EMD0052 Design Studio 3: System
Weekly outline
-
Future news about design education
Reflection from last semester
Start-stop-continue method about D&TF
Break
Intro to the course and theme: micromobility
Map of urban mobility systems today: draw in how Micromibility sits in this system. Use the help of AI.
Homework for 10.09:
Find tensions in the system, try to understand their nature.Background study: what are the best examples to overcome the existing tensions > Add the information to the map.
-
Check-in exercise: understanding mappingIntro to systems design mappingVisual mapping exercise, 7 phases. Describe D&TF department in map, add drivers (including your personal ones) and find the tensions.(Those who were absent need to do the exercise at home and present it next time. )Break
Presenting and discussing maps
Redraw your micromobility map, discussion
Homework 17.09:
Micromobility map. Start with a tension (or a topic or the 7-phase exercise to reach tensions), include findings from research (and your previous map), add as much as possible – be ready to describe and explain the tensions and connections.
Mapping task is done individually, preferably on a big paper by hand.
Read pages 1 - 77 from the "Designing Complexity" book by Birger Sevaldson. -
-
Discussing the reading, systems, maps, connections, topics.
Create a research plan for next week, include an action or experiment.
HOMEWORK FOR 24.09:
Proceed with your mapping and research, implement the ZIP-analysis. Reason your choices and results.
Read the "Liikuvusuuring" study for background.
-
Overview of maps, ZIP, focus points, stakeholders
Intro to co-design
Prepare for probing
Homework for 01.10:
– Define your key stakeholders;
– Create a sketch / plan for probing. -
-
Classroom:
Probes workshop
Homework for 08.10:
Develop your set of probes and test it with one person. Bring the probe to studio.
To get more inspiration (and knowledge) about probing, have a look at Tuuli Mattelmäki's doctoral thesis:
https://issuu.com/acunar/docs/design_probes -
Refining probe kits
Homework: the ones who have been progressing according to our schedule and have been participating in most of the in-class exercises don't have to come to class next Tuesday (if you want to meet us you're welcome to join, we're at school). Continue with your probing, get it done by mid-week next week, in order to have time to analyse your results and process – map it down to visually show your main insights and "What if's". Try to add it to your main/big map. Present it in the 22.10 class.
Homework for 15.10 for those who have been absent or have not fulfilled the main tasks:
– Show your map that we started 5 weeks ago: the map should show your process in your chosen field, connectedness and dynamics, how you've chosen focus and applied the ZIP-analysis. Articulate and reason the choices of your focus and main related issues, which creates the basis of your probing.
We expect that you've read the Sevaldson book reading given, as well as all other readings listed so far.
– Show your progress with probing / probe kits. If you were absent today (08.10), but have developed your probe kits, then send to us by e-mail.
A reminder: our over-arching topic is micro-mobility, your chosen focus should have a clear connection to it.
Carl-Eric, Erki, Glen, Kadri, Liina-Mai, Simone – your participation is needed in the 15.10 class. -
Insights from probes, analysis
Futures triangle
Homework for 29.10
Prepare a 10min presentation. Present your process* and progress by covering:
– A map that depicts how you reached your choice of topic, then a zoom in to your focus, where insights* from your probes (and conducted studies), and main stakeholders are added;
– Based on a map explain on slides your problem area and statement(s);
– Futures perspective: what kind of opportunities have you identified connecting futures signals with your insights? Use the Futures Triangle exercise to explain how the futures reflect on your topic's past and present, and how they are interrelated.
* Show the process in a concise manner. You don't have to describe every reading and probe you've conducted, but the relevant findings and insights. Your map should reveal all the details if there is a need to reason your choices.
* Insights are not keywords or all the possible findings mapped down. They are articulated full sentences of the synthesis of your findings.
Organise the order of presentations yourself. First presenter starts at 9.15, everyone is expected to be present from start to finish to be able to give feedback later. Stay within the 10min time limit.
Your work is evaluated by: presentation, participation in class, completed mandatory intermediate tasks, and feedback you give to your peers. -
-
MID-REVIEW PRESENTATION
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3900720754?pwd=a5yKNGn6b81T2Ox4WKU7TnCYlDnEau.1
Homework for 5.11:
TASK 1:
Futures signals
Continue exploring future signals and trends (connected to your topic). One source that may help you with widening the basis for the search: https://radar.manyone.com/intro
Consider the signals as a starting point to identify new trends before they are taken up in the mainstream of society and the media (so not existing or soon to be launched products, services, etc). Their role is to help you open up new viewpoints and broaden your perception of possibilities.
