A Conversation with Davis Guggenheim from TakePart on Vimeo.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Design Thinkers Personality Profile
Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need weird shoes or a black turtleneck to be a design thinker. Nor are design thinkers necessarily created only by design schools, even though most professionals have had some kind of design training. My experience is that many people outside professional design have a natural aptitude for design thinking, which the right development and experiences can unlock.
Here, as a starting point,are some of the characteristics to look for in design thinkers:
Empathy.
They can imagine the world from multiple perspectives—those of colleagues, clients, end users, and customers (current and prospective). By taking a “people first” approach, design thinkers can imagine solutions that are inherently desirable and meet explicit or latent needs. Great design thinkers observe the world in minute detail. They notice things that others do not and use their insights to inspire innovation.
Integrative thinking.
They not only rely on analytical processes (those that produce either/ or choices) but also exhibit the ability to see all of the salient—and sometimes contradictory— aspects of a confounding problem and create novel solutions that go beyond and dramatically improve on existing alternatives. (See Roger Martin’s The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking.)
Optimism.
They assume that no matter how challenging the constraints of a given problem, at least one potential solution is better than the existing alternatives.
Experimentalism.
Significant innovations don’t come from incremental tweaks. Design thinkers pose questions and explore constraints in creative ways that proceed in entirely new directions.
Collaboration.
The increasing complexity of products, services, and experiences has replaced the myth of the lone creative genius with the reality of the enthusiastic interdisciplinary collaborator. The best design thinkers don’t simply work alongside other disciplines; many of them have significant experience in more than one. At IDEO we employ people who are engineers and marketers, anthropologists and industrial designers, architects and psychologists.
–– excerpt from Harvard Business Review, Design Thinking, Tim Brown
Here, as a starting point,are some of the characteristics to look for in design thinkers:
Empathy.
They can imagine the world from multiple perspectives—those of colleagues, clients, end users, and customers (current and prospective). By taking a “people first” approach, design thinkers can imagine solutions that are inherently desirable and meet explicit or latent needs. Great design thinkers observe the world in minute detail. They notice things that others do not and use their insights to inspire innovation.
Integrative thinking.
They not only rely on analytical processes (those that produce either/ or choices) but also exhibit the ability to see all of the salient—and sometimes contradictory— aspects of a confounding problem and create novel solutions that go beyond and dramatically improve on existing alternatives. (See Roger Martin’s The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking.)
Optimism.
They assume that no matter how challenging the constraints of a given problem, at least one potential solution is better than the existing alternatives.
Experimentalism.
Significant innovations don’t come from incremental tweaks. Design thinkers pose questions and explore constraints in creative ways that proceed in entirely new directions.
Collaboration.
The increasing complexity of products, services, and experiences has replaced the myth of the lone creative genius with the reality of the enthusiastic interdisciplinary collaborator. The best design thinkers don’t simply work alongside other disciplines; many of them have significant experience in more than one. At IDEO we employ people who are engineers and marketers, anthropologists and industrial designers, architects and psychologists.
–– excerpt from Harvard Business Review, Design Thinking, Tim Brown
Thursday
If you have illustrator on your laptop bring your computers to class on Tuesday and Thursday. Also thinking a head...
start collecting different types of paper including a newpaper, newsprint, canson, fabric, sandpaper, tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towel, wood, ect - you get it anything you can draw on besides the white paper we have been using. Have a stack of stuff.
start thinking about the function of your object and bring materials that you would need to represent the function of your object. think about it, all the things your object could do, not just what it does.
always bring your object and traditional drawing tools, non traditional, ink, paint, stamp pad...
start collecting different types of paper including a newpaper, newsprint, canson, fabric, sandpaper, tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towel, wood, ect - you get it anything you can draw on besides the white paper we have been using. Have a stack of stuff.
start thinking about the function of your object and bring materials that you would need to represent the function of your object. think about it, all the things your object could do, not just what it does.
always bring your object and traditional drawing tools, non traditional, ink, paint, stamp pad...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Illustrator CS5 Essential Training>5. Drawing and Editing Paths>Smoothing and erasing paths
Illustrator CS5 Essential Training>5. Drawing and Editing Paths>Drawing straight paths with the Pen tool
Illustrator CS5 Essential Training>5. Drawing and Editing Paths>Drawing straight paths with the Pen tool
Illustrator CS5 Essential Training>5. Drawing and Editing Paths>Drawing straight paths with the Pen tool
Illustrator CS5 Essential Training>5. Drawing and Editing Paths>Drawing straight paths with the Pen tool
Understanding anchor points
Illustrator CS5 Essential Training | by Mordy Golding
View this entire Illustrator course and more in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Logo Rama
not really related to what we are doing but fun...
