Contextual research workshop
Mondays at our course were usually the starting point for weekly challenges, and on Monday, Bridget presented our group with a formidable task: plastics. This project delved into the multifaceted world of plastics, spanning topics ranging from sustainability to production. As a student with a penchant for research, the weight of this task loomed large. Adding to the challenge, we were expected to conduct the research collectively within a single day and present our discoveries to the entire class.
Our group, consisting of just four members, was the smallest among our class. We were entrusted with exploring alternative plastics, a topic that branched into two subcategories: "bio-plastics" and "other than plastics." Initially, we embarked on our research in isolation, with little communication or negotiation. I immersed myself in my laptop, seldom interacting with my group mates. Regrettably, this solitary approach paved the way for significant issues in the subsequent stages of our project.
Information poured in from diverse sources, including library resources, websites, and magazines. However, our research remained a disjointed jigsaw puzzle, lacking cohesion. It was only upon reconvening in the maker space that we grasped the gravity of our situation, but time had slipped away, rendering it too late for comprehensive corrections. Fortunately, my research materials were extensive, allowing me to piece together a coherent conclusion just in time for our presentation. To our surprise, it garnered positive feedback.
This experience served as a poignant reminder of my innate inclination towards independent work and my reluctance to embrace communication and collaboration. Despite recognizing the vital role that collaboration plays in the domains of design and art, I often find solace in solitude and harbor an aversion to group interactions. Consequently, I continually find myself ensnared in a cycle of solitary thinking.
While I have previously acknowledged my strengths and weaknesses through my design and work experiences, this particular project has prompted a deeper introspection into how I can refine and enhance my collaboration skills.
Briefing
Research topic