To find as many interesting signals as possible, scan the horizon systematically: examine different categories. Most common taxonomy in horizon scanning is PESTLE (slide) – your research is still a little thin if you collect too many findings in one category and hardly any under others. PESTLE consists of six categories, find signals at least in four underlined areas (depicted on slide).
TASK 2:
Ideation
To ideate on more directions and identify diverse opportunities do the lotus blossom. For those who don't remember the method, here is a reminder.
Combining your research insights, future signals and your imagination ideate on the blossom: write down your topic / focus point / problem / paradox in the center and ideate 8 possibilities/ideas/thoughts around it, then take one generated possibility from the first round and ideate new 8 possibilities around it, and then a new one from the second round and ideate 8 new; from the first round ideation take another point and repeat with two rounds. Altogether you should have 5 "boards" with boxes (5x9) filled in. -
Futures signals and trends + Lotus blossom
Value systems canvasHomework for 12.11 is to improve your work of the last two weeks:– Clarify the concept you go forward with. Reason your choice – it should be based on your research (including futures signals).– Who is your main target group and what is the value you are aiming to create for them?– Who are other stakeholders involved? What kind of value is created for them?– Re-do the systems value canvas to understand better the value to be created for a single stakeholder and their system, as well describe what kind of value and effect is created for the system. Bring out both positive and negative points.Re-do the lotus blossom exercise if it didn't give you the expected results. It can always be improved / ideated further.– Explain how these tools (lotus blossom, futures signals, systems value canvas) created input for your concept advancement. (The questions is not whether they did or not, but HOW). -
-
Systems value canvas
Concept development
For 19.11 homework:
Watch the brief video about Causal-Layered analysis: https://youtu.be/ImWDmFPfifI?si=vd4vfwWovdZ3Qyut
Have a look at the article as well: https://www.foresightfordevelopment.org/sobipro/55/760-six-pillars-futures-thinking-for-transforming -
-
Concept development, reflections and planning of iterations
Homework for 03.12:
Create light prototypes / mock-ups of your concept.
Describe 5 reasons how your concept involves promises/elements of futures. -
Tensions
Scenarios, user stories, AI
Homework for 10.12:
a) Finalise the scenarios started in the class.
b) Develop your idea, including 3D/physical prototyping.
c) Create a persona for your concept and use scenario (consider scenarios created in class as references (if makes sense/help).
Persona is a representation of one user group (not one person), depicting in addition to functional aspects of her/his life (moving from spot A to spot B), also daily life mundane tasks, habits, practices, attitudes, expectations, etc.
-
Finalising design, storytelling.
Homework for 17.12: Prepare a presentation
In a 10min presentation:- Briefly introduce the background context and problem space of your project and topic
- Conclude from the futures approach: What is future telling us?
- Describe your focus and problem statement
- Who are involved? Who is your target group?
- The key insights from research/probes/experiments
- The re-defined focus-area / reframing
- Identified opportunity spaces; > What did you prototype?
- Design proposal
- Explain your concept through visual user scenarios with persona(s).Pay attention to the visuals: your scenarios (and the entire presentation) shouldn't be crammed with heavy pieces of AI art, but more of conveying the most important message and its aspects in a simple way.
Build up your presentation so that you use your map as well slides covering your experiments with prototypes. If your prototype helps to explain the proposal, bring it with you.Everything you present should serve the purpose of explaining and supporting your final/current concept. Each mapping exercise or eliminated idea should not be part of the presentation. -
Tuesday 17.12 Presentation of concept
@EKA from 10.00 - 15.00 in the room A-204
Everyone is expected to be present for the whole day
(except the ones presenting for Berlin Uni on Monday)
Highly recommended: Ezio Manzini is visiting EKA (a rare occasion) and giving a lecture from 16.00 - 17.00 in the main auditorium A-101 at EKA.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a general feedback to your 17.12 presentation, recall at first what steps have we taken during the Design Studio 3 course. Here is a short reminder:
SYSTEMS VIEW
Methods used:
- 7 phases - tensions
- Map of Micromobility Systems - ZIP to define points of focus
- Value System Canvas
FUTURES
Methods used:
- Futures Triangle
- Futures Signals
- Causal Layered Analysis
- Testing Futures Scenario Creation with the help of AI
USERS / STAKEHOLDERS
Methods used:
- Stakeholder analysis
- Probing
- Systems Value Canvas
Based on that reflect on your work and recall what and how you took into practice in your work. Improve on how to use this knowledge and skills, how to understand and present the Future and how you include the systems view.
The task was to look into the Future, understand the powers what are influencing it, discuss the possible different Futures from preferable to possible ones, then choose a Future you want to create for and propose your new concept in the field of Micromobility.