This is a short film that was directed by the French animation collective H5, François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy + Ludovic Houplain. It was presented at the Cannes Film Festival 2009. It opened the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and won a 2010 academy award under the category of animated short.
Logorama from Marc Altshuler - Human Music on Vimeo.
This is a short film that was directed by the French animation collective H5, François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy + Ludovic Houplain. It was presented at the Cannes Film Festival 2009. It opened the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and won a 2010 academy award under the category of animated short.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Work as a team and embrace the "crazy"
1) Which Object?
In class break into groups (3-4 per group). Each member should present their $5 or less product. Why did you choose it? Present your sketches and what you learned from your interviews. Each member of the group should write down what they think of each of the items, what is good about it? bad? what are some initial ideas on how to make it better?
As a group decide/vote on 1 of the $5 or less objects to redesign. AS A GROUP you will be redesigning this object.
Capture make sure you "capture" the ideas from the group. The easiest way would be to photograph your wall of ideas. One member of the group needs to be responsible for capturing the thought process of the group, post the images to their blog and get the images to the group for the process book(s).
At all times follow the IDEO "rules"
-- think of your product in terms of verbs rather than nouns.
-- concentrate on one conversation at a time
-- stay focused
-- encourage wild ideas
-- go for quantity (no editing)
-- be visual (visual words or sketch)
-- defer judgment (no stopping to say that isn't going to work, isn't a good idea...)
-- build on the ideas of others
2) Pros/Cons of your object
As a group create a list of pros and cons about the object. What did people say about the object in the interviews?
3) Mind Map/Concept/Map
Starting with your matrix analysis but not limiting it to, place picture/image/symbol of your object in the middle of the wall. As a group make a word list, mind map, concept map (use paper, sticky notes). Then start adding notes, sketches, notations. Take a photo(s). *post all photos to your blog and share with your group for process books)
Encourage wild ideas, you have to have wild ideas to build upon, to get to some better ideas, if you stay with in "sane" ideas you will never have point to build upon.
So think way out there, build upon other people's ideas (while staying on track), no constraints, none, nothing. On the fringes is where you will find something exciting and new. Sketch it, write it, use sticky notes, symbols, notations.
Now start organizing the wall, make categories/group like ideas together. Identify which ideas are "good". Take a photo(s).
Then start again building out those ideas. No constraints, none, nothing. On the fringes is where you will find something exciting and new. Sketch it, write it, use sticky notes, symbols, notations.
Step back from your wall and see what you have. Take a photo(s).
Which idea is the best one? Build a prototype as a group. You may have to build it more than once to make it as good as it needs to be. (Take a photo(s) of your final prototype)
Why is it better? How is it better? What need is it full filling? How is it "more" than what it was before? Has the audience changed for the object? (post on your blog and include in your process book)
4) Matrix Analysis
As a group create a Matrix Analysis about the decided object. Large sheet of paper, work as a group, stickies, words, sketches. As a group select one entry from each column. Randomly or by selecting interesting combinations. You can do this as many times as you want. Evaluate ideas/rank ideas. Take a photo(s). *post all photos to your blog and share with your group for process books. Handout online.
*post your images and thought along the way on your blog.
In class break into groups (3-4 per group). Each member should present their $5 or less product. Why did you choose it? Present your sketches and what you learned from your interviews. Each member of the group should write down what they think of each of the items, what is good about it? bad? what are some initial ideas on how to make it better?
As a group decide/vote on 1 of the $5 or less objects to redesign. AS A GROUP you will be redesigning this object.
Capture make sure you "capture" the ideas from the group. The easiest way would be to photograph your wall of ideas. One member of the group needs to be responsible for capturing the thought process of the group, post the images to their blog and get the images to the group for the process book(s).
At all times follow the IDEO "rules"
-- think of your product in terms of verbs rather than nouns.
