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Getting Ready For Virtual Studio
Getting Ready For Virtual Studio
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
CREATING A HOME STUDIO ENVIRONMENT
Your creativity and thinking this year for the Studio Courses will require you to
develop a space for your work to continue. This is an important aspect of your
success as a student and in design. You must make a space to allow for
creativity, inspiration, critical insight, laughter and the enjoyment of design.
So create a space for you and your creativity to occur. Get some cork boards so
you can hang up inspirational designs or trace paper. Find a large desk and put
it in a quiet space for concentration and focus. Make a place for your tools.
Make a place for your computer and your drawing and sketching.
Where will you put your Wall of Ideas and Images? How will you have an
inspiration filled workspace? How will this space be an environment for you to
learn about design and to learn about yourself. This workspace is the anchor for
your success for the upcoming semesters. This space must allow your to explore
and review and analyse and create.
You are developing your voice - a maturing voice of you and your view towards
the world and life. The voice you create this year in these studios will stay with
you beyond the classroom.
You are going to link your design work and ideas to a narrative and a design
idea you have? What body of work will you be creating and sharing with the
instructor and other students? Remember, the design process - the exploration
and iteration of ideas - is an important component of your grade in Studio.
We will check in with you often and are open to any communication we can provide to address
your concerns. We are here to support your education and success. We are here to listen.
Standard lecture approaches when taken from a classroom setting and sent
through the virtual environment sometimes leave a bad taste in the mouth,
resulting in both students and lecturers feeling disconnected. The LA Program
seeks to address this challenge and build connections which are key to student
success and make learning and teaching enjoyable. The relationships between
students and instructors affects everything from student satisfaction to their
capacity to take risks and excel, to a sense of personal efficacy and sustained
curiosity.
Recent research on student engagement in online learning has shown the need
to focus on the quality and variety of such relationships. Online, it is important to
establish a strong teacher presence to motivate students and ensure they feel
cared for. Hearteningly, the research also found that students did not see online
platforms as the main barrier to meaningful interaction.
We must be prepared and ready to accept this mode of teaching and learning.
Here are some qualities of what a good on-line course in the LA Program for
2020 will look like:
Teach yourself: Even though you'll be learning from your teachers and fellow students, it's important to teach yourself the things that aren't always included in the
curriculum. The internet is home to a beautiful, magnificent, constantly-updated treasure trove of tutorials.
Organize & Catalog: As you visit websites, make a graphic library; take the time to organize your research and graphics - it will serve as a tool in the future.
Create Freely: University and design studio are there to open our minds. Don't let yourself or others close it. Sometimes you can’t find the reasons for a design decision you
make, Just believe in your ideas and continue to work on it until it is clear. You have these classes of total experimental freedom. Enjoy it.
Read Read Read: Look through journals and books. Follow RSS feeds and blogs. Look at websites for current ideas and designs.
Don’t be afraid to question your teachers: there are many ways to approach landscape architecture design and becoming a clone of someone else isn’t always the best
way. You’ll produce more interesting and individual designs by learning from your teachers, but also questioning them occasionally. Their feedback may not be right, but
you have to show why.
Persevere: Frustration will be part of your everyday life when designing and exploring solutions. Each assignment will test your resolve, love the work and know the big
picture.
Be Patient: Listening to an arrogant student or annoying professor might be hard, but there is always something to learn – even if it's just what not to do.
Learn to Write: Writing is an important skill in landscaoe architecture and needed to successful communicate design ideas. Write. Edit. Google Translate. Visit Writing
Center. Repeat. Better articulation results in a clearer design process, you’ll develop a better appreciation for what to say during reviews and crits by practicing in writing.
Stay Healthy: Design activities can be strenuous, but you’ll be far more effective as a fully functioning student than as an overworked zombie.
Stay Energized: Eat full meals at proper times whenever possible. When it isn’t, make sure to keep healthy snacks available - a tin of nuts or clementines can save your life.
