SELF-DIRECTED AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING
Activities:
Self-Directed learning is for me the most important competency. In my previous education there was not so much freedom in choosing your program and project direction as there is at Industrial Design. Sometimes you are spending more time on reflecting than on actually doing something, but I like the way of learning and freedom, because I can define my own project-boundaries which makes the work I do more of my own and not something that I have to do for someone else.
With the help of my study advisor I have worked on my day planning. This way of planning made it possible to study more effectively and have the necessary relaxation next to the rowing in the evening.
Apps on Wheels - project
COMPETENCIES
IDEAS AND CONCEPTS
Ideas and Concepts is an area I am more comfortable with. During my previous studies I learned a lot about the process of generating ideas, picking the best ones and turn them into useful concepts.
This semester I learned that a design case, even though presented by the client, can change significantly once you have talked to the user. During the User Experience module, it was very useful to involve the end users in the process of ideation.
Activities:
DQI theory - module
USER FOCUS AND PERSPECTIVE
User Focus and Perspective was developed within my project and the module The User Experience. Especially the workshop Co-constructing stories, during the module are contributing to my knowledge about the role of the user in the design process. The module consisted of a theoretical and a practical part. This was very motivating to put the theory in practice. I am used to think about user experience in a very detailed manner. More an interaction focussed view on how a product feels, looks, sounds. I was never taught about the user experience as an overarching factor in the design process.
Activities:
Apps on Wheels - project
DQI theory - module
SOCIO-CULTURAL AWARENESS
Socio-Cultural Awareness was developed during my project. How do people think about automated vehicles? It was very interesting to see the different opinions on the scenarios. The behavior of drivers and automated vehicles has got influence on how people experience traffic. This experience influences how people feel in society. During the module The User Experience I have been in contact with the end users. This has made me aware of their daily struggles and motivations.
Activities:
Apps on Wheels - project
DQI theory - module
DESIGN AND RESEARCH PROCESSES
Design and Research Processes was developed during my project and the module The User Experience. A research project is for a large part thinking about what research method is best for the project. The co-constructing stories workshop during the module is about involving the user in the design process. I find it useful to involve the user in the early stages of the project. This workshop helped me to develop Design and Research Processes and enables me to put theory in to practice in future projects.
Activities:
Apps on Wheels - project
DQI theory - module
The User Experience - module
TEAMWORK
Teamwork was very much developed. In the module User Experience we worked in teams of three people. It reminded me that I really like to work in teams. The module DQI theory, was not with fixed teams, but a lot of discussion and working together with the whole group. This is more difficult, to get everyone in the same direction. To work in such a large group of 25 people was a new experience for me. I learned that you have to stand stronger, as an individual, than in smaller teams.
Activities:
DQI theory - module
The User Experience - module
COMMUNICATION
Communication is mostly developed within the module The User Experience. We had to communicate with the client the end users and the lecturers. This was not so easy, because you have to imagine the the point of view from the party you communicate to. All the parties in this module had a different point of view about the project. This meant adjusting the story for each listener. Also they communication the other way around was useful. I have learned to listen to the opinion of each party, before taking conclusions.
Activities:
Apps on Wheels - project
DQI theory - module
The User Experience - module