Design as Inquiry

Final hand-in: brief and instructions

2011-05-26T15:11:00.000+12:00

Be sure to hand in your final research paper with a copy of your rough draft (assignment 4) to Nan O'Sullivan (2nd Fl Wigan office) before 3pm on Friady 3 June.

Design for the other 90%

2011-05-25T13:34:00.006+12:00

Please watch as many of the following videos as you can in preparation for next week's lecture.
There is no assigned reading.

* Esther Duflo: Social experiments tofight poverty (16:47)

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/esther_duflo_social_experiments_to_fight_poverty.html

* R.A. Mashelkar: Breakthrough designs for ultra-low-cost products (19:41)

http://www.ted.com/talks/r_a_mashelkar_breakthrough_designs_for_ultra_low_cost_products.html

* Amy Smith shares simple, lifesaving design (15:06)

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_smith_shares_simple_lifesaving_design.html

* Sugata Mitra: The child-driven education (17:14)

http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html

* William Kamkwamba: How I harnessedthe wind (5:59)

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind.html

* Jane Chen: A warm embrace that saves lives (4:47)

http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_chen_a_warm_embrace_that_saves_lives.html

* Emily Pilloton: Teaching design for change (16:44)

http://www.ted.com/talks/emily_pilloton_teaching_design_for_change.html

* Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, two years on (16:36)

http://www.ted.com/talks/nicholas_negroponte_on_one_laptop_per_child_two_years_on.html

* Hans Rosling and the washing machine(9:16)

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html

* Hans Rosling shows the best statsyou’ve ever seen (19:53)

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html

Week 13: Massive Change

2011-05-23T15:54:00.001+12:00

This week's assigned reading, "Massive Change" by Bruce Mau

Critical Mass: view lecture here

2011-05-19T15:37:00.000+12:00

If you didn't make it to this week's lecture, "Critical Mass" given by Simon Fraser, Head of School, The School of Design, please watch the digital recording here.

Wed. guest lecture: Critical Mass

2011-05-14T17:44:00.000+12:00

This week's lecture will be given by Simon Fraser, Head of School, School of Design. The topic is 'Critical Mass' and the changing role of design with the increasing use of digital design and manufacturing processes. Please be in attendance.

What is Audio-Visual Culture?

2011-05-11T19:44:00.000+12:00

If you missed today's lecture by Dr. Leon Gurevitch, "Audio-Visual Culture", check it out here

Assignment 4: brief (in case you missed it)

2011-05-06T15:09:00.002+12:00

Deleuze and the Use of the Genetic Algorithm in Architecture

2011-05-05T10:05:00.000+12:00

Take a few minutes (well about 120 actually) to watch this lecture by one of the leading philosophers of digital design today, Manuel Delanda. You'll be glad you did.

This week's lecture: Curtains!

2011-05-04T13:36:00.001+12:00

The blogspot editor is experiencing some difficulties, so for now you can find the link to this week's lecture here on "Curtaining the Curtain Wall." This lecture is intended as model for you as you begin writing your paper. Plus it is entertaining. Look for the chocolate fish at the end.

Also, as a reminder don't forget to attend your tutorials this Friday to collect your assessments for Assignment 3 and to sign up for your individual writing workshop sessions.

Welcome back [the end is near!]

2011-05-02T15:43:00.000+12:00

Hope everyone had a restful Easter break. As a reminder, please note that Assignment 4 -- the first draft of your research paper -- will be due next Friday (13 May). Please see the assignment brief here for guidelines and requirements, and come to lecture on Wed. for further guidance, tips, and other incentives. Also, your assessments sheets for Assignment 3 will be distributed in tutorials on Friday.

FYI: 507 Mechanical movements

2011-04-13T21:04:00.007+12:00

Emergence

2011-04-10T20:21:00.001+12:00

This week's assigned readings:
An excerpt from Stephen Johnson's seminal work on Emergence here and Paola Antontelli's essay "All together now!" here, from Design and the Elastic Mind.