ENJOY THE
FOR A CHANGING FUTURE OF LEARNING
EXPERIENCE
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
HOW TO BE A STRATEGIC DESIGNER
In order to be a good designer, you will have to first play and outline what you will do and how you will go about meeting your design goals
and the course requirements. This strategic organization is key to achieving success in your studio classes.
Writing down a schedule or a list of items you will produce is just a critical to sketching and graphically thinking about your design. You
should try to engage both sides of your brain in the design process - the linear, objective oriented side and the creative, explorative side.
Doing so will keep you on track to complete the assignments in a reasonable amount of time with a high level of quality.
Importantly, as your design ideas develop and you begin to do the work of your schedule, new ideas and new requirements will arise. But
you will need to maintain your strategy and refine your approach as needed. Landscape architecture design and problem-based learning is
not a linear process. There is no predictable sequence of events or rational approach to creating a good design. To think of design in
landscape architecture studio as a linear sequence of tasks is an illusion you must not hold on to.
Rather, design studio is a continuous process of design idea, review and assess, and improve or explore alternatives + repeat. Design, thus,
becomes an iterative process - where the exploration of design ideas and refinement of design alternatives grows and evolves from doing
the work of design and design thinking. You must synthesise ideas during this design activity.
“Iteration” according to Merriam-Webster Online:
a), constitutes “a procedure in which repetition of a sequence of operations yields results successively closer to a desired result.”
As you actively design and do the homework of design, you will see that problems become defined and clarified over time; new problems
emerge and new solutions develop only through doing this process.
SOLVINGSUSTAINABLE
COMPLEX INTERRELATED PROBLEMS THROUGH DESIGN THINKING
DESIGN
FOR A CHANGING FUTURE
HOW TO BE A THOUGHTFUL AND THOROUGH DESIGNER
DESIGNSUSTAINABLE
FOR A CHANGING IS
THINKING DESIGN ACTIVE LEARNING
FUTURE
HOW TO APPROACH DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Learning to be a designer is a way of thinking; there is not set of rules and checklists.
The following chart begins to outline some important strategies to complete designs within studio courses and problem-based learning.
By doing these actions within design studio project assignments, the process of learning will be activated and, when integrated with the design process of drawing,
ideation and exploration, successful project submissions will follow.
It is scary and frustrating to start a design - Where to begin? What do I focus on - there are so many things I need to know … It is easy to sit there - paralysed by this
uncertainty … what do I do? Design education is considered relativistic - students and instructors work together to complete assignments with the student directing the
design development and the instructor providing feedback and direction. Research has shown this epistemological approach to be a more meaningful way of learning,
retaining information, and establishing productive behaviours, particularly within the design disciplines (Richardson, 2013; Chance, 2012; Bagolda, 1992; Mostert, 1986). There
is no right answer in design - no dualistic direction given by the instructor with a single response. The table on the next page has some good ideas to get started.
EXPLORE
FOR A CHANGING FUTURE - ACTIVE LEARNING THROUGH DESIGN
THE CHALLENGE
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
HOW TO APPROACH DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE DO NOT DO THIS DO THIS
CHALLENGE Makes brief readings and overlooks case study reviews and other research.
Embraces process as a means for generating new ideas and understanding site & design.
Does not have a folder of saved information and drawings to refer to.
Seeks to map a process and outline of work to achieve success.
Does not use a sketchbook to graphically develop ideas and make notes.
Integrates existing information, case studies, and research.
Believes there is only one correct answer and an authority will know this.
Has folders where they save information.
Thinks there is no context in design answers - that 1 answer will work Sees the instructor as providing correct context for exploration of knowledge.
everywhere.
AND COMMUNICATING Tries to provide answers they think the instructor wants to see.
Has a set of personal and career goals which are being met in the design project.
Works to receive and reproduce knowledge - not develop ideas. Seeks simplicity in their design. Ingegrates subjective and objective thought/
3 ASSESSING IDEAS AND Avoids doing iterative design - does one design once.
Uses iterative design and thinking as a means to learn.
