Twig Project: design issues

While working on our twig projects, we have discussed both general issues in design and issues specifically related to our projects. Often these two categories go hand in hand.

The design process requires one to be active and engaged with a playful yet serious demeanor. The primary activity in design is thinking, which includes thinking of ideas, concepts and strategies, which must then be imaged, presented, and tested.

Our twig project requires that we look at the relationship of our twigs to each other. We must make something to house our specific 12 twigs, not just any 12 twigs. We were told to think about the ways that things combine and consider the divisors of 12. We were also told that a good project has a binding agent that is part of the project, integrated into the design, not just used to hold things together.

In viewing each other's twig models a number of issues seemed to come up again and again. The first issue has to do with focus. A focused project is one without too much going on (variety reduction), where it is clear what the designer is trying to show or emphasize. The second main issue involves using strategic thinking, having meaning behind every decision made in the design. This does not mean everything is planned. Design “accidents” often yields the best ideas. However, in the end everything must be considered and make sense. A final issue concerns craftsmanship. In the end, much of our design decisions must be made in consideration to craftsmanship. Our visualizations must actually be produced, and they must be produced well. If this can’t be done, then the design must be reevaluated.