Workshops
A Re-celebration of the "Thinking Hand"
Workshop Presentation Layla Karajica, Fay Al Khalifa
With the introduction of computer-aided design tools, students have been drifting away from using manual sketches, drawings, and hands-on modeling experiences as an integral part of their preliminary design process. They abandon the notion of manual work all together to start their designs directly on the screen, a trend that is increasingly becoming popular amongst design students. This workshop focuses on the importance of the "Thinking Hand" in the design process and investigates the impact of the hands-on experience on the designed object. Participants will be actively involved in answering the following question: Should we celebrate this abandonment of the "Thinking Hand" or should it be brought back to our design studios?
Minimizing Bias through Visual Analysis
Workshop Presentation Gillian Harvey
It is important for design students to understand how viewers might interpret the visual messages they have created, and how each element within a design solution can contribute to the communication of an intended message. This is a difficult task partly because within any context there may be multiple messages or layers of meaning, and because viewers have unique backgrounds and experiences. As educators, our job is to work with students to be systematic in their analysis and exploration. Students in the Bachelor of Design program at the University of Alberta are taught to critically analyze messages in a second year research class in Visual Communication Design Studies. In this class, they are encouraged to gather and explore visual messages in their world on campus. Students create an analytical tool to aid in systematic exploration of the messages. Using the tool, they redesign one message in three different ways effectively generating different versions of the same message. This project allows students to do four things: 1. Think about the value and effectiveness of designing messages using an analytical tool; 2. Dissect a visual message and understand it’s component parts in order to be able to create something new; 3. Reflect in writing about their process and outcomes and impression of the value of various approaches to message analysis and construction; 4. Document and reflect on the importance of creating tools in their own work that will aid in the creation of work that is socially and culturally relevant.
