17-03-21
BLOG 1 - THE EVOLUTION OF CLASSROOM DESIGN

‍Let us visualise the standard classroom design: desks placed in an orderly grid, the room a monochrome palette with blackboards and hard wooden chairs, a feeling of “stuffiness” in the summer. As you may know, this is quite an unappealing space which results in a negative association to the classroom. So, how was this type of classroom supposed to encourage positive attitudes and efficient learning? Modern classroom design is revolutionising the learning experience, and considers influences of external stimuli on students, and students’ emotional connection to the space. Through my research, I have concluded four main elements (design iterations) of the modern classroom which help optimise learning efficiency; comfort, flexibility and light and technology integration.
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One important classroom design iteration is the creation of ‘homely’ and ergonomic spaces. Like workplaces, school environments should be designed around the comfort of students and teachers [4] This involves altering details of the space with awareness of the students’ senses, such as: regulating the air quality, temperature and light by incorporating more windows, air conditioning and appropriate lighting - creating a fresh environment [1]. As well as using more comfortable furniture (body-conforming chairs), since discomfort can be a distraction that pulls students’ focus away from learning. Creating a comfortable environment for students helps increase their learning efficiency [2].
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Flexibility is also a value of modern classroom design, changing the format of classrooms being static, and challenges Student-Teacher roles. New classrooms spaces are student-oriented - revolving around their ideas and learning needs [3]. Some iterations include: The use of break out rooms, as well as the design of new, movable classroom furniture (wheeled whiteboards, storage cabinets, couches and group tables in a variety of shapes). These allow versatile transformations of the classroom space, and accommodate different scenarios such as independent and collaborative work [4]. These features create an encouraging learning environment and allow students to learn in a variety of ways, and the development of social skills, creativity and adaptability.
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Lighting plays an important factor in the classroom. Natural light is ideal for classrooms - It is very common for modern classrooms and workplaces to be very open and use lots of natural light [1]. Natural lighting, as well as soft, muted colours, help create a calm atmosphere, enhancing students’ concentration [5]. Natural light has shown to have significant impacts on test results, attendance and health [4]. The lighting should also be adjustable, for group discussion, presentation, and video recordings [6].

Integration of Technology: Allowing BYOD devices and classroom shared devices (iPads, Laptops), help students develop skills of independent thinking: Generating, researching, and displaying their own information. From my personal experience in primary and intermediate, the use of devices made learning very exciting and allowed us to explore beyond the provided learning materials.
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That said, how should the 21st-century classroom be designed? It should focus on students' needs for learning and growth: Comfortable, with clean, open spaces. Flexible, with mobile furniture for students to design their own workspace and group arrangements. Natural and adjustable lighting. Integration of Technology, - BYOD devices, and smart boards for easy exchange of information. [7] In the future, classrooms will likely continue to become more flexible and adapt to technological change, and may integrate features such as therapeutic isolation spaces and high-tech devices as interactive teaching walls [8]

30-03-21
A PRACTIONER I ADMIRE
MASTER OF PAPER GOURD CRAFT - LI HONGBO

‍Li Hongbo’s work is an exploration of the possibilities of paper, where he creates unique sculptures. As Li describes, “At first, you don’t think it can move, but open it or provoke it, you discover a change, This transformation might have a greater impact. The sculptures can stretch, spread, twist and bend, contract, anything”. [1] When I first saw his work, I was truly fascinated, especially with the greek busts - when opened, the facial details seemed to melt apart and then expand like an alien substance.
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EXAMPLES OF HIS WORK‍

