3B PHASE 2 - DIVERGE With another crazy nine de-
solve the problem of light dif-
sign sprint, I am getting used to
ferentiation so I wanted to cre-
just getting my ideas down on pa-
ate more diagrammatic designs,
per quickly in a short time period.
rather than focusing on form.
This time, however, my most
This form follows function tech-
successful design was the sec-
nique is something I have always
ond one, even if they were all
hated doing as I feel constrained
quite similar. In the tutorial
to the functions I have provided
group, the most successful was
in the form of the building, but
usually the fifth or sixth design
it always happens when I have a
whereas my fifth or six designs
particular design problem.
in this particular sprint were
But designing for a problem is a
strange and seemed forced.
huge part of design so I would
I think having a design problem
like to practice this.
to solve made this task more
For air, if I try to do the
difficult. With the last sprints, I
design sprint first thinking of
wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thinking about solutions,
form, then thinking of prob-
I was thinking about aesthetics
lems. Maybe I will have differ-
and just coming up with crazy
ent results which could be in-
ideas. But the form needed to
teresting.
Site Design Context
Lighting Plan
My Design Axo Drawing
3.3C PHASE 3 - CONVERGE Upon choosing my second
the exercise showed me how much
design, I altered it slightly and ex-
one can achieve in such a little time.
panded upon the idea.
The spatial configuration of my
Since the idea was to have so
building was nearly complete in the
many stories underground, I drew
twenty minutes, so maybe if I had
an Axo which conveyed how the
more time I could have done detail-
space would be organised accord-
ing.
ing to use and distribution of light.
When voting, the first time
I found this was actually a really
my design achieved four votes
good way to convey ideas quickly
which was a medium level of votes.
as the plans were detailed as well as
Designs that had more votes were
how they fit within the overall build-
more detailed and used rendering
ing. However, I think the form of the
and entourage more so perhaps for
roof and the elements that would
presentation I could try that next
be seen from the ground level could
time. When presenting, the votes
have been developed more.
changed. My design had the most
I also drew a site plan which de-
votes (6) so I guess this means my
tailed the form of the building more
explanation was stronger than the
and a diagram of how the roof would
visuals.
filter light to certain rooms. Perhaps
Maybe I should spend more
had I had more time I could have put
time working on visuals in the fu-
more detail and care into the draw-
ture, but I have realised my pres-
ings or redrawn them taking into
entation does seem to lift the vis-
consideration more design prob-
uals to a higher level.
lems than just the light. However,
Narrative As you move down into the building, the harsh sunlight dissipates. A beam of light streams to the centre, a spot light on the communal zone where art is displayed for all. Your descent brings darkness to the corner of your eyes as you enter the areas of art and design. Light shines from pin points and shadows dance across the walls. Again, you sink lower into the depths of the hotel and you start to lose your sight. Music, muffled, comforts you as you descend once again. You enter the darkness. Only your hands and feet lead you to the centre of the room where your journey of dreams comes to a close.
3.3D PHASE 4 - PROTOTYPE My design was chosen as
that some of the zones I allocat-
the one for the tutorial group
ed should be moved elsewhere
to develop further. Had I had
due to lighting requirements.
the materials, this is probably
Only once I actually de-
where I would have started mak-
scribed the lighting did I realise
ing models and testing out the
that perhaps having art studios
roof structure as this was hard
so far down would not be prac-
to draw three-dimensionally on a
tical as they would need more
two-dimensional piece of paper.
light. I also realised that the
However, a lack of materi-
bright lights in the middle defeat-
als meant I either had to re-draw
ed the purpose of the distribution
elements and alter them many
of light. The light in my diagram
times or I could do what Linus
goes from soft natural to bright
said to do in the lecture and write
florescent which I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want.
about experience.
So maybe I could cut out the ar-
I chose to write about how
tificial light sources altogether
the light would affect the user as
or only have them accessible at
they moved through the building
night and in certain lower levels
and realised from the writing
of the building for low level lighting.