The aim of conceptual design is to propose a new idea to be discussed, to offer a new and fresh approach which could solve our problems in a better way. If we deal with Future it is a means to discuss the new ways to behave in this Future. You are free from our present daily restrictions, you can playfully discuss the new what is coming. But you have to show how your proposal is fitting into this system, how it is influenced from the chosen Future and how it influences other systems around.
In order to do that, for 08.01 prepare two tasks >> depicted under the 08.01 date.
-
We will meet at 10.00 at our classroom in TalTechTwo tasks for 08.01:TASK 1: A future scenarioDescribe a future scenario through which you explain your problem focus and concept.(Micromobility in 2040 as an overall topic – you can add your title that refers to your work).1. Give an overview of trends and signals (regarding micromobility) that will shape the future. It is not sufficient to cover the biggest megatrends, find more specific ones, analyse and show what kind of insights they create for you. They need to be backed up by sources, e.g. refer to a source where they originate from, or show based on what you drew the conclusion. Include a weak signal that supports your problem focus and/or concept.2. Tell a story how chosen trends and signals will influence people in a societal level – what new meaning they are creating, what will change, who and what will be affected – not in a technocratic view, but the way people see, do, think about their daily activities (in a personal and in a social way).3. Continuing, the future scenario should create an input for your focus area and concept – based on the trends and signals, bring out the factors that should be taken into account, name what are the pains and gains, from where you can identify opportunities – through these reason your choices and argue the relevancy of your topic, describe your concept. Identify major stakeholders and their potential influences on the scenario.Explain what your concept is aiming for: at first a more general view/sentence which should be followed by a clear description of the use case of your concept / what it does / what your concept enables. Emphasise the value you are aiming to create in the future (both in a personal and systemic level).Remember: the future scenario together with your concept description should form a consistent story, written in a narrative manner (not bullet points or separated paragraphs) – it should vividly illustrate how the described future might unfold and what you are proposing to happen in that future.Length: min. one A4 (max. two A4-s), deadline 07.01 12.00 > upload to MoodleTASK 2: A systems mapShow the draft of your map. The map should support your scenario creation.The final map should illustrate how you have made sense of the topics covered in DS 3 connected to your work and topic:– At first show how you have structured the information;– Then depict how you understood the dynamics and connections of different topics and factors (related to your problem space);– The third layer should explain potential innovation and intervention points, from where you created your solution.The final map needs to be ready by 14.01, but we need to have an overview of your process on 08.01. If you can't attend the 08.01 class, upload the map to Moodle.
-
FINAL PRESENTATION at 9.30 / TalTech, in our classroom / 10 minutes for one presentation
Your presentation has to consist of 3 parts:- A map
- A design proposal
- A case scenario
- The aim of the map is to make sense* of your concept (back)ground (and related factors) and reason the system in your work. Thus, visualise and show in your map:
– Issues, factors, elements related to your topic;– Key drivers and trends, signals from the future (societal, environmental included);– User groups values, expectations, way of living (in the future);– Tensions – Problem ground / Situation – Opportunities
– Show and articulate what kind of meaning the most important connections and dynamics create (that support your concept). Your map has to have an aim which is stated in the name of your map.(As an example, in Rin's work case: Merging together the utilisation of unused bikes, system enabled by IoT, empowering citizens to be active, healthy, creating new kind of interaction between them + adding signals about the future – covers many factors and issues in an environmental, societal, technological, and even political segments – all these should be present / described in the map, creating a system that is understandable and reasons your topic, focus and concept).In the presentation talk only about the most important in your map, you can't explain every detail.- A proposal: show on slides your solution. It should be followed and derived logically from the map, where the system in explained. Describe what kind of value you create for the people you are designing for.
- A case scenario: show through a visualised use scenario:– In what kind of society this concept is played through (what is different in 2040 than now, don't get stuck into today's issues and obstacles but present the concept through the value it creates);– How your proposal is put into use through a daily life scenario illustrating user's values, expectations and way of living in 2040. A glimpse of one or two one-to-one details of important touchpoints are helpful to create understanding. You do not have to solve and design everything in detail.– What is novel about your concept?You can choose whether to show your concept through a video or visualised use scenario.
*Make sense means that your map helps to understand why you have chosen this topic, how you reached your focus, what your concept is about and what it enables. If you map down the elements and stakeholders that are potentially connected to your topic, but do not create depth inside the topic, neither show what is the dynamic between the factors, elements, issues and stakeholders (need to articulate with full sentences, not keywords), then the map does not serve the intended purpose. Show what implications and influence the relatedness of different factors, elements, issues and stakeholders within your topic have.