Does not show awareness of their own design thinking or thought process.
Is aware of their behaviours and design thinking - improves where needed.
THINKING AND
Does not change behaviour even though it may not work for design learning.
Understands there is enjoyment within the design process and problem-based learning.
Shows little self-reflection or monitoring or action and behaviour. Develops internal standards which guides their learning.
Values the instructors ability to promote individual thinking and exchange of opinions.
Asks important questions to help them grow and learn as a designer and human.
Understands the role of the studio instructor is to help students evaluate various
perspectives and not give answers. The instructor is not responsible for your design
development, only for positive, productive and meaningful criticism.
Table 2 - Epistemological Development for Designers, GIPL; modified from Shannon Chance, 2012.
EXPLORE
FOR A CHANGING FUTURE - GENERATE SUSTAINABLE IDEAS
THE CHALLENGE
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, THE PROCESS OF DESIGN REQUIRES TRIAL & ERROR.
IT REQUIRES WORK THAT IS EXPLORATORY, WORK THAT IS DIVERGENT, WORK THAT IS NOT USED.
THE POSSIBILITY OF DESIGN
YOU MUST TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT: VARY YOUR DESIGN. DEVIATE. ANTI-CONCEPT.
EXPLORATORY DESIGN DOES NOT AIM TO PROVIDE THE FINAL FORMS AND ANSWERS TO THE
DESIGN, BUT MERELY EXPLORES THE DIFFERENT IDEAS WHICH COULD HAPPEN.
YOU ARE NOT SOLVING EVERY PROBLEM, BUT RATHER PICK A SINGLE ISSUE OR DESIGN AREA
AND EXPLORE, QUICKLY AND DIAGRAMMATICALLY SOMETIMES, WHAT COULD BE.
RESEARCH THROUGH
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN DESIGNING
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
THERE IS SATISFACTION TO BE FOUND IN THE DESIGN PROCESS.
THE DESIGN PROCESS HAPPENS DURING DINNER, DURING YOUR SLEEP, AND WHEN YOU LEAST
EXPECT IT. THE SATISFACTION COMES NOT IN THE FINAL DESIGN OR SOLUTION, BUT IN THE
JOURNEY THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEARCH FOR THE DESIGN SOLUTION.
PROBLEM SOLVING
SUSTAINABLE WITHIN DESIGN IS NOT A LINEAR PROCESS
DESIGN
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
THERE IS NO CORRECT ANSWER.
DESIGN TAKES TIME. DESIGN IS DISCOVERY.
THERE IS NO CORRECT ANSWER TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN AND YOUR STUDIO ASSIGNMENTS. BUT SOME ANSWERS
ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS - AND IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE DESIGN
ALTERNATIVES, YOU WILL NOT FIND THE BETTER DESIGN AND
SOLUTION TO THE SITES ISSUES.
DESIGNSUSTAINABLE
IS THE PROCESS
DESIGN OF DISCOVERY
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
DESIGN IS NOT FUN.
IT IS FRUSTRATING. IT IS TIME CONSUMING. IT IS CHALLENGING AND MESSY.
THIS IS A PERSONAL DIALOGUE YOU HAVE WITH YOUR DESIGN. YOU GO DOWN
ONE PATH FOR 10 MINUTES AND PERHAPS A BETTER IDEA COMES ABOUT AND YOU
START THAT. OR YOU GO DOWN A PATH BUT IT LEADS TO NOTHING - YOU DON’T LIKE IT OR
IT DOESN’T WORK. OR, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT DOESN’T WORK BETTER THAN
ANOTHER IDEA YOU HAVE CREATED.
DON’T FOCUS ON RESULTS. DESIGN HAS DETOURS AND DEAD ENDS. BUT THAT
IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T. NO ONE CAN KNOW
WITHOUT DOING THE PROCESS OF DESIGN.