3.4 INSPIRATION - BIOMIMICRY The
algorithmic
sketch
I think using this software,
book in Studio Air is where I
I have discovered I am more con-
explore ideas and algorithms
fident in making designs. This
quickly to create a pool of ideas
may be due to the inability to
that I can use for my Studio De-
make mistakes. When drawing
sign task.
on paper with a pen, it is difficult
I am particularly happy with
to change things and I tend to be
this sketch as it is complex and
stuck with the idea once I have
easily manipulated into different
come up with it and am usual-
forms. It also somewhat resem-
ly reluctant to change it, even if
bles a pavilion which is what the
there is a better way to do it. I am
brief asks for.
attached to the drawings I do be-
Based on the lecture from
cause they take a lot of work and
this week, I have been trying to
often they all explore interesting
design outcomes quickly to see
ideas that I want to keep devel-
where they lead. This is some-
oping, I don’t want to choose just
what difficult in Grasshopper
one idea.
due to slow processing speeds
However, in Grasshopper,
for complex algorithms but it is
I can alter designs quickly and
easy to make slight alterations
find ‘the best’, instead of ‘the
and come up with many designs
first’ and my designs quickly be-
from one definition.
come much better developed.
You stand on the edge of the Yarra, looking over at Herring Island when your vision distorts and everything changes. Colours grow more intense, people start to disappear and the river turns a bright blue. Someone wearing a dark, hooded cloak approaches you and begins to speak. Don’t just stand there... Please, come forth and present your drachma to Charon for he will take you across the river Styx. No, no, do not waste my time with frivolous questions, I am quite busy... But if you must know; you are at the threshold of the underworld, of course. Where else would you be? Please do not stare at the other passengers, they are in the same boat as you. Yes I know, bad time for a pun, but I’ve been here such a long time, can’t I have some fun? Please sit down or... Too late. I did try to warn you, but never mind. You know, the others were smart enough to sit down themselves, even that child with the Pinocchio nose and those two old ladies with the drooping skin about to fall from their bones... I can say what I wish, I am in charge around here. Now please, we shall get going... No, they could not pay, those souls on the edge of the river will stay there for an eternity. Never you mind, swimming will not help them; they will only drown and their strangled cries will fade out of existence when they take their last breath... And here we are, Asphodel! Where only the ordinary reside for all of eternity. Please step onto the never ending path of Sisyphus and may you begin trudging like the rest of them. This path will never take you to a destination, only back to the beginning where you will be forced to continue your task forever. You are foolish if you think you can escape, You can never break my cycle, will only catch a glimpse of an end before that Boulder comes rushing back down the mountain for you to push it up again. Only those who are deserving make it out of asphodel and you are not one of them. But maybe you are? I see the shimmer caught your eye and now you lust after the treasure so plentiful you can only imagine. You wish to leave Asphodel for this? If that is what you want. Yes, the man with a camera for a face and the couple with their lips glued together will come as well. You all have something in common. Please watch your step! I did warn you this time, the incline is quite steep and slippery. Do not despair! Only those who are deserving make it to the fields of punishment. Those lights will forever flash and that sound will continue until you go insane like the others. Do not claw at the web, the blood is difficult to clean off. Arachne spent many hours weaving that and you disrespect her? This is why you deserve to be here, hearing the incessant clicking sound as a punishment for your sins. You say you do not belong here? But it was your choice! Those who enrage and disregard the gods and goddesses deserve their torture... Oh, very well... Back on the path of asphodel you go. Yes, yes, your gratitude is humbling but you must remember I am not merciless. The God of the underworld has some emotion. And you are lucky I like you. Now perhaps you have learnt your lesson... And there you go again, asphodel is never good enough is it? You and the Pinocchio child cannot be contained by the endless cycle of walking, can you? Fine. Attempt to climb all you wish but you will never make it. I know the weaving is particularly beautiful, Arachne did a wonderful job of articulating the impossible realm above the ground, but Only heroes make it to Elysium. Heroes and myself as I have the key! I will never let you in and you will never compare to heroes like Hercules... Yet you made it. I have never in my thousand year reign seen someone make it from the fields of punishment to Elysium before. Never. Yet here you are, unlatching the trap door and letting yourself into heaven. Save your awe for another time! I never enjoy seeing the heroes make it to paradise, if it were up to me, most would not even be allowed here. Embrace the paradise and that peace you feel because you will not be here for long. Let the beauty caress you, the array of coloured lights dance across the sinuous curves and perfect space within. Okay, enough. Close your eyes and when you open them, you will reincarnated. You leave my realm as someone else entirely. And the secret you tried to discover will still be unknown.
