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The Design Process Workshop

Goldsmiths College, University of London, Department of Computing

November 21-25, 2005

Instructor: Karl Aspelund

Description

The objective of the workshop is to understand and explore the path a design takes on its journey from the world of imagination to the world of objects.

Through a series of talks, exercises, discussions and projects, participants explore the process of design, and how a designer navigates it, personally, artistically and professionally. Participants will begin their work at the point of initial inspiration, then identify their  project's constraints and needs, then conceptualize and explore solutions, before defining and ultimately presenting their designs for production.

With the focus on process, the emphasis is on fully developing the concepts and production details of the designs, rather than illustrating them. However, the structure and methods of presentation are also explored as an integral part of realizing designs. Participants will devise a thesis for their own design project to guide them through the process. Each participant will therefore create a presentable outline for a unique set of designs to which they have brought their own personal vision.

The workshop is structured along the lines of the book "The Design Process," by Karl Aspelund, to be published by Fairchild Publications (New York) early in 2006.

Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Click on the days at left for a detailed daily schedule.

Details of the schedule may change as I learn more about the participants from the on line survey, but times will remain the same.

16:15-17:30 9:00-16:00 9:00 -15:00 9:00 -15:00 9:00-13:00
         
Monday 21/11 16:15 - 17:30    

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16:15 - 17:30

Introduction Overview of workshop's methodology and structure. Introduction to the design process.    
Tuesday 22/11 9:00 - 16:00    

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9:00 - 10:00

Stage 1

Inspiration

Workshop

Methods of inspiration explored and discussed. Exercises aim to uncover and define individual sources of inspiration.    
10:00 - 10:15

Break

     

10:15 - 11:45

Design: The sum of all constraints.

Talk & Discussion

On the importance of defining and observing  the constraints involved in a design project, including issues relating to sustainability. Introduction to the design thesis    
11:45 - 12:45

Break

     

12:45 - 14:15

Stage 2

 Identification

Workshop

Ideas for designs outlined and examined with a view to the constraints of individual projects. Participants create a full design thesis.    
14:15 - 14:30

Break

     

14:30 - 16:00

Stage 3

 Conceptualization

Workshop

Concepts explored through brainstorming, concept maps, quick sketching, and discussion. Brainstorming session produces thumbnail sketches, rough visualizations. Concepts are then briefly presented. Assignment (if needed):  Sketches and project outlines  
Wednesday 23/11 9:00 - 15:00    

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9:00 - 10:45

Design's hierarchy of needs

Talk & discussion

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs interpreted toward the fulfillment of a design thesis.

Nielsen's 10 interface usability heuristics examined and interpreted toward a more general context.

The concepts are then evaluated within these frameworks, and a plan for heuristic evaluation outlined.

   
10:45 - 11:00

Break

     

11:00 - 12:30

Stage 4

Exploration

Workshop

SCAMPER-method introduced. The ideas are explored, tested, and held up to scrutiny, continuing the previous session's critique. Heuristic evaluation applied to designs.    
12:30 - 13:30

Break

     

13:30 - 15:00

Stage 5

 Definition

Workshop

Questions of detailing and modeling examined. Specification and sourcing outlined for individual projects. Functionality of designs examined. Assignments (if needed): Detailed sketches. Spec sheets and designer's notes  
Thursday 24/11 9:00 - 15:00    

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9:00 - 10:15

 Presentations: An actor prepares.

Talk & Discussion

A design presentation is a performance. The preparation for presentation is viewed from the standpoint of an actor preparing for the stage. Exercises focus on scripting the presentations by discovering the key points of each project, and creating its narrative. Sketches, diagrams, and samples created as necessary.    
10:15 - 10:30

Break

     

10:30 - 12:00

Stage 6

 Communication

Workshop

Issues of communication examined. Final definitions created. Diagrams and construction elements outlined as needed.  Presentation styles and structures explored and developed for the project.    
12:00 - 13:00

Break

     

13:00 - 15:00

Stage 7

Production

Workshop

Designs examined with view to creation of prototypes. Information added and clarified as needed. Exercises submit designs for review by "production team." Preparation for presentations. Assignments (if needed): Prepare for presentation.  
Friday 25/11 9:00 - 13:00    

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9:00 - 9:15

Presentation setup Participants assemble, install and otherwise prepare their presentations. Participants randomly assigned to Group 1 or Group 2.

Organization will be further determined by the number of participants.

   

9:15 - 10:15

Presentations I Group 1 presents to Group 2 for peer review.  
10:15 - 10:25

Break

     

10:25 - 11:35

Presentations II Group 2 presents to Group 1 for peer review.    
11:35 - 12:00

Break

     

12:00 - 13:00

 Conclusion

Critique, discussion

Review results examined, projects critiqued and discussed.

Wrap up of process and workshop.

   
       

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last update: Friday November 18, 2005 01:49 PM