Hand-in Schedule Change: please note

2011-04-06T14:58:00.000+12:00

Having considered a few thoughtful requests from students regarding the hand-in schedule for Assignments 4 and 5, it has been decided that an extra week will be given for you to prepare your first draft (Assignment 4). Please note the changes to the original hand-in schedule below:
REMAINING SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS + ASSESSMENTS
(New hand-in date for Assignment 4 below -- please note!!)

April

6 Wed. week 6: research paper 101

8 Fri tutorials April (cont.)

13 Wed. week 7: emergence

15 Fri. ASSIGN. 3 DUE; no tutorials

18 Mon. Mid-trimester break begins

May

2 Mon. Mid-trimester break over

4 Wed. week 10: morphogenesis

6 Fri. tutorials

11 Wed. week 11: critical mass

13 Fri. ASSIGN. 4 DUE; tutorials

18 Wed. week 12: audio-visual culture

20 Fri. tutorials

25 Wed. week 13: massive change

27 Fri. tutorials

June

1 Wed. week 14: design4theOther90%

3 Fri. FINAL PAPER DUE; no tutorials

What is a Case Study?

2011-04-04T09:53:00.003+12:00

If you are wondering what a 'Case Study' is and more specifically, what is expected from you in Assignment 3, be sure to attend (or watch) this week's lecture. We will go over the Case Study in detail and how it should relate to your larger research project and paper. Also, please note I have added three prior Case Study assignments as examples for you to review on the Tools+Briefs page of this blog.

case study [noun]
A particular instance of something used or analyzed in order to illustrate a thesis or principle : airline deregulation provides a case study of the effects of the internal market.

Assignment 3: project brief

2011-04-01T14:02:00.001+13:00

See previous examples below (note these are in CMS not APA style as was previously required)
SAMPLE CASE STUDIES
1. Sustainable Design Methods
2. Class, status, and identity
3. Manufactured desires

Week 5: Information as Ideology

2011-03-29T15:52:00.005+13:00

In preparation for tomorrow's lecture have a look at David McCandless's excellent site: Information is Beautiful and Manuel Lima's site: Visual Complexity. Either offers a great place to start an exploration of critical visualisation.

from visualcomplexity.com

Research skills video tutorials: online now+

2011-03-25T12:40:00.000+13:00

If you would like to continue to sharpen your skills at finding articles and other materials relevant to your research topic, have a look at the Vic Library's new online tutorial videos (here).

Tardigotchi: steampunk, postdigital, or??

2011-03-23T13:24:00.000+13:00

Tardigotchi_English from Studio Bureau on Vimeo. Concept, Design and Fabrication of Tardigotchi by SWAMP and Tiago Rorke. Read more about the Tardigotchi project here.

Steampunk and the E-baroque: background + assign. reading

2011-03-18T11:09:00.003+13:00

Week 4: assigned reading is here. For more background on this week's topic, visit The Steampunk Workshop and the wikipedia entry for Steampunk; also of interest, explore the 'history' of the Telelectroscope

Draft thesis statement: bring to tutorials on Friday

2011-03-16T15:22:00.000+13:00

Please bring your best attempt at a thesis statement / argument for your investigation to tutorials on Friday. Read the project brief for Assignment 2 for specific examples of what a thesis statement should look like.

Assignment 2: brief

2011-03-16T15:19:00.001+13:00

The brief and guidelines for the second assignment have been posted. Note the examples of each required component highlighted in yellow.

Howling at the Moon: thoughts on the everyday

2011-03-14T16:00:00.006+13:00

This week's topic: the everyday: in preparation for Wednesday's lecture, please read the excerpt from Nicholson Baker, The Mezzanine and Howling at the Moon: The Poetics of Amateur Product Reviews .

Cat Genie, Self-Flushing, Self-Washing Cat Box

One Source

2011-03-08T13:21:00.005+13:00

Don't forget to bring one potential source (the citation at least) to lecture tomorrow. Also remember to do this week's reading: W. Bostwick, How (not) to write like a designer, from Core77 2 Feb. 2009 (you can find a pdf on this blog or in the R-drive).