3.5 NARRATIVE PROTOTYPING Based on Linusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lecture, I
was writing, I focused on crazy
went back and wrote a prototype
metaphors as this is how I write
narrative for my Studio Earth de-
stories in other subjects. It was
sign as this followed a very set
strange combining my love of
narrative experience trail.
writing with architecture, I never
I tried to be creative and
really thought to do so.
show the experience through
In terms of application, I
words rather than what I did
think this could be used for my
in the actual presentation: talk
presentation in years to come.
about the three different spaces
I could use a narrative for my
and describe them.
speech which would be unique
This was a helpful experi-
and also show experience which
ence I think, as it demonstrated
is what my architecture tends
how powerful narrative can be
to focus on.
in presentation. I think while I
SUMMARY
The design sprints were a different way to generat
said this before in this journal, but I think time constrain
that design sprints take such little time to complete cou
The part this week that I think will stick with me th
other one of my loves it would be beneficial to link desi
thought to do so. This could help me to convey experie the idea further.
te ideas than I had used throughout of design life. I have
nts in design studios are my biggest problem so the fact
uld help immensely with my design process.
he most is the narrative prototyping. Since writing is an-
igning and narrative together, though I had never really
ence of the user in presentations and generally develop
WEEK 4 Design Communication
Frequency plot of people waiting in Japanese railway station, from: Canter, David V(ernon), 1974, Psychology for Architects, Applied Science Publishers, Barking, Essex, p 111. Bechtel, Robert, 1977, Enclosing Behaviour, Community Development Series No 31, Dowden Hutchinson & Ross, Stroudsberg, Pa.
Lecture design sprint exercise and lecture slides
4.1 LECTURE I thought that I often used
never thought to diagram rela-
a lot of diagramming in my de-
tionships between functions of
sign studios and design tasks,
rooms or diagram where people
which can be seen when looking
stop and stand in a circulation
back at week 2 and 3 exercises.
diagram like in the train station
However, I really only rely on the same diagrams over and over.
diagram shown in the lecture. I
never
really
thought
about how useful diagramming Diagramming is a logical
was when representing ideas and
and analytical way of showing
showing them to others. Maybe
things which makes it something
this is why my design was suc-
that I enjoy doing when trying
cessful last week, since I used di-
to present ideas. But when dia-
agrams to show my ideas rather
gramming, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t often think or
than an image of what the final
research about how I am draw-
building would look like.
ing, I just subconsciously draw my ideas on a page.
Now I think I will try to use certain types of diagrams
With a multitude of di-
mentioned in the lecture to see
agramming shown in the lec-
if this helps with my commu-
ture though, I would like to
nication of ideas to the client
try using these as a basis
when I present my Studio Air
for design to see if I come up
design.
with some different results. I
Info-graphic designed by one person*
Info-graphic designed by a team of designers working together to convey ideas* * http://boxesandarrows.com/using-design-visuals-to-communicate-ideas/
4.2A HOMEWORK - USING DESIGN VISUALS TO COMMUNICATE IDEAS While the podcast tran-
I have always designed this
script reading was supposed to
way, but perhaps if I tried to work
inspire me about diagramming,
with other people I could ‘ex-
I found that I liked another part
tend my box’ and by extension,
at the beginning. One of the
the pool of ides I would have to
speakers noted that people try
choose from.
to ‘think outside the box”, but
I wonder if this is why my
he says this is not possible. The
Digital Design Project was so
box represents our knowledge
successful, I worked with a group
and experience. In order to think
which meant we could bounce
outside our own box, we need
ideas off each other. I thought at
to enlist the help of others so
the time that it was just a project
we can combine our ‘boxes’ and
where I was compromising my
come up with more ideas.
own ideas and developing some-
So he was basically talking
thing I couldn’t be proud of be-
about group work. I have found
cause I didn’t do it by myself, but
that I am the kind of person who
I think the teamwork was benefi-
likes to work alone, I like to come
cial.
up with my own ideas and inter-
I will try to generate ide-
pretations and ignore how other
as with other people for Studio
people are approaching the task,
Air and see if that helps to ex-
even if their way is easier or better
pand my idea pool.
