Homework for Tuesday 11/2

Ciao, studenti!

Today in class, we'll introduce a new project, the Creative Profile, and also take a closer look at your presentations on School Improvement.

For next week, please come to class having read the chapter on PLAY in Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind.  We'll discuss, as well as practice!

~MrC

Design Thinking Article from the Harvard Business Review

Class,

Please read this article from the Harvard Business Review, Design Thinking by Tim Brown.  It's just 8 pages long, and we'll discuss on Thursday as well as have an in-class activity and take a look at your presentations.

~MrC

In-Class For Tuesday and Thursday 10/5 + 10/7

Students,

For class today, you'll get your study guides returned.  In general they're pretty good.  A little light for some, but not bad.  I'd like for you to meet with your group members, read my comments, and then begin revisions.  In general, the biggest shortcoming for many of them was a lack of thoroughness.  You had some great takes on the most salient points for the various materials you covered, but more details would improve many of them.

Next, please watch the video embedded below on Emotionally Intelligent Signage from Dan Pink.



After you've watched the video, please work with your group members (yup, same folks from the study guides) to identify:

1. Signage at the SVHEC (think bathrooms, hallways, classrooms, parking lot...)
2. Whether the sign demonstrates empathy, encourages empathy, or even is empathetic at all (pay attention to the distinction Pink makes in his presentation).  If a sign is not, make note.
3. How the sign could be more empathetic

To do this, yes, you'll need to get up, leave the classroom, and move around the SVHEC.  Record your answers and ideas in your sketchbooks.  You also have additional time to work on your Dieter Rams inspired "gute design" (no laughing, Ms Walton) examples from last Thursday's assignment.

This THURSDAY 10/7, I will not be in class.  (I'll actually be at a Creativity in Business seminar in Danville.)  You still need to come to class (attendance will be taken) and turn in your sketchbooks once more.  Before doing so, though, there'll be an in-class assignment (another portrait).  Over the weekend, read the Pink chapter on Symphony for discussion next week, and we'll go over your good/bad design examples and findings for signage around the the SVHEC.

~mrc

Dieter Rams on Design + HOMEWORK for next Tuesday 10/4

Studenti,

German design-meister and former design director at Braun electronics Dieter Rams had some great comments in the documentary Objectified describing his thoughts on design, what's good and bad in contemporary products from architecture to advertising, and the timelessness of good design.

In his words, "good design..."

• is innovative
• makes a product useful
• is aesthetic design
• makes a product understandable
• is honest
• is unobtrusive
• is long-lived
• is consistenti in every detail
• is environmentally friendly
• is as little design as possible

For class next Tuesday, take some pages in your sketchbook and put down your own thoughts on products and/or processes you find that possess these qualities, that adhere to these principles, and even ones that clearly fall short and why.  Take pictures, print them out, and paste them into your sketchbooks.  You might also pull advertisements featuring these products or processes out of paper ads in magazines and newspapers.

I'm not going to give a specific quantity, but I will encourage you to be aggressive, thoughtful, and wide-ranging.  More is better than less.

~mrc

COLLABORATIVE STUDY GUIDES

Students,

Please use the time in class today to meet as a group and begin your Study Guides, the guidelines for which are here.

I apologize once more for canceling class.  You don't want what I've got!

I am available by text or email if you have any questions, so please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions.

~mrc

Tuesday 9/21 Class Cancelled

Students,

I am sorry to say that class is cancelled for this afternoon, Tuesday 9/21.  I actually got much more sick after Thursday's class and have had a miserable time since then.  But there are many potent drugs in my system now, and we WILL have class on Thursday.  Please use the time wisely to make sure you've read and thought about the 2 chapters from A Whole New Mind and are ready to discuss Thursday.

Again, my apologies.

Best
~mrc

Class for Tuesday, September 14

Students,

Class has been cancelled for this evening. We will resume at our regular meeting time on Thursday, Sept 16th. Be sure you have your reading done!