Reflection per competency area

On this page you can see an very superficial overview of my competency growth based on the competency areas. This overview can be compared with the former Self Evaluation. For more detailed information I invite you to read the individual pages as listed in the Overview of B2.2 or to click on the corresponding hyperlinks.

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1: Ideas & Concepts

The assignment Ideas and Concepts: Starting from Scratch increased my idea generation skills by showing different creative methods. The assignment provided me different research ideas, techniques and processes in order to come up with more successful concepts for newly found opportunities and also showed me ways of how to record and present the results. Furthermore it showed me how to approach different stages of the design process to bring abstract thinking into a physical context.

During the Project Supporting Sportsmanschip I became aware that the co-reflection method is very useful to determine the user in its context (like what are the values?), to determine possible improvements addressed by the user and finally to judge possible concepts by guiding the questioner in an objective way.

In the assignment Assignment DG614 – Context and Video I became aware that video is a powerful research and communication media to spot and explain the design opportunity clearly and provides foundation for assumptions.

2: Integrating Technology

During the project I was involved creating an interactive prototype, which included programming a Ping Pong game in Flash and using input from the mouse and distance sensors. Furthermore I extended my tools for creating interactive prototypes by using the Wii-mote. What’s more during this project I learned how to use different methods in Flash to exchange data and how to program artificial intelligence using intelligent algorithms (in action script 2.0). This enables me to design adaptive Flash creations using programmed intelligence.

3: User Focus & Perspective

Within the project I learned what pitfalls can occur during user testing. Extended checking in advance including post-data-analysing, contacting multiple experts and recording user test on video might prevent me from doing it wrong again. In addition I can conclude we had to contact multiple experts before and after performing the user test. Contacting a single expert does not automatically mean that the approach is correct in every perspective.

During the Assignment DG614 – Context and Video I became aware how powerful video could be as a research tool, for capturing the user in its context and to come up with objective observations. In this way I can check assumptions about the user and spot possible design opportunities. I learned that experiencing context is based on observation, participation and conversation. In the end I learned how to observe activities manifested in contexts and how video can be used to capture and communicate my observations.

4: Socio-Cultural Awareness

One of my goals was to attend for the Assignment DG406 – Intercultural Design cause of a lack of competency development in area 4. During this assignment we discussed topics like power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and ‘virtue vs. truth’. These topics provided reasoning behind cultural differences. I’m now able to define and understand my own and other cultural backgrounds. Every nation or (sub-) culture is different based on their norms & values, determined by the levels of topics mentioned before. This assignment provided me tools how to analyze and communicate towards other cultural frameworks. In the end this assignment opened up my eyes for other cultures. When visiting Sweden concerning my internship it is important to take this in mind.

5: Designing Business Processes

One of my goals for this semester was to attend for the assignment Assignment DG502 – Analysing and Modelling NPD: Medical System, because I had a lack of this competency area. This assignment gave me structure how determine the success or failure of a product by analyzing the different phases of a new product development processes. During this assignment I learned several new product development modelling and improvement tools. This assignment contributes to a better understanding of the role of different functional disciplines within the new product development process, the complex relations between them and the required information flows. Together with the Assignment DG406 – Intercultural Design, I became aware that doing business with people in other countries is not only about money, but also about knowing and respecting your business area and partners. Furthermore in my Extra curricular B2.2 I became aware it is important to include common benefits (for the society for instance) when presenting a concept to business partners. Therefore I have to do extended research about what common costs this concept might save, based on reliable resources.

6: Form & Senses

During the project I took responsibility for the project report, because one of my goals was to become more experienced with Adobe’s InDesign. I became aware that InDesign is a very powerful tool to create professional papers without restricting my creativity. During this semester I also attended for an Illustrator workshop and made contributions to the posters for the exhibition. I’m now more experienced with Illustrator. It enables me to create high quality poster, flyers or leaflets. However I should keep practicing using both applications to become more experienced with them.