#POSSIBLEPAPPERTOPICS

2011-03-07T13:04:00.002+13:00

Can't think of a research topic? [consider one of these]
failure in the design process // panopticism and social media // aura and the resurgence of craft // the digital everyday // sustainability and product lifecycles // green design or green-washing // mass customisation and the death of the designer // consumer-crafted identities // e-baroque and the return of the curve // gaming and social activism // processing and the scripting of design // the design of gender // the gendering of design // the history of ergonomics // ecological design // hyperreality in 21st century design // craft and design // spectacle and the image in design // war and design // ornament and crime // postmodernism as design mashup // intellectual property and the copyleft movement // the rise of the digital nomad // cyberspace and the googlocracy // privacy and social media // viral marketing and the post-brand era // wireless computing and the internet of things // science fiction and design....

Helpful tips for creating annotated bibliographies

2011-03-04T14:56:00.001+13:00

You can also find the PDF on under Briefs + Tools

What is a scholarly source?

2011-03-04T10:27:00.001+13:00

As you beginning developing your Annotated Bibliography, don't forget that you need 4 out of 5 of your sources to be "scholarly". What does that mean? Have a look here or here or have a search here.

Week 1, theme: critical design

2011-03-01T17:27:00.006+13:00

Join us in LT1 tomorrow at 11.30am to find out more about 'critical design' and how it might help you THINK about what you do differently...

[and you'll find out more about this dog...]

Tutorial streams: sign up now!

2011-03-01T09:26:00.001+13:00

CCDN271: Design as Inquiry -- tutorial sign-up sheets have been posted outside of LT1. If you can't get into a stream that works with your course schedule, email margaret.petty@vuw.ac.nz or stop by Margaret's office, 4.10 Wigan.

Welcome to CCDN271: Design as Inquiry

2011-02-15T15:46:00.025+13:00

Why 'Design as Inquiry"?
Rapid innovations, expanding technologies, and a voracious culture of social media serve to increase the impact and implications of the economic, political, and ecological conditions we face today. More than ever before then, it is essential that design as a profession and designers as individuals integrate reflection and criticism into the practice of design. Design as Inquiry asks students to approach the study and practice of design critically and provocatively from a multi- disciplinary perspective.

What can be gained from 'Design as Inquiry?
This course will build upon students' base design knowledge and skills, expanding this intellectual framework and applying new ideas to the examination and critique of design.

Where and when does 'Design as Inquiry' happen?
LECTURES:
Wed. 11:30pm – 1:10pm Room: LT 1
TUTORIALS:
Fri. 10:30am – 11:20am Room: VS204 stream A
Fri. 11:30am – 12:20pm Room: VS204 stream B
Fri. 12:40pm – 13:30pm Room: VS308 stream C
Fri. 13:40pm – 14:30pm Room: VS308 stream D
Fri. 14:40pm – 15.30pm Room: VS308 stream E
Fri. 15:40pm – 16.30pm Room: VS308 stream F

See you there...

Robert Hodgin's Bait ball

Remaining research papers: please pick up

2010-07-13T11:37:00.001+12:00

If you have not yet picked up your final research paper and would like to, please do so by the end of this week [Friday 16 June]. I’m in most days from 8:30am – 4:00pm (meetings and classes excepting), please feel free to try your luck and swing by my office [Wig 410, behind the Media lab], or make an appointment--if the latter, suggest a time in your email please.

FYD student photograph

Final research papers

2010-06-25T11:11:00.000+12:00

The final research papers have been marked and can be picked up. Email margaret.petty@vuw.ac.nz to make arrangements to collect your paper.

FINAL RESEARCH PAPER DUE 18 JUNE

2010-06-04T07:03:00.004+12:00

Assignment 2 [final research paper] must be handed in by noon on Friday 18 June. Please hand in a printed hard copy to student reception [admin desk, atrium]. Be sure to include on the cover page, your name, student number, and your tutor's name. No R-drive submissions.

Outlines: Friday [4 June] in tutorial

2010-06-02T14:36:00.003+12:00

Don't forget to mock-up an outline for your final research paper to bring to tutorial on Friday [June 4]. This is your opportunity for feedback from your tutor and to confirm that you are on the right track with Assignment 2. Follow the structure below, and remember, it is just an outline, so broad strokes and bullet points are fine. The word count is only to help you guide your content for the final paper.

