Dear Design
Role
Design Researcher
Tools
Procreate
Date
Jan 2020 - June 2020
Introduction
Working with Professor Cindy Atman, I was able explored methods and structures of everyday design through the Dear Design directed research group at the University of Washington. I documented biweekly qualitative data collection through executing and observing design activities, then creating abstract representations of design process to further synthesizing across varying perspectives with my peers.
what did I do?
During these six months of research, I was able to study research results from the design research community about effective practices of expert designers that I could potentially incorporate into my personal design methodologies. I was able to learn about various sets of design research findings through the concept of design awareness. Through the doing, documenting, representing, and reflecting on everyday design activities, I have come up with the definition of design awareness as:
Design awareness is understanding where you are in your design
process and reflecting on how each action contributes to the journey
and final product. This awareness will allow you to understand which phase of the process will be most useful to you at this time, and how
to plan which phases you need to enter later. Essentially, design awareness is being mindful about how to move through the process.
As I took part in this research group, I captured my own everyday design processes (things that ranged from bike build projects to laser cutting acrylic). I typically applied an abstract and minimal art style to my representations, along with high-level descriptions about the design process. Synthesizing across the varying representations in group discussions, I was able to work with other students to listen and learn about their personal experiences with design, which I found extremely rewarding.
Below are a few of my postcards, check back for more content as I digitize them on Procreate!
Reflection
It was extremely rewarding to take a step back and think about design abstractly in order to bring more clarity to my personal design process and values.
A huge shoutout to Cindy Atman, the most influential and empathetic professor who has made an impact on me as a designer and researcher. Thank you for believing in me.