Bowers, Alexandra

from F23_IARD 3805 | DESIGN V Workplace Design

SURVEY CONTENT ANALYSIS

Throughout my entire life, I have always been an independent person but am extremely adaptable to pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Even when in these uncomfortable situations, a quality I try to fulfill is being accountable because every person deserves someone in their life who they can trust. Selflessness can be a hard thing to do when I am having a difficult time, but I continue to be considerate and show respect to those around me. I strive to be expressive in the things I have a passion for in life, such as my design work, the way I communicate with my friends and family and always being positive. Because I continue to prove to myself that by showing acceptance to everyone and every good or bad situation, it has led me to also have calmness throughout my everyday life.

Do you have any plans after this semester?

After this semester, I am going home to California to spend a month with my family for the holidays! I am also going to update my portfolio and resume, and send my applications out before the new year.

What type of designer would you like to be?

I am aspiring to become a residential designer and also work on some commercial designs. To me, being a designer no matter what project I am working on, should fulfill the needs of my client and make them happy!

Can you tell me about any problems you ran into in the studio or outside?

During this studio, I think I only struggled with balancing my work load and really using my studio time to work on my project. I felt as if my section leader sometimes used up a lot of our studio time talking to us, which made me get less done during class.

What kind of place would you like to design next?

I would love to design a neighborhood of residential homes!

What do you think makes a good workplace?

Personally, I believe that a good workplace has the perfect balance of work and play/fun throughout its design. In today’s world, I think people want to go to work in a space that has comfortable seating variations, an open plan, a place that feels like you are working from home, high technology, and spaces that have a social aspect but also can be a flexible work space.

Can you tell me what evidence-based design means to you?

To me, evidence-based design means creating a space by using real life research and feedback from actual people who have been in a similar space before, to achieve the best outcome.

Compared to previous semesters, the semester may be challenging in many ways, but you may be able to see your accomplishments. Reviewing your accomplishments, what did you learn from this studio?

This studio has shown myself things that I never knew I could do as a student or accomplish as a human! I have learned that I can push myself to a certain point and give the extra effort I never have given before. This studio has also shown me that I have to be confident with my design, and be proud of my work at no matter what point I finish, because a design is never ending.

Would you like to share anything with future students of this studio?

Make sure you give yourself a good work/ life balance while doing this studio. Give yourself breaks and make time for your health and wellbeing throughout your semester. It is easy to get caught up working on your project all day everyday, so let yourself walk away at times and do something else! Also, be extremely confident in your design because you put a lot of work into it– own it!