#integrativepractice

[vaanibct]

Integrative Practice - “Get a Book out, Will ya?”

IP02 Final Submission (02-10-17)

Over the course of almost 7 weeks, I have been reading, researching, and looking for connections / links between 5 Creative Areas of my choice, which include, Culture, Art, Language, Film and Yoga. At the beginning, I was quite excited about this assignment as it seemed interesting and quite simple, however, I soon realised the complexity of the criteria which helped me challenge myself to dig deeper and research about the connections that I wanted to create.

My finalised resources for this assignment include:

Geethanjali - Travel Saga. (2016, Mar 10). 25 Amazing Scientific Reasons Behind Indian Traditions & Culture - Hinduism Facts. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/c-M8l2bdG8g

Drake, J. (Mar 2015). Drawing Plays an Important Part in Children’s Emotional Roles. Retrieved from https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2015/drawing-plays-important-part-childrens-emotional-roles

Bonvillain, N. (2003). Language, culture, and communication: The meaning of messages. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.

Frost, R. (Mar 2016). What should be the point of film? Should it for entertainment or to send a message? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-should-be-the-point-of-film-Should-it-for-entertainment-or-to-send-a-message

Garde, R.K. (1975). Principles and Practice of Yoga Therapy. London, Britain: Wolfe Publishing Limited.

Reading these books, along with looking for information using other resources (such as YouTube videos, documentaries, E-Books, online articles etc.) I was very educated. However, when it was time to start integrating these sources, I was confused and asked advice from one of the Lecturers. They helped me realise the importance of having close and strong links (sub-connections), rather than having a weak individual relationship. After tackling this part of the assignment and gaining new and useful knowledge, I moved on to create the Literature Review. As the brief states, the “Literature Review can be in the form of written text, video or audio recording, poster and when questioning Laurent, he said that it can be in any form, but it’s main purpose it to successfully showcase the connections.

In terms of the Presentation, I finally decided on displaying a “mind-map” of my findings as, in my opinion, it was a creative, visually aesthetic and a tangible way of demonstrating the connections between the 5 disciplines. I reached this conclusion after testing other ideas and going through lots of iterations, as can be seen in my previous Blogs and Instagram pictures. However, I was particularly inspired by Natasha Jen’s talk where she said that “Creative thinkers need to surround themselves with evidence.” And I thought, what better way to show that than through images, drawings, sticky notes and string.

Overall, I am very happy with the final outcome because it clearly states the connections between my five areas, along with physically showcasing them through the use of joining pieces of strings. I made the “mind-map” in a way that it allowed the viewer to look closely and touch it in order to notice which board linked to which Creative Area. I had hidden the names of the disciplines under the related emoji, which added an element of mystery and surprise. However, hanging the cork boards was one of the most difficult tasks because it was quite hurtful to push the pins into the wall. But before than, I was finding it hard to decide where to present the Literature Review in the Studio room because most of the walls and surroundings were dirty and untidy. In the end, I placed the boards on a wall in the kitchen area, even though it was chipped and marked. I decided that this would add an aspect of creativity, because designers are mostly surrounded by mess, so the chipped / dirty wall could represent the fact that mind-maps and ideas are not particularly organised.

Before the end of the lesson, I asked for feedback from Laurent (which I will state in the following Blog post) however, he helped me realise that there are certain things that I could have improved, which related back to Time Management. So, next time, I would definitely work on using my time wisely and more purposefully. In terms of Presentation, I believe I could have organised and displayed my work in a better way - for example, I could have placed the boards together (touching each other) so it would signify the strong connection. I also could have added more pictures and words to each Creative Area, however, I didn’t have time and I had thought it would look too busy (which in a way, it should have looked like). Nevertheless, I will use this as a learning experience and Blog about my mistakes so that I can refer back to them and not repeat any silly errors in the future.

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[barksbct502]

Week 11

I was indisposed while this session was on, as I was busy doing work for my studio project, but I’ll give it my best shot despite there not being a class recording and not having groupmates.

I kept myself to the 25 minute time limit as best I could.

In 50-100 words write about your strategy - Why and how you are using which methods to address the ‘future university’ scenario: For my method, I used the Lotus Blossom Diagram, which I didn’t enjoy doing a whole lot last time but felt perfect for this. Its great for organizing, compartmentalizing, and visualizing a plan and building on established ideas. My strategy is to create an environment for students, by students. This is done through getting them involved in the design process by changing it based on their feedback, slowly iterating until the perfect balance that will make the most people happy is found. This includes location, layout, activities, appearance , and soundscape among many other factors. 

[barksbct502]

Week 10

This week we explored the concept of ‘Systems Thinking’ where each element in a system is affected by other elements either directly or through several degrees of separation.

How could you use systems thinking in your creative processes?: I could use it for seeing how one variable in a program could indirectly affect another for debugging, or for measuring how much supply is needed to meet demand. How could this method complement (or contrast) another method we have explored in CTEC500?: It reminds me a little bit of the Lotus Planner that was explored in week 6, and it could also be used in tandem with it to see how the changes would affect other changes, as well as their effectiveness at solving the issues they were put in place to rectify.

