I was one of eight student designers chosen to work on this project in partnership with Microsoft. The brief challenged us to envision a Meta OS system that 'keeps citizens at its center and drives innovation for everyone'. How would we design an experience for a future state of more responsible, respectful technology?Could we design within a truly open and human-centered system? How is a Meta OS that respects people's time, agency, and attention created?
I was part of Team 1. My research included education methods from the Waldorf & Montessori schools, the advantages and disadvantages of technology in educational systems, and applying tech to refugee groups and more global educational systems.
How could we bring 'better' education to underprivileged communities. How could we skew the education these groups are being taught? Is that the real issue? Is education taught around the world really enabling students' futures and their overall wellness?
At the weekly check-ins with our advisors we were given feedback and were pushed to think about different perspectives and what possible outcomes could look like.
(My first concept focused on designing to broaden & improve access to education around the world to underprivileged communities and refugee groups in developing countries. The other two concepts were made by my other group members)
Our advisors challenged us to think about our title instead of Education & Wellness to "Education As Wellness." We decided to combine all our concepts and make a new presentation: our 2nd presentation- given at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington to Danielle, Tiffany, Microsoft Creative Director- Albert Shum and invitees!
Presenting at Microsoft was an experience on its own and tested our nerves! The main idea of this presentation was to explain how much we'd done thus far. Here are some highlights from our presentation that day:
"We must consider how our biases & assumptions shape systemic issues. It is important to examine spaces where we access information, and to find value in learning from missing histories, narratives, and ideas from different perspectives."
"Education As Wellness means to create better design & educational tools that can inform a wider audience across a range of socioeconomic scales. We want to make sure to move away from device-centered design."
"How might we open up passageways for intersectional identities, give access to diverse narratives & perspectives, and achieve overall wellness that is informed by meaningful learning?"
We were challenged to create a more interactive experience; one of my group members had the idea of "The Design Rehab" workshop. It is an open-source library of workshops, readings, and activities, that prioritize critical theory and intersectionality in design thinking to decolonize current design education.
"Future-Proofing Alternate realities" was the workshop we chose for the guests on presentation day. 'Liberating Structures' had two parts TRIZ & TROIKA: great for individuals to identify any challenges they are facing in their professional life: a design project, or in their personal life: working towards a healthy lifestyle.
We provided all guests with a hand-made notebook that they could use during the workshop and write feedback & comments for us at the end.
(Photos of the in-session workshop)
* * * The link to "The Design Rehab" website is: www.thedesignrehab.com * * *
As a team, encompassing all of our ideas, research, and concepts together, we provided a prospectus to all the project supervisors.
Prospectus found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mst7aZzVMOYCsedpVAZkaFX_TciQSORk/view
My personal roles in this project were: Researcher, Brand designer, Visual designer, Prototyper, Writer, Editor
This six week experience has changed my perspective of design. Being a Communication Designer has so many opportunity spaces I had never thought of before. Working alongside recent graduates in other design specialties has broadened my own spectrum and created spaces where great design has flourished. I am well aware that these opportunities to work with big name companies like Microsoft do not come often, nor do they get handed out to anyone. For this I am eternally grateful and proud of my accomplishment. "The Design Rehab" concept has also made me realize so many areas that need to be reconsidered in design processes and will definitely influence my future designs. Thank you to the Microsoft Team: Danielle McClune, Tiffany Chen and Albert Shum; Thank You Cameron Neat for creating this opportunity space and guiding us along the way; & Thank you to the fellows: Sandra, Kerem, May, Curtis, Deanna, Morgan and Julie- without you nothing would've been possible!