Within the Assignment DG108 – Ideas and Concepts: Starting from Scratch I  learned that it can be useful to write a scenario to illustrate the concept better. In the end I became aware that a stop-motion movie including a scenario is very powerful tool to illustrate the concept without spending a lot of time on movie-editing.

What’s more I upgraded my 3D CAD skills with Maxwell during the Assignment DG406 – Intercultural Design. This enables me to use realistic materials so I can create photorealistic renders of designs.

During the Assignment DG614 – Context and Video I learned how to use video as a potent communication tool and I increased my video-capturing skills. Moreover I increased my video-editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro. Video is a powerful research and communication media to spot and explain the design opportunity clearly and provides foundation for assumptions.

A: Multidisciplinary Teamwork & Communication

During the Supporting Sportsmanschip project I became aware it is important to contact multiple (at least 3) experts to discuss an  important activity. Contacting a single expert does not automatically mean that the approach is correct in every perspective. Furthermore I learned that as designer I have to make my own decisions about what to do next; I can make use of an expert in order to assist me and gather information. But it should not be the other way around. I learned that every coach and expert has different expectations of me (research vs. design) and it is up to me how far I should adapt myself into it. I should hold on to my vision and identity as designer. In addition it is very important to make sure I understand everything while talking with an expert. An expert can give me a boost what to do; but without knowing what, how and why performing the next step, I’m lacking of an academically approach. I also learned it is better to use physical representations of my designs rather than using posters at exhibitions.

Within the assignment Assignment DG406 – Intercultural Design I became aware that as a designer it is important to deal with and design for different (sub-) cultures. By understanding the cultural background of my teammates or business partners it is easier to cooperate.

Presenting at the ID Colloquium and business partners in Extra curricular B2.2 increased my presentation skills and professional conduct.

B: Design & Research Processes

Due to the Supporting Sportsmanschip project I changed my vision and became aware it is very important to come up with academically foundations for my designs. Nevertheless I should take in mind that this requires a lot of time too. Evolving from a first years student towards my FBP I see that reasoning becomes more important in the design process. In real life as a designer I should also outsourcing tasks when I’m not able to do it myself. In the end I can conclude that another contradiction between performing our tasks ourselves and outsourcing them would have been better for this project.

C: Self-directed & Continuous Learning

During the Project Supporting Sportsmanschip I became aware that the co-reflection method is very useful to reflected upon myself by interviewing myself and to come up with improvements in an objective way. Furthermore I learned it is important to do regular reflections to judge the project progression. I also became aware that I have to really engaged into a the research process, even when there is no way out. By finding appropriate solutions for complications myself I’m able to become more independent and  structured as a designer.

During this semester I made use of this website to update my reflection instantly. This website replaced my diary, every time I completed an assignment of learning activity I updated the website. This forces me keep busy with my reflection and showcase. On the other hand my coach was able to see my progress and give feedback instantly. In the future I will make use of this blogging-like method to reflect apon myself.

D: Analyzing Complexity

During the Project Supporting Sportsmanschip I became aware of several tools to analyze data on their quality. The mean and median can get me started to filter useless data. Furthermore I became aware of powerful tools like the Russell’s Circumplex Model, Neural Network Analysis and Neural Gas Network to qualify the data. I also learned that it can be useful to plot data in a graph by using Mathlab.  What’s more I learned that it is important to keep aware of what I’m doing with the data and what kind of data I’m talking about, especially with experts. Otherwise might get useless data, which is a waste of time for both parties. Furthermore I learned to program artificial intelligence by analyzing data from Phidgets and mouse movements and to use adaptive algorithms, as described in ‘integrating technology’.

During the Assignment DG502 – Analysing and Modelling NPD: Medical Systems I learned several new product development modelling and improvement tools. This assignment contributes to a better understanding of the role of different functional disciplines within the new product development process, the complex relations between them and the required information flows.