** Also, test 2 will be handed back in tutorial on Friday. Come for the marks, stay for the writing workshop...

Futurologist: this week's theme

2010-06-01T13:10:00.001+12:00

There is no assigned reading this week. It is higly suggested that you use your time wisely to read (or find) appropriate sources for your final research paper.
Tomorrow's lecture will explore the role of the "future" in design discourse and practice -- all you need to bring is a curious mind.

Following the discussion of "futurology" we will review key strategies and structures for composing a successful final research paper.

The future according to Ray Kurzweil

2010-06-01T13:02:00.000+12:00

An Interview with Ray Kurzweil, Inventor, Bestselling Author, WorldFuture 2010 Speaker.

Upcoming research tutorials in the SoAD library

2010-05-31T10:08:00.001+12:00

Take advantage of these tutorials to sharpen your research skills and to help you produce a successful research paper. All sessions listed below will be held in the SoAD library.

Upcoming tutorials:

Finding journal articles

3pm Tuesday and Wednesday [1st and 2nd June]

11am Thursday [3rd June]

Tutorials next week:

Referencing11am Tuesday and Wednesday [8th and 9the June]

3pm Wednesday and Thursday [9th and 10th June]

Tips for writing a research paper

2010-05-26T14:53:00.004+12:00

For more writing guides explore the materials under the Briefs + Tools page of this blog or the SoAD 'R-Drive' folder for CCDN271.

Digital recordings of lectures--USE FIREFOX

2010-05-25T14:09:00.001+12:00

If you are having trouble playing the digitally recorded 271 lectures (linked from the blog) try using firefox. There seems to be difficulties with playing the lectures through internet explorer on the SoAD computers.

No Tutorials on Friday, 28 May

2010-05-25T10:12:00.000+12:00

There will be no tutorials on Friday this week. However, it is highly suggested that if you would like one-on-one guidance for your research paper or personalised feedback on your abstract (assignment 1) please use this time to make an appointment with your tutor or the course coordinator.

Test 2: this week, Wed. 26 May LT1 + LT2

2010-05-25T10:09:00.000+12:00

Don't forget! Test 2 on Wed. this week, starting at 11:30am in LT1 + LT2. Bring your notes and study aids. Good luck!!

Review notes for Test 2

2010-05-20T11:37:00.004+12:00

Work through this presentation and prepare answers (and questions) for tomorrow's review in the tutorial streams.

The Test 2 review notes can also be found on the "briefs + tools" page.

Steven Johnson: The Web and the city

2010-05-19T16:00:00.001+12:00

Watch this short Tedtalks for a closer and contextualised look at the role of emergence in complex social systems.

Slime mould!!

2010-05-17T21:25:00.001+12:00

For more on this week's theme of Emergence, click here.

Assignment 2: brief

2010-05-11T09:28:00.000+12:00

The project brief for Assignment 2 is available here.

Week 11: Morphogenesis

2010-05-10T12:41:00.005+12:00

This week we enter a new scale: the collective and the swarm. In keeping with this theme we will explore bottom-up design processes and the concept of 'morphogenesis'. This week's reading (above) is a primary text, in other words a historic text, from 1966 that introduces many of the core elements of design discourse in this area today. Please read it carefully and keep in mind its historical context. In addition to the reading above, please watch the Manuel DeLanda lecture (below) on the use of the Genetic Algorithm in Architecture. This lecture nicely articulates many aspects of this week's theme and pulls a number of the issues covered in the assigned reading into twenty-first century design discourse.

Walter Benjamin and the "loss" of aura

2010-05-06T10:20:00.001+12:00

If you have not yet read Walter Benjamin's seminal essay (1935) "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," please take some time to work through this exceptional text. It is lengthy so perhaps focus on the first half to begin with (essay below). Also, this summary of the article may prove helpful as well, follow link here.

