ruchi - learning so far

Hello Sir,

Initially, I had a very vague idea about what this course is all about. The only fact that I was familiar with was that the course would prove to be the foundation for further design processes. We started by an introduction phase which usually happens. But the most exciting part was that the introduction happened in a unique way; by sharing our worst fear. We played a memory game by repeating each other’s fear in sequence. This helped me to know more about each other as well as in strengthening my concentration power. It also led to a step forward in developing a team spirit. Then the discussion phase started off and the initial discussions left me completely confused and blank. In the next exercise we had to design a comb worth a million dollar. The exercise was quite interesting and everybody came up with wild ideas which may or may not practically work. No constraints were given, i.e. we were free to explore as much as we can. Criticism and presentation of my concepts made me more confident to explore and go wild. The next discussion opened my mind to view the practicalities of the processes involved in design. I learnt to identify opportunities during the process and the problem solving areas too. Moreover, I came to know about the role of innovation in the design process and to identify people involved in the products life cycle. All these processes were practically understood by the succeeding exercises. I had never thought of that a simple process of eating an ice cream can bring forth so many observations and even had not observed details of packaging, material, and manufacturing processes beforehand. Overall, this exercise increased my observation power to a great extent. We had to buy any product worth 10 bucks which seemed interesting. The user-observer study of the product made my observation skills stronger and quick. The discussion “what is this’ regarding the various possibilities helped me open up and think quicker. Moreover, it helped to bring forth the term ‘affordance’ which I had never known before. The movie was a great experience from which I learnt that a team work with full understanding of each others concepts can work wonders. On the basis of the observations made for the product we had to think more possibilities and present our wild ideas in form of sketches. With each assignment presentation skills improve and there is a tendency to accept the criticism in a more positive way in order to come up with a better outcome the next time. Finally, we had to conceptualise a product of an identified possibility and make a model of it. Initially I was a little confused because of the scarcity of time. But to make the model under certain constraints, time being the major one, seemed to be a complex job. I was disappointed when nothing exciting would strike at the moment. I came to know that most wild and insane ideas can also play wonders. I also realized that the idea which seems good on paper may not practically work that well while making the prototype. Many of my preconceived notions changed. Overall, this exercise proved to be a fun and a good learning experience. Now I am provided with a new dimension and looking forward to learn more and develop a different perspective.

With regards

Ruchi