Inspiration images for our design

These are some emotions/ adjectives we are trying to focus on for each point.

The Supports: light, Dry, Ventilated, Uncluttered, un obstructed

The Roof Gardens: Lush, Rich, Abundant, Dense, Thick, Riotous, Tranquil

The Free Designing of the Ground Plan: Free, Independent, Unconstrained, Detached

The Horizontal Window: Knowledge, Brightness, Gleam, Brilliance, Glow, Awareness, Insight, Comprehension

Free Design of the Facade: Multi- Faceted, Free, Independent, Unconstrained, Detached

Experiments/Assumptions

Over winter break I have gotten in touch with several direct contacts. I have actually been allowed a part time position back at the job I was working at taking care of mentally challenged people in their group homes. It has really been nice to get back in touch doing this kind of work and it has helped me think of ideas for my degree project. Having all of these sources around, I am very confident that however my project ends up I will be happy with it.

Some things that I have assumed:

Assumption: People who have to work with or deal with mentally challenged people don't get to talk about it to others as often as they would like.

*experiment: Get direct contact with these people and ask them the following

Q. Is there anyone that you get to talk to about the struggles and strengths when taking care people?

Q. Would you like to have someone to talk to?

Q. What kind of person/people would you like to talk to?

Q. Would you like this interaction to be in public or more private?

Assumption: There are happy, exciting, and good feeling moments when doing this type of work.

*experiment: Ask the following:

Q. What makes these moments happy?

Q. What feelings do you get once a moment is experienced?

Q. Is it strong enough to relieve the stressful moments temporarily?

Q. Would you want a way to share these moments to help make others less stressful?

Assumption: People want a source to help them connect with others who have the same type of problems so they can have a sense of belonging.

These are the questions I want to ask myself and try to find answers to.

Q. What kind of mediums would be useful?

Q. How could you allow a more physical experience through something like a website?

Q. How can bonds be created?

Q. How does this experience really effect someone and last?

Plan of Action

1 yr.

It is very hard for me to think about where I will be in 1 yr. I know that I want to be working at a local design firm. I am not sure yet where that will be but I have a few places In mind. My first pick would probably be Hallmark. I enjoy making cards, and telling stories through my graphic design. This is why I feel I would like Hallmark. I have shown interest in them for quite awhile. I have a contact there and I plan to get in touch with them to look at my portfolio. I know that the competition there is high but I am going to keep faith. I am currently interning at Design Ranch and I feel I am getting a lot of useful experience there. I would hope to stay interning there for as long as I can. I am really learning the business side of how a design firm works, which is something students sometimes overlook. Other places I have looked into are C3, and The Nelson. I have interned at the Nelson and feel that I have made some very close connections there. They are a small group and may not always be hiring but if there was a position open I would most likely apply. I really enjoyed interning there. I have had a lot of experience and I am going to stay hopeful that it will pay off in landing me the best first job. :)

3 yr.

I hope to be at the same job I got right out of college. I want to stay in the same place for awhile to really gain experience and build my portfolio. I want to be living comfortably and start to focus on the things I never had time to do during school. I want to do more side projects such as sewing, crafts, ect. At this point in my life I am just enjoying everything I have worked hard for. I also have thought about opening my own business so I would maybe start to think harder about this and see what it is going to take if I go that route.

5yr.

By now I have been working for 5 yrs. and hopefully have been able to save up some money. The thought of having a savings account seems so far fetched. I want to be financially stable and stable in my career. If I do decide to open my own business I think I would do that around this time. Hopefully all the research I did 2 yrs before now will pay off. It is a big step so I am not sure if I will be ready for this, or if I will still want to be working for someone else. I really like the idea of security and risking that may cause me to not do the "my own business" route.