E-baroque and Steampunk

2010-05-04T09:23:00.001+12:00

For more background on this week's topic, visit The Steampunk Workshop and the wikipedia entry for Steampunk; also of interest, explore the 'history' of the Telelectroscope

Week 10: reading Lupton's "The Modern Curve"

2010-04-30T09:08:00.000+12:00

Hand-in Friday: Assignment One

2010-04-29T13:02:00.001+12:00

For the hand-in of Assignment One on Friday, be sure to include at the top of your assigment YOUR NAME and YOUR TUTOR'S NAME. Follow the APA citation style for your bibliography, as illustrated on the blog under 'Briefs +Tools'. Finally, don't forget to print up a hard copy of your assignment and hand it in at the beginning of your regular tutorial session. The R-drive will not be used to hand-in this assignment -- you must give a hard copy to your tutor.

Quick tip sheet for database research

2010-04-28T14:29:00.002+12:00

Week 9: Critical Visualisation

2010-04-24T10:17:00.003+12:00

This week's reading: down load here from issuu

NO TUTORIALS THIS FRIDAY--all sections cancelled

2010-04-20T03:58:00.001+12:00

This Friday's tutorials have been cancelled, all sections, all times, to give you a bit of rest after all the hard work you've done preparing for the test tomorrow AND to give you some extra time to work on Assignment One. Please do take advantage of this 'break' and make sure you put your best effort forward with your first written assignment.

TEST ONE - WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL - 11:30am - LT1 + LT2

2010-04-18T22:47:00.000+12:00

Don't forget we have our first test on Wednesday 21 April beginning at our regularly scheduled lecture time, 11:30am. Both LT1 and LT2 will be used for the test, so please go to LT2 if LT1 is filling up. Remember you can bring your notes and readings, but please, no talking during the test. The test will take approximately one hour.

New links to all recorded lectures!

2010-04-15T21:46:00.001+12:00

These should work with Firefox + Sliverlight installed:

Week One: design as inquiry

Week Two: the everyday

Week Three: the placebo project

Week Four: design ethics

Week Five: massive change

Guidelines for watching recorded lectures

2010-04-13T11:44:00.006+12:00

1. The recorded lectures will NOT play on the Macs in the 4th FL Wigan Media Lab -- you must find another location to watch the lectures.
2. Use a PC whenever possible, such as those in the School's other computer labs, and Internet Explorer for watching the lectures.
3. If you are not at school, try downloading Microsoft Silverlight on your PC and then retry the lectures (download here).
4. If the issues persist, try another computer if possible.
5. Be sure to use your MyVictoria login and password to access the lectures.
6. You are always free to try to get usefully advice from ITS - Service DeskPhone: 463 5050 (8:00 am - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday) or use the Student ITS Help Form

Readings: downloads from Issuu

2010-04-05T21:52:00.002+12:00

Visit the following links to download and print any of the required readings:
week 1
week 2
week 3
week 4
week 5
Similarly visit the other CCDN271 course folders on Issuu to download pdfs of the lectures and other course materials.

Study guide for Test 1: use it (and your time) wisely

2010-03-31T14:52:00.002+13:00

Review for Test 1: this Wed. (31 March)

2010-03-29T08:59:00.003+13:00

COME TO LECTURE: In addition to introducing this week's theme: Massive Change, on Wednesday we will be reviewing for Test 1 -- which will be conducted on our first meeting after the Easter break, Wednesday 21 April. If you would like to optimise your test taking capabilities for our first test, it is HIGHLY recommended that you attend Wednesday's lecture.

PS. Remember there an NO tutorials this week.

Library tutorials: this week and next

2010-03-24T16:49:00.002+13:00

Admission: FREE (!) don't miss the upcoming library tutorials: database-searching classes classes run today and tomorrow at 3pm; also next Monday (29 March) and Tuesday (30 March) at 3pm. There will be classes on using the catalogue Wednesday (31 March) and Thursday (1 April) at 3pm.

TED Talks: the magic of the placebo

2010-03-24T13:37:00.000+13:00

For those of you who would like to know more about the Placebo Project, follow this link to Eric Mead's TED talk, The Magic of the Placebo.

Week 4: readings Foucault + Anderson

2010-03-22T14:01:00.001+13:00

Be sure to read both Foucault and Anderson before Wednesday's lecture, exploring the ethics of design and information in the 21st century.