3 Types of Communication: - Visual Communication - Audio Communication - Audio-Visual Communication Communication is only successful if the receiver actually understands the information Image: Sourced from Communicating Design Ideas, Shows signs that are easily understood
4.2B HOMEWORK COMMUNICATING DESIGN IDEAS Most of the information
more effective than another, but
in this reading was a recap of
I would think that using a com-
what was on the year 12 Visual
bination of visual and audio
Communication exam, but this
communication would be bet-
doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean is was useless.
ter.
Having studies two years at uni-
I use a lot of text in my pres-
versity, I found that I only real-
entations as well, mostly because
ly started to understand how to
I am comfortable with writing,
communicate effectively recently.
something I feel a lot of others in
Reviewing my own pres-
my studios have not had.
entations from the last few
However, I think I now
years, I know that I often rely on
rely too much on writing. Next
audio communication more than
design task, I will try to use
visual. The reading does not say
only images and see if I can
one communication method is
present my information in a precise way that others can understand.
David McCandles, Media spending values data visual
NOTES: - Use our eyes more - Focus on important ideas - Data is the new oil / Data is the new soil - fertile creative medium - Being exposed to media - gives us knowledge of design - All need a visual aspect to design - Relative figures can lead to a change in perspective - Knowledge compression - Data can change your perspective - Design about solving problems
4.2C HOMEWORK - THE BEAUTY OF DATA VISUALISATION David McCandless Relative to the last reading in 4.2B, I see that information is so widespread nowadays, with such an unfiltered access to knowledge and media. McCandless demonstrated that data visualisation can put information in perspective, make it something easily understood. His graphics were simple, yet they put information into relatable images that I could understand and fathom. I wondered if I did this when presenting in my last studios; whether I organised my work into images that didn’t need an accompanying speech, but I don’t think I did. I often do a lot of work and research for design tasks (to fully comprehend
and understand the design solution) but I use too many pages. I think I still believe that to show work you need to use as many ‘pages’ as possible, more words and pictures are better than less. But McCandless could put up one image which showed, in one second, how much Co2 was being emitted from planes or a volcano. A simple proportionate triangle revealed the data simply, eliminating all the unnecessary parts of the information. So maybe there is a way for me to do this in Studio Air. I will try to use less pages instead of more in the final journal for the subject and convey my information simply and effectively using some of the diagram ideas McCandless used.
Diagramming happiness level on walk (Feeling)
Diagramming sound level on walk (Hearing)
Diagramming light level on walk (Sight)
Diagramming smell level on walk (Scent)
4.2D HOMEWORK - DIAGRAMMING FLINDERS STREET TO MYERS The taking notes part on the
when I adjusted the transparency. I
walk was easy, however the dia-
then tried to give the drawing a 3D
gramming was quite difficult to
feel, making it an axo with the dif-
plan. I knew to gage my experience
ferent lines on different levels as I
I could use senses as a basis for
think of things like senses as layers
research, however, once I had the
to a bigger picture. It made sense
data, organising it in a way that
to pile them on top of each other.
would be visually obvious was a
This is was also difficult to read as
challenge.
you couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see exactly where each
Having the coloured lines
of the larger values occurred. For
grow and shrink in accordance
example, when piled in an axo, you
to different intensities of senses
could not see that There was more
worked well I think, and I thought
light in the open streets. These dia-
of this easily as I had used a similar
grams are easier to read when drawn
diagram in another studio before. I
on their own plans like I have done
think I used this method because it
in my final images. Moving further,
was familiar and based on past di-
I think that it would be interest-
agrams I had seen as precedents, I
ing to try this again somewhere
could base my idea on this.
else or on a longer path and see if
However, I originally wanted to
my way of diagramming changes.