8-04-21
BLOG 4- THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTOTYPING

Prototyping is an intrinsic part of  Design, and is used to test our ideas and concepts - quickly, easily and at a low cost. They serve purposes in Refinement, Communication, Exploration and Active learning. [1], and will help our product develop its best potential, as designing is ultimately about problem-solving [2]  
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One important thing to remember is that the design thinking process is not linear - and rather is rather reactive and iterative. Prototyping is most effective when intertwined throughout several stages of our design process and comes in many forms - wireframes, paper sketches, or even a role play, to visualise/experience our design. It is an important communication tool, as it helps us get real-time feedback with our collaborators, and gain a mutual understanding on the desired vision.
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The function of the prototype warps throughout the stages of product development. Low fidelity prototypes can be used to give our ideas a tangible presence to quickly test an idea or communicate with your team or stakeholders. [2] For example, the first prototype for the Apple watch was an iPhone with a velcro strap attached to it, allowing Apple to quickly test the functionality and features [3]. The flexibility of low fidelity prototypes allows us to test, learn and explore multiple ideas. Medium fidelity prototypes test the functionality during product development. We can use prototypes to test specific components, as well as uncover potential issues with our design early on. This decreases the risk of problems further into production. Ultimately, multiple iterations should be done before moving up the hierarchy for prototypes, where costs increase [4]. Higher fidelity prototypes incorporate characteristics of visual design, content and interactivity, and give us a feel for the real experience. These products can generate more meaningful and accurate feedback about the product. [5] The prototyping process is an iterative cycle of building, reviewing and refining, and brings an open-minded approach to help continuously improve our designs. At the end of the day, good prototyping is about iterating and trying new designs with little effort and investment. This reduces the wastage of time, money and resources from executing ideas or potential failure [6].
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I have realised that in my previous submissions, I could have utilised prototyping much more effectively if I had intertwined more prototyping throughout my whole design process, (rather than just for exploration). For example, during refinement, I could have tested several versions of my idea (to improve the final functionality or visual details) rather than going straight to executing my chosen idea.

8-04-21
MY FUTURE AS A DESIGNER
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Where would I want to be in 10 years as a designer?
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Since starting this course, I have realised that the world of design has many more dimensions than just a 2D poster or a 3D product - design can be weaved into everything that surrounds us, and it could take me on an unexpected path. In the future, I want to expand my horizon in design, and aim for a large design studio or web company overseas. I am interested in UX design - creating impactful and meaningful experiences for users. I would also like to explore AR/VR technology, as I am intrigued by the idea of creating an immersive sensory environment - there is a universe of possibilities here. I would like to problem-solve for a variety of situations and be confident in creating great outcomes. In my future projects, I wish to work collaboratively with other designers and help improve the city/community - its efficiency and sustainability. 10 assumptions about my future career:
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My future vision, brainstorm:
1 . Living with an efficient work lifestyle
2. Being advanced in my design career
3. Designing improvements for larger systemic issues
4. Being able to communicate effectively with my clients and collaborators
5. Mastering a design skill
6. Exploring and discovering different types of media and interests
7. Travelling the world to work on different projects
8. Having a portfolio I am proud of
9. Utilising the newest technologies available
10. Working in UX for a large tech/social networking company

Living with an efficient work lifestyle
As a designer, having a good routine an give harmony to life- in my work, my social life, and my health, and reducing stress. To prototype this, I can ‘design’ a routine for the next semester - with the optimal amount of hours for each component (study, socialising, sleep, breaks, exercise) for the day/week. I can research through asking for advice (older uni students, my sister), and via the Internet, on a variety of questions; best length for study sessions, implementing mindfulness meditation. As well as asking myself questions- e.g do I work best in the day or at night?. To optimise my design work efficiency, I can learn from other designers’ routines. Such as ready mag  - 5 designers’ work habits, [1] where each designer (from a different background). provides their routine, and describes how they stay focused, multitask, and take time out for thinking. From this, I can create a guideline to follow and test out for two weeks. I can reflect on the routine - which parts have helped me, which parts need longer time, and iterate my routine accordingly.

Being advanced in my design career
I would like to continuously advance in my professional development and broaden my options, possibly venturing overseas. The prototyping strategy I could apply is having a curious, and open mind, and testing things out of context. Next year, or in the following semester, I can try to search for a variety of events that are out of my usual realm (including business competitions, charity projects), that can grow my experience and other skills (entrepreneurship, leadership & communication), as well as building connections. This will help shape my career path, as designers also need conceptual design skills of being business-oriented, concept design, as well as interpersonal skills to work with professionals of different fields [2].
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‍Designing improvements for larger systemic issues
The way humans live is inherently self-oriented. A great leap we need to take to benefit our ecosystem is to shift to system centred designs. As such a small human, it is difficult to prototype such large issues. However, we can start local (city systems and problems. Prototyping strategies I could test : 1 - Case studies, to test the effectiveness of a proposed modelling approach, as well as making observations [3]. For example, using my household as a prototype - A home is a system that has similarities to the bigger world: Simply put, we live in individual units (rooms), with common spaces (living/dining), contribute with jobs (chores), and has a waste management system (laundry/trash). I am unsure how, but I could the house prototype to test system design, and observe potential flaws that might correspond to problems in the city, then design solutions to experiment. Approach 2 - Systems research - I could research innovative economies and their systems e.g. Germany, to evaluate what operations make them successful, and model how they can be applied to other economies and systems.