This was an amazing teaching experience: a workshop for students of different specialties at the Srishti Interim 2016 in Bangalore, India. Quite far, not only by distance, but by working culture. Almost summer, and artists and lecturers from a variety of countries were there to work hand to hand with engaged students looking for novelty. Every day was a surprise. All and all we were in the flow and moved our plan flexibly. By doing so were able to have the students commited to the main purpose: creating a meaningful design on a four weeks deadline with recyclable technology and research tools that were exhibited at The Goethe Institute in Bangalore during two days.
“A method to discover your own method while contributing to your surroundings”
While students were collecting information, designing and prototyping, we asked them to map, document and reflect upon their process. This gave them an overview of the ways they create and develop ideas and helped them to be playful.
“A Designerly way of thinking and making“
The starting point of the workshop was to use various practice based research methods to explore the environment with this question in mind: What can you do – as a creative – in relation to your surroundings? how can you contribute?
“Feel the information, figure out what it is telling you”
Looking closely at the data collected, the students (re)defined primal ideas and reactions into conclusions that served as grounding points. Afterwards, the exploration of the ideas through several variables helped to validate the concept.
“Explore, Express, Make, Test, Try, Manifest”
Through small iterations like quick & dirty paper-prototypes, simulations and sketchy set-ups, the concepts got into shape. The outputs were done in a medium of choice: film, a performative presentation, installations using interactive technologies, were the forms of sharing/ presenting the works.
“(re)Discovering your creative process in conscious ways”
After a proper analysis of what and how they explored, designed and developed, students had a different insight on the various stages of their process.
We hope that this awareness may increase certainty and may help to design and create consciously and effectively.