DESIGNSUSTAINABLE
IS A CONTINUOUS
DESIGN STORY
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
WHERE DO DESIGN IDEAS COME FROM.
DESIGNSUSTAINABLE
IS THE PROCESS
DESIGN OF DISCOVERY
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN IS A SKILL THAT
CAN ONLY BE LEARNED BY DOING.
IT IS A PROCESS OF REFINEMENT OF SOLUTIONS AND IDEAS.
IT IS A PROCESS OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATION .
IT IS A PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING WHAT REALLY IS
THE DESIGN ISSUE.
DESIGNSUSTAINABLE
IS A HANDS-ON
DESIGN PROCESS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
THE LANGUAGE OF DESIGN IS VERY DIFFICULT.
THE WORDS AND CONCEPTS USED IN THE BOOKS AND WEBSITES AND BY THE INSTRUCTORS CAN
BE CONFUSING. THE DESIGN LANGUAGE IS UNIQUE AND OFTEN COMPLICATED.
BUT YOU NEED TO DEVELOP THIS LANGUAGE IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE AND GRADUATE.
DESIGNSUSTAINABLE
PROVIDES A MEANS TO BE AGENTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE
DESIGN
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
THE DESIGN PROCESS IS AN APPROACH FOR BREAKING DOWN A LARGE
PROJECT INTO MANAGEABLE CHUNKS. USE THIS PROCESS TO DEFINE THE
STEPS NEEDED TO TACKLE EACH PROJECT, AND REMEMBER TO HOLD TO ALL
OF YOUR IDEAS AND SKETCHES THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.
IT IS OFTEN HELPFUL TO TAKE IDEAS AND SKETCHED SOLUTIONS BACK THROUGH THE DESIGN
PROCESS TO REFINE AND CLARIFY THEM.
Chicago Architecture Center
ENTHUSIASTIC
DISCIPLINED
WILLINGNESS TO LEARN
CREATIVE
GOOD COMMUNICATOR THE
INSPIRED DESIGN
THICK-SKINNED PROCESS
EMPATHETIC
SELF-HONEST
CONSISTENT
LOGICAL
ABLE TO FAIL
CONFIDENT
STRONG WORK-ETHIC
Simon C. Page
SKILLS SUSTAINABLE
ARE LEARNED DESIGN AND PRACTICED
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
& PROCESS
ULTIMATELY, YOU SHOULD DESIGN WHAT FEELS GOOD TO YOU.
THE DESIGN PROCESS IS A CREATIVE PROCESS. IT IS A PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS.
IT IS AN EMOTIONAL PROCESS. IT IS YOUR PROCESS.
DESIGN THINKING FOCUSES ON IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM TO CREATE THE BEST POSSIBLE
FUNCTIONAL SOLUTION, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ALL THOSE SOLUTIONS BEGIN TO BLEND
TOGETHER? PEDESTRIAN FUNCTIONALITY AND ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONALITY AND HISTORICAL FORM
AND COST OR CONSTRUCTABILITY AND SEASONAL USES FUNCTIONALITY.
UNLIKE DESIGN THINKING, DESIGN FEELING EMPHASIZES DESIGNING BASED ON EMOTION AND
INTUITION, AS OPPOSED TO DESIGNING BASED ON THOUGHT, LOGIC, AND STRATEGY.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND HISTORY WHICH CAN BE BROUGHT INTO THE DESIGN
PROCESS AND IDEAS. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER YOU LIKED ABOUT A CERTAIN DESIGN YOU VISITED?
WAS THERE A SPECIAL LANDSCAPE YOU VISITED OR SAW - WHAT MADE IT SPECIAL TO YOU? THESE ARE
STARTING POINTS FOR INSPIRATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING WITHIN THE DESIGN PROCESS.
Gather data to start giving you inspiration. Who is this design for?
How have other designs addressed similar problems?
Gather data to start giving you inspiration. Who is this design for?
How have other designs addressed similar problems?
Notes: