Tom's Blog

Blog for DES301 and DES302

[eesmot]

DES302 - Weeks 9 & 10 - Thursday 10th October

For this final blog post I have been recommended to try a different reflective toolkit and have decided to use The four F’s of active reviewing. This late stage the semester is incredibly full on with lots of work and assignments happening concurrently, but hopefully this new model can aid me in making sense of the events and progress I’ve made in the past couple weeks.

Facts

This past couple weeks I began 3D modelling on Blender and completed my initial 3D model, I then became unhappy with the visual fidelity of that model. I reached this stage around halfway through Week 9. So I then changed my 3D model to a smaller scale. I completed this a couple of days before the due date for the poster hand in, I really disliked the final model though so I pulled an all nighter to completely change the model and I ended up very happy with my final creation. I also created a website to accompany my 3D model. It was unexpected that I changed my idea twice from my initial idea, but this has been a recurring theme throughout this year. It was definitely a memorable and stressful experience, but it made a valuable impact on my project. 3D modelling is also something I haven't done before. So doing that was a new challenge.

Fig 1. Three stages of my 3D model.

Note: Three images showcasing the original plan for the scale of my first model, my first attempt at a smaller model, and then my final model, pre fixing the normals and artefacting.

Feelings

Obviously I was stressed when I recognised that I wanted to change my model and idea again. But I also felt incredibly in control of the situation and my own model. Having that ability to chop and change when and where I want is incredibly relieving. After I knew I was changing my model I had to lock in and work incredibly hard and getting that all done for the poster hand in was a really relieving, fulfilling feeling. Knowing the work I have to do now for the rest of the semester is stressful but I think that the work I did this past couple weeks has been the most critical work I’ve done for this semester so far.

Findings

I think the central reason that I always want to change my idea is because of a failure in the early stages of the design process. I have discussed this in my report but essentially to ideating broadly enough and long enough meant that I moved forward through my chosen design process without actually settling on an idea that I was super comfortable with. So changing my idea is an almost inevitable outcome of that, so I am happy that I did it. Although it has been incredibly difficult, if I hadn’t done it I would’ve been betraying myself and damaging myself with an idea I was not confident in or happy with. So therefore not regrets from my decision making in these past few weeks, but instead, a lot of regrets from a lot earlier on in the semester. 

Future

The main takeaways from this process are salient. Firstly, I must make sure that I take full advantage of the time in the early part of the semester, trusting my chosen design process and making sure that I ideate far and wide in the early stages. Doing so will mean that I avoid this indecision and wasted time later on in the key stages of the semester. However, as design and general life is unpredictable I also need to be confident that when I make difficult decisions like this to change my idea that they are for the right reasons. I believe that doing so this time was worthwhile, so I should never be afraid to make those changes if necessary. 

[eesmot]

Des302 Blog - Week 7 & 8 - Sunday 22nd September

The last couple of weeks since returning since Mid-semester break have seen my capstone project undergo a great deal of change once again. This blog will cover those changes and my thoughts, feelings, and reflection on the events through the ol’ trustworthy, What? So What? Now what? reflective model. There is a lot to cover. 

What? 

I had changed my idea in Week 6 to the playground. So Week 7 on return from Mid Sem break saw me continue to flesh out that idea. I also toyed with doing my other big idea for a while but decided that the playground concept was stronger. I decided that Albert Park would be the setting for my concept, as it is one of Auckland’s central parks, steeped in history, but lacking a playground unlike most of Auckland’s other big parks. So I did research into Albert Park, learning about its diverse history. I wanted the cultural and environmental heritage of the space to be imbued into the final design of my playground.

Fig 1. Albert Park Research

Note: My Miro board with relevant research into the history of Albert Park.

Moving into Week 8 I had finalised this research and refreshed myself on 3d modelling as that is how I want to display my final product, so that took a day in doing a refresher course on Blender. I mapped out potential spots for the playground in Albert Park, basing the sizing off the square meterage of other prominent playgrounds in Auckland’s Parks. Following this I mapped out the sizes of typical playground elements, how many each playground had, and researched into visuals and other artful, climate based, modern playground. I also collated a range of inspirations I wanted to place into my playground. However, I then visited Albert Park scouting out the viability of the potential spaces I had marked and had the eureka moment that has prompted me to change my idea for a third and final time. I realised that Albert Park didn’t suit a playground but had perfect potential for a large-scale installation, that could change the perception of rain, bring communities together, and provide shelter for increasingly varied weather due to climate change. Following this I planned out what this would look like, how it would be inspired. Essentially, the idea is to build a massive tree in the centre of Albert Park. Replacing the British imported fountain. This tree would act as a shelter from the rain, altering the perceptions of weather that is going to be all the more common, and is often associated with negative feelings. This space can be a location for students and young people alike to socialise, study, and play. It is referential to the climate, the heritage of the space, and the environment. 

Fig 2. Mapping out playground sizes and inspiration.

Fig 3. Field research, zoning, and planning of new idea interior.

Fig 4. Inspiration, planning, and notation.

Notes: All from the Week 8 section of my Miro Board.

 So what?

The past two weeks have invited a lot more stress on me, but I also feel so much better about this idea. I finally feel like it is an idea that really excites me and gets me feeling the way I want to from design. Of course, there is a huge time crush now, but I was already behind with my previous idea, it is more of a sideways move than a backwards one, I don’t think I have really invited any more work on myself. I just have to 3D model and refine the concept now. I think what this has shown is how much physical field research gets my creative juices flowing. I was walking around Albert Park with my friend Zoann at the time, we were just bouncing ideas off each other when the new idea came to me. I think this is an aspect I have neglected this semester, whether it be due to attendance or lack of closeness to people in my cohort. Just talking about my work with people, particularly in the actual space it is planned for, is so beneficial and really helps me visualise and get excited about the ideas I am coming up with. Going forward I need to bring out this side so much more often, all my best inspiration and ideas this semester have come when I share and talk with other creatives. 

Now what?

In future I need to continue to pursue this peer/colleague engagement wherever I can, and preferably build up a rapport with these potential collaborators so that I best feel comfortable sharing and critiquing ideas that come up. Furthermore, I have continued to realise the value of field research and actually physically going and seeing things rather than just reading them or seeing them on Google or through Pinterest and other similar platforms. The value of seeing spaces and inspiration in person seems to be far more beneficial for me. 

[eesmot]

DES 302 Mid Semester Break - Monday 9th September

For this reflection on the Mid Semester break period I have decided to return to the What? So what? Now what? Reflective framework. A lot has changed with my capstone in these past three weeks.

What?

In Week 6 I decided to make the late decision to change my idea, so the break was all about speeding through a quick design process to advance this new idea to the level of fidelity it had to be at for this stage of the semester. That stage has definitely been reached, and I am happy with the progress made thus far. I was trying to get confident with an idea that I feel more confident in and better touches on the key points of the brief, and my new idea, a climate adaptive playground feels far closer to that than my previous efforts. It was definitely a valuable and positive experience. I received feedback from my peers on the idea and they agreed it was a better one than what I had been working with previously.

So what?

This experience has made me more confident for the remainder of the semester, it has highlighted that although I was in a bit of a creative rut I can make fast, positive decisions that I believe in. I based my decisions and actions on trusted sources learnt through all my design courses and the comments of my supervisors and peers. Although, even though I had a long time to do all of this work to catch up, I did the majority of it in a short span of time. This tells me that I work well in bursts, so when I get those bursts of energy I should utilise them and make the most of the period of productivity. I need to make sure in future I get to this phase a lot earlier in the design process. 

Now what?

It has finally reached the phase of my project where I get to start creating high quality prototypes and refining my idea. I think if I get stuck again I just have to keep reaching out for feedback and quality discussions which is definitely something I struggle with because of my personality and positionality. I recognise now however that that is something I need to overcome to achieve the best possible results. I think in order to ensure I continue to do this is to make the most of class time, continue to make sure that there is progress everyday and to seek out feedback and opinions wherever I can. 

[eesmot]

DES 302 Week 6 - Monday 19th August

For this reflection entry I have decided to try an alternate reflective model. I have chosen the Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle. This entry will cover the last couple weeks as I didn’t make an entry the week prior. The last couple weeks have been interesting and transformative for my capstone, in ways both positive and negative.

Description 

In the past week I have pivoted my idea from being football to a more historical, broader idea. I have been able to attend class a lot more thanks to doing slightly better with my anxiety, so talking to Xin helped me to contextualise my project and explore an idea that might not only be better suited to the stream, but to my own designerly strengths. I had made a lot of progress with my previous idea, so altering it at this half-way stage is dangerous, but I think that a lot of my work so far is transferable, My new idea is still in its early stages, but will use design to allow Aucklanders to imagine the future of their green spaces amidst climate change and its impact on the CBD. 

Figure 1. Miro Board Weeks 4 to 6

Note: Relevant sections of my Miro board to this reflection.

Feelings

Obviously making this decision invites a lot more stress. I was behind with my previous idea so changing again ostensibly makes it seem like it’ll be even more difficult. But I feel more confident after making the decision to change, with an idea I’m more inspired by. I think the work will become easier and the ideas will flow more naturally. I was unsure for a while as well whether to change, but I then decided to take a while to think about it, sleep on it, et cetera. This helped me make sure I was making the right decision, and it is a choice I feel confident about now looking back. 

Evaluation

I think what went well is definitely my discussion with Xin. For a variety of reasons I had missed a lot of class, most notably my previous presentation because of my anxiety. But having a proper chat with Xin made me feel a lot more confident having that support, particularly as I felt not so great after missing another presentation from this year. The not so great is still my general progress, it is still not good enough and I haven’t really addressed what I set out to change in my previous long form reflection. There is still a lot of room to improve and alter my process.

Analysis

I think things have gone well in regards to the idea for many of the reasons I have already mentioned. I used all of the support and resources available to me in the course that I hadn’t been using before. Making use of this support has allowed me to better visualise my project and the direction I want to take it. What hasn’t gone well is the aforementioned progress, and I think that is because I didn’t follow my own last step of my previous reflection. I didn’t carry out my action plan well enough. In the end, I don’t think it is the end of the world. I know the way my mind works. I know I give in to procrastination and delay too much, and that that is an aspect of my personality/mental health I should maybe get checked. However, I also know that I am a high achiever and more often than not create outcomes in both design and wider academic work that I am really pleased with. But I want that to be consistent and not just be the product of a last minute dash at the finish line. 

