Professional Identity

Attitude

• Teamwork is going to be a big part of this semester yet again. Focusing on strengths of team members and what drives them is going to be a big part yet again. For myself, I also need to find this drive in the next project, something that keeps me passionate and going even if times get rough.
• How do you deal with failure? What if goals don't get fulfilled and you need to take a backseat? The work of a designer is quite dynamic, and plans can always be subject to change. Even if the perfectly thought out plan doesn't get realized I need to lean how to accept it and continue moving forward with full motivation.

Skills

• I want to improve my 3d modelling skills and start using my 3D-printer to create physical models/prototypes using PLA or PETG, easy to print plastics.
• Learn how to apply photography in a different context other than purely artistic.
• Become better at writing down thoughts in a descriptive manner and be able to constructively reflect on them. I want to find a set of documenting methods that work best for me.

Knowledge

This semester is mostly focused on the development of 3 key Expertise Areas: TR, MDC, and CA. I wish to gain more knowledge and practice on how to integrate electronics and code in physical projects, and be able to use sensors and actuators in ways that deviate from the beaten path. Understanding how to design around physical constraints to make designs light an stiff will also be a core piece of knowledge to take with me to make viable and structurally sound designs. I also want to experiment with different design processes. Basing my entire education on the Double Diamond or the RTDP seems quite shallow, and I wish to learn about more different processes.

Vision

Direction

I am recently getting very inspired by open-source, highly DIY and self made things. This could be incorporated into my vision more. What are healthy design practices? How to best design for sustainability? From the squad spaces, the material aesthetics lab and the wearable senses lab seem very interesting.

Inspiration

• The Childhood Lie That Stifled Your Creativity
• Matthias Nott's website
• Mauriello's video on RtR
• Your Space Reflects Who You Are
• Why I Love Design for 3D-Printing

Goals

Reference SMART goals!

Semester goals

G1: Exploring Media I

I want to use the following semester to explore what kind of media and tools can be used in the design process. Whether this be documenting or presenting work, physical or digital.

• Explore the nuances between working in a design workbook and making a digital design portfolio. Which one do I prefer to work in and why?

G2: Applying Media I

I want to use CBL project 2 in this semester to apply media that I am already comfortable using into the design process and presentation.

• Use personal camera to purposefully make high quality and edited photos to put into the design workbook for CBL-2.
• Use sketching skills and 2D digital art skills in CBL-2 to make presentable sketches and designs that fit with the same aesthetic and contribute to the presentation of the project in the design workbook and demo-days.
• Use Blender to model at least one part for the CBL-2 project.

G3: Exploring & analyzing processes

During this semester I want to explore different takes on the design process to get a better understanding of which one I like working in the most.

• Explore how to work in a material driven design method (MDD) in CBL-2 and see what potential it has for year two in terms of preparation for squad spaces, particularly in orientation to Material Aesthetics and Wearable Senses.
• Document how CBL-2 differs from CBL-1 in terms of design process and what process I prefer working in and what fits most to my own vision.

G4: Exploring notetaking & reflection techniques

In the last semester I realized how important it is to have an effective way to write and reflect. Thus I want to explore different media and methods for compiling my thoughts and knowledge to find a best set for myself.

• Use Cornell notetaking during the lectures.
• Try out Obsidian Canvas to note down diagrams and see if it is a viable method to document.
• Try ExcaliDraw to draw within Obsidian instead of just writing, see if that works for notetaking or if writing is still better.
• Use voice memos to record ideas and see if it is more helpful than just having to remember them and write them down after the fact.

Long-Term ambitions

In the long term I wish to find a way where I can comfortably record and write down my ideas without having my head overflow with information. This requires me to first explore and then refine my reflective techniques. I furthermore also want to explore what squad space I want to work in, I noticed I prefer something that works with physical materials in an explorative way. I want to master my photography and sketching skills and document them in the best possible way to have a good portfolio that I am proud of. Something that also came to mind was making a physical photography album/book or a sketchbook compilation to show off my work in a physical way. Perhaps I should explore printing media for this first? So many ideas...