Expanding Theory Lecture, Research Question Workshop, & Second Advisor Session

Expanding Theory Lecture Notes:


  • Researching theory and applying it to your design ideation - working with other peoples texts that are going to help push your ideas along
  • When quoting an author or artist use the full name the first time and from then on just use their surname
  • Identify the author's field and italicise their key theory terms (if they are unique theories)
  • What if? Think of how to best reach your audience, perhaps in new ways that are the most attention grabbing - "If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got."




Research Question Workshop:


  • We're at the stage where your project is starting to come into focus
  • How? Method? How will you do what you want to do? NOT MEDIUM YOU WILL USE
  • Why/So what? How does that help? What does that achieve? Why is that interesting?
  • I’m thinking about that --- I will do this --- To achieve this
  • Statement/Proposal --- Communication Action --- Vehicle (Medium)
  • A statement of intent
  • Moving away from 'How Can Design?' to 'Design Can'




Advisor Session With Patricia Notes:

"The Proposal: Show us that you’ve understood/consulted/researched enough to move forward with a convincing project."


  • Don’t make it too serious or "go at it finger shaking", try making it fun to make it stick
  • Look at Butan's interesting road signs, 'Works That Work', Meg Howe - Ask Away Project
  • Is the best time to impact drivers while they are out there driving?
  • What engages rural people now? Look for examples
  • Is the problem the people using it as a thoroughfare or the people that live there?
  • Try talking to the lecturer Georgiana Morrison (she has a horse and might give a different perspective than all the non-horses lecturers)
  • Could you go at it from the perspective of a horse?
  • Think about something that is going to suddenly strike people, something that you see right away while you are driving, something that impacts you as soon as you enter the rural area
  • Consider working with people who you would have to consult with to do it for "real", it is better to make it real if you can


https://worksthatwork.com/8/bhutan-road-signs

"The wry, gentle wisdom of Bhutan’s roadside signs make every drive an opportunity to reflect on the journey of life, and quite possibly reduce traffic accidents as a result."

‘You find yourself paying closer attention to the road,’ says Chencho Dorji, the taxi driver, looking in anticipation for the next little nugget of wisdom. ‘I used to drive 90 kph (56 mph) on this road,’ he admits, ‘but when I see the signs, I remember to slow down. Now I only go 50–60 (31–37 mph).’

There is a clear strategy behind these seemingly lighthearted road signs. ‘We are using humour to convey a subtle but important message,’ says Brigadier PKG Mishra. ‘No matter where in the world you’re from, humour is something that is easily understood, appreciated and remembered.’