I decided to read through Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination which provided some valuable insight into procrastinatory thinking, something I have somehow never looked into despite being a habitual procrastinator for most of my academic life. It talks about how procrastination is often rooted in anxiety, it provides an inbuilt excuse for people who partake in it. Whether or not I fully believe this I am unsure, there are of course a myriad of complex mental health reasons one could lack the focus to work for a lengthy period of time. But it is still valuable to think about this aspect of my personality. There were also methods to dealing with procrastination that were of some substance. The article discussed time management techniques, and how some can actually increase stress. I always try to do the same sort of time management that often fails. The article also discusses creating productive motivation, motivation that will inspire me personally, not necessarily the typical reasons like grades and the like. 

Conclusion

I’ve learnt that I need to be confident in my decisions, and that they will usually bring about positive changes for my project. I’ve also learnt that my weaknesses shouldn't be completely debilitating failures and that there are methods and techniques to find success and have a positive experience with my project in spite of them. This is made evident by my brief investigation into Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination and the strategies that it proposed. 

Action plan

I think next time I would’ve started working with these resources far earlier, had a longer committed period to ideation and exploring concepts outside of my ideas in order to pick up more information that could inspire. I am going to work on overcoming procrastination methods, making more customised to-do lists. Luckily I have the mid-semester break coming up to plan and action these ideas. 

References:

The McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning. (n.d). Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination. https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/resources/resource-library/understanding-and-overcoming-procrastination

[eesmot]

DES 302 Week 4 - Monday 5th August

So start of Week 4, reflecting on Week 3. It was a more productive week than the previous two but one still marred by indecision and inactivity. I am developing an idea I am increasingly fond of but lack the time to create it because I take too long on the assignments. The assignments then require a lot of progress to be made in the project to achieve well. So I feel stuck in a loop of not making any real tangible advancements.

Alongside a lot of extra-curricular work and business it has resulted in another stressful, and progression wise, uneventful week.

Moving forward I think I need to really use my in class time better. I've realised I work best alone, in my zone with music. I struggle to work around others, at least in terms of when it comes to developing my idea. I like to be in my own space.

[eesmot]

DES 302 Week 3 - Monday 29th July

And just like that we are in Week 3 of Capstone! The first couple of weeks of semester have been slightly stop-start, marred by a frustratingly persistent illness and my absence from the entirety of Week 1. As a result of this, much of my work so far has simply been catching up on what I missed and focusing on recovering and resting so I’m at my best for the coming weeks. Luckily, a lot of the work so far has been refreshing myself on my Design Research Proposal, looking upon it in a new light and hoping to find new angles to explore my intended area of research. This is a requirement both for me and the course directives. In order to reflect on my progress and learning thus far I have decided to employ the reflective model of What? So what? Now what? 

What? 

A lot of the context of the semester so far has been mentioned in my little introductory section. I was absent, then sick, and the whole time trying to catch-up on what I had missed. Having caught up midway through Week 2 I found myself in a position I so often find myself in, stuck. Not necessarily for lack of inspiration but in the clichéd sense that often the hardest thing is to get started, or rather to know where to start. As a designer I know that I often have slow starts to projects and wanted that to change for this semester. So I set about laying out my Miro in a fashion best prepared for successful and efficient work. As someone who procrastinates a lot, having a strong structure around me is definitely necessary for a successful semester. Getting to grips with my design process, the Resilio Design Process, and laying it out as a timeline on my Miro definitely helped in getting started with the Initiate phase and beginning the real meaty section of my project. 

So what?

It was undeniably a difficult couple weeks. As a naturally anxious and easily stressed person getting back in a University mindset of deadlines and work is something I find particularly demanding. This stress was only amplified by the aforementioned illness and my return from a month long holiday. But I think I’ve navigated it relatively well. I think this provides valuable learning for me, not only showing I can navigate adversity but also how I can manage it. If I keep to a maintained schedule, deadines, and a clear structure then my inherent anxiety will have less of an impact and my stress levels will be minimised. I believe that keeping to my structure and timeline for the remainder of the semester will be key for not only the optimal outcome of my work but also my attitude. 

Now what?

So, in regards to my action plan moving forward I know that I need that to centre my process around two key principles: structure and progress. As I’ve mentioned, being a historically slow starter I know moving forward I just have to get going, looking for the perfect idea from the outset is a largely fruitless endeavour. Just following my design process and staying within my outlined structure will begin to provide value as the semester continues. If I get stuck again remembering these points will be the first port of call. Additionally, given I missed the first week and was only able to attend one day of class in the second I will be increasingly able to call on my sustainability stream community of practice. Working with others and calling on them for creative invigoration will be a real value to me that I missed out on in the project so far. Finally, alongside these points just getting into the routine, the swing of things will be key for my future progress.