Assignment 1: Abstract + Annotated Bibliography

2010-03-19T09:04:00.001+13:00

The Assignment 1 brief has been posted to this blog (see Briefs + Tools). We will discuss this brief in more detail on Wednesday.

Week 4 reading: Foucault on Panopticism

2010-03-18T19:21:00.004+13:00

Week 3: The Placebo Project

2010-03-15T09:02:00.003+13:00

This week we go undercover to explore the secret lives of electronic objects. Read more here and here.

Dunne+Raby, Electro-draught Excluder

Week 2: The Everyday [recorded lecture]

2010-03-10T13:05:00.001+13:00

Today's lecture on the Everyday is now available, click here.

Juicy Salif by Philippe Starck for Alessi

Howling at the Moon

2010-03-08T08:50:00.006+13:00

This week's topic: the everyday

in preparation for Wednesday's lecture, please read the excerpt from Nicholson Baker, The Mezzanine and Howling at the Moon: The Poetics of Amateur Product Reviews : Observatory: Design Observer

Cat Genie, Self-Flushing, Self-Washing Cat Box

Dunne+Raby Robots

2010-03-05T09:15:00.001+13:00

Technological Dream Series: No. 1, Robots from dunne & raby on Vimeo.

Today's lecture: recording available (sort of)

2010-03-03T13:10:00.004+13:00

Follow the link for a digital recording of today's [Wed. 3 March] lecture. You will be promted to "sign in" please use your Vic user name and password to login. Frustratingly, it seems as if the University's media player prefers Internet Explorer over Firefox. Mac users may have some difficulties as well. Need help? contact margaret.petty@vuw.ac.nz

Scheduling Conflicts? Don't panic...

2010-03-03T08:57:00.003+13:00

All students enrolled in FILM231 and DSDN283 will have access to full recordings of weekly CCDN271 Wed. lectures. Shortly after the lecture, a link will be posted on this blog directing students to the recorded lecture.Students enrolled in FILM231 should attend the FILM231 lectures on Wed. and watch the CCDN271 lecture online. Students in the Wed. morning DSDN283 should attend the first hour of the CCDN271 Wed. morning lecture, and step out quietly when it is time for the DSDN283 tutorial stream. Any questions/concerns, please contact margaret.petty@vuw.ac.nz

Tutorial Streams: room for all

2010-03-02T10:55:00.003+13:00

Please note the following [final] tutorial streams for CCDN271, room assignments have shifted from those on the course outline. Please contact the Course Coordinator: margaret.petty@vuw.ac.nz if you have any questions or conflicts or were unable to sign up for a tutorial stream after the first lecture.
Stream A: Fri. 10:30am-11:20am, VS308 [Craig Johnson]
Stream B: Fri. 11:30am-12:20am, VS308 [Craig Johnson]
Stream C: Fri. 12:40pm- 1:30pm, VS127 [Nan O'Sullivan]
Stream D: Fri. 1:40pm- 2:30pm, VS127 [Nan O'Sullivan]
Stream E: Fri. 4:40pm- 5:30pm, VS308 [Jason Petty]
Stream F: Fri. 5:40pm- 6:30pm, VS308 [Jason Petty]

Welcome

2010-03-01T11:55:00.002+13:00

This is the official blog for CCDN 271: Design Ideas in Context [Design as Inquiry], a second-year required course at The School of Design, Victoria University of Wellington. This course will employ a diversity of critical approaches and themes in the investigation of design as a social, cultural, political, and economic agent, as well as an object, process and act. These themes will be situated within a diversity of scales, including: the individual and personal; social and political; surface and symolic; and collective and swarm.

This blog will be used as the primary mode of delivering course materials, readings, resources, project briefs, and important updates. It is highly recommend that students follow this blog and regularly reviewing it for new information and instructions. Also, students are encouraged to comment and use this blog as a forum for discussion and debate.

"untitled" Start of the Year Exhibition 2010

2010-03-01T11:53:00.001+13:00

As you make your way through the atrium, take a moment to explore the work of past and present School of Design students and faculty. This year's start of year exhibition was developed, curated, and executed by First Year Design Programme Director Lee Gibson.