Activity 0.3: Wild Design

In this assignment you will move through the stages of design in a single session lasting no more than an hour.

• You will need:
  • a timer(!)
  • a notebook or note-taking device
  • your base map
  • overlay tracing paper
  • scrap paper
  • scissors
  • colored pencils
  • tape

The goal of this assignment is to dive into the process of design without getting hung up on any particular step. Consider challenges that arise as well as the parts that feel easy and comfortable versus those that are more challenging. This will help you learn more about how you experience the design process. 

Read through all the instructions before beginning with part A.

A. Consider the People.

Spend no more than 10 minutes on this.  Keep your pen or typing moving  and do not stop to edit.

Answer the following questions in any written form such as an essay, in notes, outline or graphics.

1. Who are the people affected by your design site? 
2. What is their role in what happens on the site? 
3. What are their jobs, passions, hobbies?
4. What foods do they like to eat?
5. How do they currently interact with the site?
6. How will they potentially interact with the site.
7. What special considerations need to be made?
8. What other thoughts do you have about the people and your design?

B. Articulate Goals.

Spend no more than 5 minutes on this.

Complete the following task in any written form such as an essay, in notes, outline or graphics.

• Based on your thoughts about people's relationship to the site, articulate three to five goals for your design site.
  

C. Consider the Physical Site.

10 minutes... keep moving... do not edit.

Answer the following questions in any written form such as an essay, in notes, outline or graphics.

1. What is the story of your site's physical features?
2. What features make it unique?
3. What do you like about the site?
4. What annoys you about the site?
5. What are the biggest things you would like to change about the site?
6. How easy is it to walk, wheelbarrow, drive around the site?
7. What plants exist? What animals are there?
8. How does the site relate to the larger landscape?
9. What legal and economic structures impose limitations on the site?
10. What don't you know about your design site that you'd like to know?

D. Site Assessment Summary.

5 minutes

Complete the following task.

• Review physical site consideration then list and rank the 10 most important site factors that will affect your design decisions.

E. Random Assembly Design.

10 minutes.

Preparation: Take out your base map and place a clean sheet of tracing paper over the top of it. Cut a scrap paper into six small pieces sized aproximately ½  x 1 inch. Then start your timer and complete these tasks.

1. Brainstorm at least five to ten possible elements you desire in your site. Forget limitations of time, energy, skills, finances, etc and just come up with any or all possibilities. Some examples: herb spiral, salad garden, medicinal garden, chicken coop, small pond, sauna, corn/beans/squash garden, orchard, raised beds, root vegetables, etc
2. From your brainstorm list, select at least three, but no more than six for your shortlist. Put their names on the small pieces of paper. Arrange your shortlist elements on the tissue overlay above your basemap. Keep in mind how they relate to the environment and to each other.  Tape elements to the tracing paper.

6) Final Design.

15 minutes.

Preparation: Attach a new sheet of tissue over your basemap. Complete the following task.

• From your random assembly design created a visually appealing design concept map. Add explanations that would help sell your design plans to the people you considered in the first step. Keep it simple.

 

Complete your assignment by submitting for feedback and sharing your experience in the forum.