show the diagram on a single draw-
This could also be a good ideas
ing. I tried to put the lines on top of
for showing experience and cir-
one and other but this was hard to
culation in studio air when we do
read as the colours combined, even
site analysis
Photographs from my walk
Chosen design to develop
Generating design ideas
Prototyping designs
4.3A TECHNOLOGY - COMPUTATION Since Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing Studio Air
ideas in this regard. Whereas I think
this semester I had seen most of the
had I not known what the next task
introductory content in my lectures
was, I would have found it easier to
so far about parametric design. I do
come up with ideas quickly.
agree with the group in saying that
None of my designs were cho-
computation and generative archi-
sen to be prototyped, but the one I
tecture can be beneficial and I liked
worked on was based on a design
doing activities relating to this.
which was drawn as a facade, not
The rule-set task was actual-
something that could be made out
ly hard. In the moment, I could not
of paper. In order to choose a de-
make myself think fast enough in
sign since we had limited time, we
terms of a rule set in order to de-
chose one that could be easily man-
sign a facade. I think this may be
ufactured to fit the brief (a hanging
because of the lack of constraints
paper facade). The only challenge
in the brief; the other times I did
then came from actually figuring
this task there was usually a cer-
out how to hang the design on the
tain thing I had to design. Design
wire frame. Eventually I bent the pa-
a facade was a general brief and
per to get it to stay, but I wonder if
I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make myself think fast
we could have come up with some-
enough to come up with ideas.
thing different if we could have test-
I also think since I knew we would eventually have to make the design out of paper, I limited my
ed and re-tested the design hanging mechanism.
Prototyping designs
Boot Tunnel Different functions for a gumboot
B ed .
Alar m Cloc k Pieces of paper were stuck to our backs
Shake Awake invention poster
4.3B AMENITY - FUNCTION Pictionary was hard. The words were
Looking back, I think this was be-
not nouns so they were so difficult
cause I looked at the boot as a piece
to draw. I had the word ‘function’
of plastic shaped in a certain way
which was a concept I could not
instead of a gumboot with a specific
think of a way to diagram. I tried
function. I might even try this is
splitting up the word and diagram-
Studio Air to generate ideas for
ming fun but even this was hard. I
my brief; draw different functions
eventually drew a child holding a
for a pavilion and see if I come up
balloon but this was obviously not
with interesting ideas.
something they could guess. No-
Finally, the third task was the
body guessed the word in any of
most fun. Asking questions about
the groups. (I have just googled an
objects was hard but once I started
image of function and all that came
focusing on what room of the house
up was f(x) = x+y. This would have
my object was in, I could guess it.
been a good way to convey the mes-
When designing a bed/alarm
sage I guess, but in the moment, it’s
clock invention, we used Hanna’s
hard to think under time pressure).
first idea as it was the craziest and
The next task was to design
designed a colourful and bold post-
a new function nine different times
er. Ours was the chosen design and
for a household object. I chose a
I think this is the case because we
gumboot. This was one of the easi-
used bold, black lines, a crazy idea,
est crazy nines I had ever done and
colours and a well-prepared speech
I still think I came up with some cra-
(informercial type speech).
zy things.
Blind Hand drawing
Hand drawing becomes a building from
4.3C POETRY - BLIND HAND (MY GROUP) The first task (drawing a hand
looked like a hand in the end.
blind) I think worked well, although
If we were to do this again, I
some people were looking at the
think it would be better to spend less
page. I think it was interesting to
time on drawing the hand. It would
see that the drawings were usual-
be better I think to have the par-
ly based on the outline of the hand,
ticipants draw multiple â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;scribbleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
rather than the details. Some includ-
ideas, based on different objects; a
ed nails and knuckles but the basic
hand, a foot, a pen, a trophy, and
outline was the constant through-
see what happened. This would give
out.
more variation and choice in the acMoving onto designing some-
tivity and make it more fun.
thing from this drawing, we aimed
In terms of using this task
to see crazy designs based on some-
for my own design studio, I think I
thing nobody had thought of. This
already do so. For our algorithmic
task was supposed to show that you
sketches, we are given definitions
could come up with ideas using ba-
that we have to change. I have no
sic forms and random scribbles, you
idea what the outcome is going to
didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to design from scratch.
be and no control over the form.