[barksbct502]

Week 9

I had to design and lo-fi prototype wallet for someone who only uses cards, and doesn’t carry coins or notes.  I came up with a taco-shell-like design, held together by two elastic straps that can expand/contract depending on how many cards are inside. I then had to ask someone else a few questions about the wallet. I chose my partner.

What Do You Like About It?:  “It’s low profile, and has a modern feel to it”, “It’s minimalist”, and “It’s not too limiting” What Would You Change?:  “Close off one end so it’s more like a L pocket shape, so there is less risk of cards dislodging” or “make the bottom of the taco shell all elastic for better and more uniform expansion” Any Questions?:  “What’s it made of?” “Leather and Elastic.” “Not very 2020 friendly, is it.” “Piss off.” “*laughs*” Any Ideas?: “RFID shielding would be nice”, “Add a metal belt/pocket clip”, and “Add a keyring/lanyard eyelet”

I then had to modify the wallet based on their feedback.

[barksbct502]

Week 7

Original Photo: Aluminum Can Cut In Half

Interpretation 1: Alien Prison/Observation Cell, Large Scale

Interpretation 2: Social Distancing Marker, Small Scale

Q: Consider how you use drawing as a research method in your own work and tell us about that - it could be quite unlike any of the ways we have talked about in this class - maybe you make diagrams or maps to explain your ideas. A: I like visualizing my thoughts in drawings/words in order to help me keep track of what I’m thinking about if it gets to complicated just to keep in my head. Sketching something out before committing to a design for something is also incredibly useful. 

Q: How might you use drawing in other ways in your work? A: It could also be used as a sort of stress relief for me if things get too difficult or complicated, so I can just doodle and wind down while thinking about what to do next.

[qrx9000bct]

University of the Future

The Poi Room

Our university of the future consists of an AI teaching experience designed so each student gets their own personal tutor at the push of a button.  Using human centred design we would conduct mini surveys to determine the best ways our students learn, that way we can tailor our AI tutors specifically to each students needs.  Cultural probes would be used to determine the best ways people interact with AI robots.  This would also act as a prototype to see if Ai robots can effectively interact with humans. 

 We would use curational walking to develop friendly-looking robots, walking through robot factories pin-pointing features that stand out to us in a user friendly way.  Benefits of having AI based one-on-one learning are:

 Each student can learn at their own pace.

 Sickness and viral diseases won’t spread as easily.

Faster and more efficient learning.

Teaching is fair and equal. Everyone gets the same amount of “teacher time.”

Can be done from the comfort of their own home if they choose to.

Powerpoint link: https://autuni-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/qrx9000_autuni_ac_nz/EX89qt3a7C1NsByAdZl7nhkB5vY1EhgioIwvbY639RIJ7Q?e=owNhQ3 

By Lachie, Xavier, and Krishant.

[qrx9000bct]

Loopy Diagrams

This week we were instructed to make a series of “transition diagrams” to show differences can occur by changing or adding things to the diagram.  

We started with a Foxes and Rabbits, and had to add a series of “changes” to cause a difference in the diagram, while also keeping a balance within each change.  My group started off with adding Grass, therefore the Grass would decrease from the Rabbits feeding on it, but would increase when the Rabbits got eaten from the Fox.  Next we added Hunters and Seasons, the Seasons would decrease the amount of Hunters hunting, as some parks only allow hunting in certain parts of the year, and the Hunters would decrease the number of Fox and Rabbits.  However, the Fox and Rabbits would increase when the Hunters decreased.

To view the full Rabbit and Fox diagram click here.

Secondly we had to prove how Damp housing can lead to Deprivation.  For this we branched off into sickness, rheumatic fever, leading to time off school, low income jobs, then low income families, and then deprivation.  The next step was to come up with a solution to this, we came up with an idea to launch a policy for a requirement for better building standards for state housing, including existing state houses, along with a higher standard for all new homes.  This would prevent the damp housing issue, eliminating all of the following symptoms to damp housing.    

To view the full Damp Housing Loopy diagram click here.

I enjoyed this exercise, I can picture myself using it to see what effect a design/idea could have in it’s chosen environment.  It can also be used as a brainstorming tool, to see who or what your idea could be used for, whether its people, transport, or communication etc.  

[qrx9000bct]

Human Centred Design

This week we were instructed to make a wallet after interviewing a partner. afterwards I tested my wallet on another friend, and she gave her feedback…

What did they like?

She liked the fingerprint security feature, as no-one can pick up your wallet and steal your cards.  She liked the gum compartment as she eats gum regularly.  And the simplicity of the design and how the cards pop out instead of having to reach for them.

What would they change?

She wasn’t a fan of the material, as it is supposed to be made from metal, she prefers the traditional materials e.g. Leather.  She would have liked it to be another colour other than silver, maybe have a range of colours such as red.  She likes to carry cash for emergencies, so she would like a pouch or sleeve to put notes and coins.

Any questions?

Would come in different colours?

How many cards can fit inside?

Do I need to charge it?  

Any ideas?

Battery… This got me thinking about solar power, as people leave wallets in the kitchen or on desks in the sun often.

I added a solar panel to the exterior of the wallet to charge it, along with patterns and replaced the gum pouch with a place to store cash.