Step by Step: Fluid Design 

Prerequisite:  Basic concepts of board cutting and data collection 

STEP 1


Step 1: Introduction to Project  & Introduction to Design Thinking
Initial hook: Design thinking examples, School design examples by students, and River Interaction Designs
Exploration Concept: Design Thinking, Data Collection, UX

  • Explanation of the goals of the project: designing an interpretative center to interact with the Bronx' River 
  • Introduction to the concept of design thinking, empathy, and data collection 
  • Brainstorming in groups of three which data should be gather. Design of the firs-round survey 
  • Explore, observe, and investigate the space. 

STEP 2

Step 2: Materials, Ideation and Define 
Exploration Concept: 3D Models, Problem Constrain Identification, Ideation, UX
Exploration Skills: 3D Model Material Manipulation

  • Design Thinking Ideation and Define phase introduction and exercise
  • Space questioning: Which shapes can we give to it? How can people interact with it?
  • Ideation
  • Model techniques, proportions and space possibilities 
  • Define

STEP 3

Step 3: Prototype
Exploration Concept: Prototype, UX
Exploration Skills: X-Acto Knife, Cutting Board, Foam Board Manipulation, Steel Wires

  • Introduction to prototype phase from design thinking
  • In teams of three build simple models with foam board, steel wires and foam sheets on the idea of a stage. 

STEP 4

Step 4: Evaluation and Iteration
Exploration Concept: Iteration, Test, UX 
Exploration Skill: Presentation
 
  • Introduction to Iteration and User Test
  • Define evaluation criteria 
  • Presentation of models 
  • Evaluate competing design proposals 
  • Choose one model per team to keep developing

STEP 5

Step 5: Water Properties and Water Environment
Exploration Concept:  Water's properties, Water's cycle, Water Pollution

  • Introduction to cycling of water through Earth's systems
  • Plan how the interpretative stage will promote an investigation of water and its effects on Earth materials and surfaces process. 
  • Investigate construction materials interaction with mechanical water behavior such as: erosion or frost wedging by the expansion of water as it freezes.
  • Understand water's chemical properties such as ph and its relation to oxidation. 
  • Ideate in teams to include water's properties and future water research into the interpretative stage.

STEP 6

Step 6: Vector Drawing and Laser Cutting 
Exploration Concept: Vector Drawing, Boolean Operations
Exploration Skill: Laser Cutting
  • Introduction to laser cutting, show examples
  • Introduction to inkscape
  • Introduction to Boolean Operation and Shape Composition
  • Design of models through inkscape and cut them into the laser cutter

STEP 7

Step 7: Bridging River and Model
Exploration Concept: UX, Vector Drawing
Exploration Skill: Laser Cutting, Data Collection

  • How is the river connected to the stage? From where can you see the water? With which material can you improve the model from the previous time? What will the user do in the stage? Where would they sit? 
  • How data will be collected and represented into the model?
  • Continue using the laser cutter to further create the model

STEP 8

Step 8:  Model Completion and Exhibit preparation 
Exploration Concept: Data Collection
Exploration Skill: Laser Cutting, Mock-up Building  

  • Completing the models and the drawing were made previously, to be prepared for the exhibition.
  • Justify how data will be collected in the model

STEP 9

Step 9:  Final Murals, Final Installation, Demonstrations, Presentation Preparation, & Final Presentations

  • Presentation of design thinking process, design choices, and final model