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Monday night was the presentation of initial group concepts and the culmination of a frenetic first week.
All four groups did a good job of communicating their ideas, their progress, and their unresolved questions. The group as whole also did a great job jumping in and giving meaningful feedback to each other about questions and opportunities.
But there is not time to rest. This second week will be a sprint to the finish to get a single concept refined.
Here are some overall thoughts to help focus the refinement phase:
WORD OF THE DAY
Distill: def – extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of.
THE IDEA – DON’T FORGET THE RESEARCH
Go back to the research framework established last week – use it as an organizing tool for your thoughts and reactions. The presentations last night forced all of the groups to synthesize their ideas – and in most cases realize that their ideas aren’t quite there yet. There were a lot of good comments and suggestions offered, more than enough material to launch the final concept phase. Now is the time to rigorously evaluate the questions, comments, opportunities and ideas that were stirred up at the presentation. Remember, the goal is to come up with a single CLEAR IDEA.
PROCESS IS IMPORTANT
This studio is as much about how you work as it is what you produce. Now that all of the groups are moving into the refinement phase it is critical to start adding detailed thoughts and ideas about the sensory aspects of the final solution. Everyone talked about interaction in general, but not many people talked about the experience… how would a seat feel? What is the impact of shade/light? How does material selection impact how long someone stays engaged (how long would you sit on a steel plate bench versus a cushion-backed seat)? How do sound and smell factor in?
HAVE FUN
This a unique opportunity to work with students you wouldn’t normally get a chance to collaborate with… make the most of it.
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KEM STUDIO-VIRGINIA TECH: INTEGRATED DESIGN STUDIO 