REFLECTION
Upon completing this module I have identified 4 fundamental areas that I have developed in as a designer.
RESEARCH
The importance of research was highlighted to me in many ways throughout the term. Introducing different primary research methods within the briefs allowed me to explore new ways and techniques of acquiring knowledge and information as well as how to apply it.
In my undergraduate experience methods were chosen by the students which mostly involved interviews, surveys, etc. Having to try out different methods allowed me to understand how different the data you collect can be, just by changing it from a basic interview question to directed storytelling. Furthermore, through exploring topics that are so different and far from design, interfaces and wireframes made me realise how diverse this discipline is. You never know what knowledge you might need and constant learning is crucial.
"No input, no output"
- John Fass, all the time
PROTOTYPING
Prototyping was the crucial realisation of this term. Until week 3 of this module, I was sure that my mind was able to produce a good enough mental image of my ideas and concepts, without needing to test and prototype. However, this has changed drastically. Complex ideas can’t possibly be kept in your mind until the very end and work as smoothly in reality. Prototyping is not only crucial when sharing and presenting your ideas but is also crucial in order to progress and develop.
CONCEPTUAL THINKING
When at my interview I was asked about how I would design for ants, I felt so curious and happy in a way because that’s the experiences I want to be creating, rather than adding to the countless digital spaces already existing. However, designing the user experience of soil, skin and memory was challenging and sobering at the same time and has definitely broadened my vision and developed my creativity, visualisation and ability to think outside the box.
COMMUNICATION
Finally, communication was something that challenged me in a way. How do you do a presentation without using slides and any kind of technology? In my first week, we decided to give it a go and it definitely made me realise that it is possible and is actually something I want to start practising even more. I have come a long way in terms of presenting and communicating my ideas. Not being able to rely on visual aspects can definitely push communication skills further.
Furthermore, being able to work closely with a new set of people every 2 weeks was refreshing. All of us come from different academic and cultural backgrounds and we not only learnt how to communicate our ideas to the rest of the class, but how to communicate with each other.