In the actual building de-
I think this form of designing is
signs, I could see a pattern emerg-
good for coming up with ideas,
ing. They were based on the shapes
but not good for the actually de-
in the hand, rather than the hand
veloping stage which I should en-
itself. No buildings designed really
ter soon.
Random story design becomes an invention
One person added Spongebob which changed the story completely
Strawberry object became a cake and the outline was used to create a building
4.3D POETRY - ONE-LINE-STORY (MY GROUP) I think this task looked more
Part two of the task was to
fun than the first, mostly because
see what kind of design partici-
of the speed at which it was hap-
pants could elicit from their ideas.
pening. It was really interesting to
This again had the same aim of the
see how the original shape/image
last task: to show participants that
changed after twelve people add-
random idea generation can spark
ed their own things. Some people
some interesting ideas and forms.
added small dots or lines and some
I would love to try this in
added objects (like Spongebob or a
my studio with a group of friends,
person) which changed the entire
perhaps each of us add one pa-
image and redirected all the addi-
rameter in a Grasshopper file and
tions after that.
we could see how the geometry
Ten seconds was a bit long
changes. I would find this diffi-
for this task I think so if I were to do
cult I think because I like to be in
it again, I would give five seconds
control when designing, leaving
per person or less. It would be inter-
the design up to others would be
esting to see what would have hap-
scary but could produce some in-
pened had we given the participant
teresting and unique results.
a brief to follow. Would the outcomes change so dramatically after being added to by so many people? Or would they be similar with the same brief driving them all?
ZA11 Pavilion, Dimitrie Stefanescu, Patrick Bedarf, Bogdan Hambasan, 2011 (http://www.archdaily.com/147948/za11-pavilion-dimitrie-stefanescu-patrick-bedarf-bogdan-hambasan)
4.4 REVERSE ENGINEERING For my studio task this
Had I done this task before
week, I had to reverse engineer a
the workshop this week, I would
biomimicry precedent, ZA11 pa-
have said this could be a good
vilion.
activity to run in class for anoth-
I actually found this a good
er method of generating ideas.
way to get ideas for my final de-
I would have had participants
sign, even though it is not some-
break down a certain precedent
thing we have explored in design
and see if they could use the
workshop. Having to break down
rules to make their own design.
the precedent into smaller parts
I guess this following precedent
and understand it in order to
rules was introduced in Digital
create it in grasshopper was in-
Design and Fabrication, but I
creasingly difficult, but it means
never really used it as a design
I now understand the parametric
ideation method, I just stuck
rule set of the design.
with the generating ideas meth-
I can now apply these rules
ods like using a version of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;crazy
to a design of my own, some-
ninesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. But this method has been
thing that fits the brief better
useful in this subject so I would
than what I could have designed
like to try it again sometime.
before.
I think it also appeals to my
This also has the added ad-
logical designer sense and would
vantage of being able to be man-
help make my designs more real-
ufactured.
istic than usual.
Reverse engineered ZA11 Pavilion
SUMMARY
I think the most difficult part of this week w
generating design ideas. I am used to teaching 2-7 yea
so it was hard to shift my thinking towards the older ag
I think the other groups were more organised tha
technology and amenity and we had poetry. We focused
be turned into design which I think is more of a creativ
left up to the group to see how they interpreted the tas
was designing activities for university students based on
ar olds how to dance or come up with movement ideas,
ge group.
an us, but I also think they needed to be since they had
d on the poetry of generating ideas, creating stories to
ve task which needed less planning and more had to be k.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY BE JUMPING OFF CLIFFS AND DEVELOPING OUR WINGS ON THE WAY DOWN ― KURT VONNEGUT GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS. AVERG AGE MINDS DISCUSS EVENTS. SMALL MINDS DISCUSS PEOPLE ― HENRY THOMAS BUCKLE. IMAGINATION IS EVERYTHING. IT IS THE PREVIEW OF LIFE’S COMING ATTRACTIONS ― ALBERT EINSTEIN AN IDEA THAT IS NOT DANGEROUS IS UNWORTHY OF BEING CALLED AN IDEA AT ALL ― OSCAR WILC DE LEARN THE RULES LIKE A PRO, SO YOU CAN BREAK THEM LIKE AN ARTIST