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> B7 Crystallizing, designing & prototyping [Designing & Prototyping 1] | Project 6

[self-study | in KCTs | prototyping work | coaching session]

page navigation: Contents | Learning outcomes | Process | Deliverables | Readings |

Contents & objectives

In this phase the resulting (still fragile) project idea from the previous phase of presencing is concretized in a period of self study and cooperative work in the KCTs. In a first step the resulting project crystallizes into a more concrete form; i.e., the vision and the ideas behind this project are clarified and receive a more concrete shape by spelling out more details. The KCTs negotiate a joint vision which brings together the insights form the individual presencing processes. The KCT gathers around a joint project by creating a common intent which reflects what the members concretely want to do and realize in a prototyping project.

In a second step the KCT starts to prototype the concrete project: i.e., in the context of this course “prototyping” means that prototypes of concrete project plans or scenarios are developed—exploring the project/future by experimenting and developing concrete scenarios, etc. The KCTs should carefully explore and think about different techniques which can applied for creating their prototypes (e.g., story boards, mood boards, flow charts, physical models, role games, collage techniques, techniques from design, design thinking, etc.). The process of prototyping allows for fast-cycle learning by generating concrete models, and negotiating, evaluating, adapting, and improving them in a steady feedback-process/loop. The KCT does not necessarily have to reach an agreement on a single conclusive prototype in this phase.

Before consolidating the prototype a coaching session is offered in which the process of prototyping is supported. The KCTs should bring in their suggestions for prototypes (+ techniques for realizing them) to this coaching session. Try to bring in external input and feedback about your prototype and learn from these inputs for improving your prototype.

In a final step, the goal is to come up with a final prototype/scenario which is elaborated down to an operational level and to put into a presentation (use any format which fits your needs!).

See section below for the concrete process!

Learning outcomes

• Practicing the process of individual and collective formation/crystallizing of a concrete project
• Experiencing and practicing the processes involved in the activity of prototyping
• Negotiating in the process of prototyping
• Understanding, practicing, and ability to prototype a final project/scenario by using different materials and media
• Explore and make use of different techniques for realizing a prototype (e.g., story boards, mood boards, flow charts, physical models, role games, collage techniques, techniques from design, design thinking, etc.)
• Establish a deeper unity between members of the KCTs by having developed and found a shared understanding and vision of the project

Process

A Individual Crystallizing

• Individual crystallizing: let sink in the project idea from the previous phase of presencing and let it become more concrete

B Collective crystallizing

• Collective crystallizing: develop a concrete project and a joint vision in the KCTs
• Negotiate a joint vision which brings together the insights form the individual presencing processes
• Questions:
  • What is it that we want to do/prototype as a joint KCT-project?
  • What is our joint intent?

C Prototyping I: Explore prototyping scenarios

1. Prototyping: prototype and realize the project idea in the form of concrete scenarios and project plans. You do not have to reach an agreement on a single prototype in this phase.
2. Carefully explore and think about different techniques which can applied for creating their prototypes (e.g., story boards, mood boards, flow charts, physical models, role games, collage techniques, techniques from design, design thinking, etc.).
3. Try to bring in external input and feeback about your prototypes
4. Plan for a couple of prototyping sessions where you bring crazy ideas and materials
5. Prepare 1-4 (elaborated) sketches/suggestions for prototypes for the coaching session
   • choose any format which fits your needs best for the presentation

D Coaching Session

• KCTs are supported in the process of prototyping in a coaching session
• external input & feedback

E Prototyping II: Prepare the final prototype

• A (single) concrete prototype has to be chosen and developed
• KCTs should make use of a wide spectrum of different media and materials for realizing their prototypes (e.g., paper, plastic modeling material, card board, virtual media, video, drawings, simulations, board games, etc.)
• Plan for a couple of prototyping sessions where you bring crazy ideas and materials
• Try to gather and bring in external input and feedback about your prototype and learn from these inputs in order to improve your prototype
• Come up with a final prototype/scenario which is elaborated down to an operational level and put into a presentation (use any format which fits your needs!).

Deliverables [Project 6]

Put these deliverables in your WWW-project space

• Document the process of crystallizing and prototyping
• for coaching session: Written description of 1-4 prototypes + rough sketches of project plans
• for final presentation (for next unit):
  • prepare the prototype + a presentation illustrating the prototype and the results of your knowledge-creation work
  • prototype has to be elaborated down to an operational level and put into a presentation
  • use any (unorthodox) presentation format which fits your needs!
    • perhaps you think about user innovation techniques and make use of the creativity of your fellow colleagues in the final presentation process :-)
  • make use of a wide spectrum of different media and materials for realizing their prototypes (e.g., paper, plastic modeling material, card board, virtual media, video, drawings, simulations, board games, etc.)
  • shortly describe the path of how you came to this prototype
  • decide on responsibilities who is bringing which materials for the next unit (including laptop)

Readings

Brown, T. (2008). Design Thinking. Harvard Business Review 2008(June), 84–92.

Kelley, T. (2004). The art of innovation. Lessons in creativity from IDEO, America's leading design firm. London: Profile Books. (p103ff)

Laurel, B. (Ed.) (2003). Design research. Methods and perspectives. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Moggridge, B., J. Fulton Suri, and D. Bray (2007). People and prototypes. In B. Moggridge (Ed.), Designing interactions, pp. 641–735. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Scharmer, C.O. (2007). Theory U. Leading from the future as it emerges. The social technology of presencing. Cambridge, MA: Society for Organizational Learning.

Senge, P., C.O. Scharmer, J. Jaworski, and B.S. Flowers (2004). Presence. Human purpose and the field of the future. Cambridge, MA: Society for Organizational Learning.

Here are some links to videos giving examples for prototyping and a design oriented approach:

• Paper Prototyping (Video)
• Prototyping a bike cup holder (video 1 | video 2)
• Exploratory prototyping (Blog + Videos)
• Tim Brown (IDEO) on Prototyping and playfulness (TED Video)
• Tim Brown (IDEO) on Design Thinking (Blog)
• Design Education (Video)

last update: Sunday, 05-Dec-2010 00:10:37 CET | version 1.4	up
© M.F.Peschl	site navigation (courses): PhD-M: Phil. of Science (SE) Knowledge Lab (SE) B knowledge creation/pesencing units B0: Questions B1: Emergent Fields B2: Co-Initiating B3: Negotiating Observation B4: Deep Observation B5: Creating Collective Sense Organs B6: Presencing B7: Crystallizing & Prototyping B8: Creating New Realities B9: Reflection & Theory   Diretions to outdoor location TBA