-- concentrate on one conversation at a time
-- stay focused
-- encourage wild ideas
-- go for quantity (no editing)
-- be visual (visual words or sketch)
-- defer judgment (no stopping to say that isn't going to work, isn't a good idea...)
-- build on the ideas of others
2) Pros/Cons of your object
As a group create a list of pros and cons about the object. What did people say about the object in the interviews?
3) Mind Map/Concept/Map
Starting with your matrix analysis but not limiting it to, place picture/image/symbol of your object in the middle of the wall. As a group make a word list, mind map, concept map (use paper, sticky notes). Then start adding notes, sketches, notations. Take a photo(s). *post all photos to your blog and share with your group for process books)
Encourage wild ideas, you have to have wild ideas to build upon, to get to some better ideas, if you stay with in "sane" ideas you will never have point to build upon.
So think way out there, build upon other people's ideas (while staying on track), no constraints, none, nothing. On the fringes is where you will find something exciting and new. Sketch it, write it, use sticky notes, symbols, notations.
Now start organizing the wall, make categories/group like ideas together. Identify which ideas are "good". Take a photo(s).
Then start again building out those ideas. No constraints, none, nothing. On the fringes is where you will find something exciting and new. Sketch it, write it, use sticky notes, symbols, notations.
Step back from your wall and see what you have. Take a photo(s).
Which idea is the best one? Build a prototype as a group. You may have to build it more than once to make it as good as it needs to be. (Take a photo(s) of your final prototype)
Why is it better? How is it better? What need is it full filling? How is it "more" than what it was before? Has the audience changed for the object? (post on your blog and include in your process book)
4) Matrix Analysis
As a group create a Matrix Analysis about the decided object. Large sheet of paper, work as a group, stickies, words, sketches. As a group select one entry from each column. Randomly or by selecting interesting combinations. You can do this as many times as you want. Evaluate ideas/rank ideas. Take a photo(s). *post all photos to your blog and share with your group for process books. Handout online.
*post your images and thought along the way on your blog.
HOMEWORK
Blog: post images of your inclass work session and reflection so far... Reflect: what part of today's activities was the most helpful to you individually, and what was most helpful for the group.
Blog: post images of your inclass work session and reflection so far... Reflect: what part of today's activities was the most helpful to you individually, and what was most helpful for the group.
Sketch as a group generate at least 20-50 sketches of ideas on how to make your object better.
Concept Map: using "mind meister online tool. Share with group. (begin this and work on in next class)
Gather materials for construction of your prototype: cardboard, paper, scrap materials, adhesive. This is a rough prototype; you should not purchase ready-made materials for its construction.
Concept Map: using "mind meister online tool. Share with group. (begin this and work on in next class)
Gather materials for construction of your prototype: cardboard, paper, scrap materials, adhesive. This is a rough prototype; you should not purchase ready-made materials for its construction.
Bring materials for sketching and prototype construction to class. (paper, cardboard, duct tape, wire, fabric, hot glue gun... as a group come up with materials you could POSSIBLY use and divide up list).
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Source 4 Style
For ID and Interiors this will be a great site. It is in BETA and you have to request and invite, so DO.
The other tool, Source4Style , is one aimed specifically towards fashion and interior designers, and independent designers in particular. This business-to-business interface lets designers source sustainable fabrics through aggregating and displaying information such as hi-resolution photos, fabric structure, fiber content, dyes and finishes, technical specifications, production location, production minimums, lead-time required, pricing, swatch requesting and manufacturers’ contact information.
The other tool, Source4Style , is one aimed specifically towards fashion and interior designers, and independent designers in particular. This business-to-business interface lets designers source sustainable fabrics through aggregating and displaying information such as hi-resolution photos, fabric structure, fiber content, dyes and finishes, technical specifications, production location, production minimums, lead-time required, pricing, swatch requesting and manufacturers’ contact information.
IDEO questions
Watch the video and answer these questions on your blog. (if I don't have your blog address you will not get credit -- so email me your blog address)
Where is IDEO?
Who is the founder?
Who is on the team, what are the roles?
What is the deep dive process?
What are the rules (montra) written on the walls around?
What is the motto?
How can this process work in your major? (it can work in every major).
Where is IDEO?
Who is the founder?
Who is on the team, what are the roles?
What is the deep dive process?
What are the rules (montra) written on the walls around?
What is the motto?
How can this process work in your major? (it can work in every major).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)