User & Society
This expertise area is almost present in all of my design activities because a societal focus is at the core of my vision. When researching the future of food (CDR), my peers and I went to the streets to empathise with people’s sentiment. Along the same lines, in a project for the youth care field (M1.1) I practiced listening to stakeholder needs. Furthermore, user testing has always been a significant part of my projects (M1.1, M1.2, M2.1).
An opportunity for further development is to immerse myself deeper in others’ positions. Up until now I only learned the basics of ethnography (DfSI). I believe this method will be a powerful addition to my toolbox when I practice it more thoroughly.
Relevant courses / projects
Constructive Design Research (CDR)
Design for Social Innovation (DfSI)
Researching the Future Everyday (RtFE)
Design for Behavioural Change (DfBC)
Group project Kickstart Trust between Organisations (M1.1)
Research Project Democratised Future Visioning (M1.2)
Preparation Project Creative Futuring for Organisations (M2.1)
Business & Entrepreneurship
Like stated in my professional identity, I have developed an entrepreneurial mindset to involve stakeholders because societal change can be best managed when different perspectives are combined. The skills needed for stakeholder management are valuable for my skillset.
In my projects I have applied business strategies mainly for the purpose of stakeholder research and framing (M1.2, M2.1). I found the canvases useful to contextualise and communicate. While working on a case for a course (DE), I also practiced using strategies for a startup. Still, I notice that I have a knowledge gap in how businesses operate. I could develop more understanding by gaining experience in the real world about how to bring a design to the market and how to scale production for example.
Relevant courses / projects
Design Entrepreneurship (DE)
Group project Kickstart Trust between Organisations (M1.1)
Research Project Democratised Future Visioning (M1.2)
Preparation Project Creative Futuring for Organisations (M2.1)
Creativity & Aesthetics
My level of development in this expertise area has increased through various design activities. Since I tend to struggle with ideation, I have explored several methods like SCAMPER or the Wall of Ideas (M1.1, M2.1, DfSI). I discovered that I work best when I can build onto others or create a starting point from existing designs.
As a designer I developed an eye for detail and colour, and I like to present my designs well (M1.1, M1.2, M2.1). My learning curve was steep when I took a deep dive in material properties (IM). I learned how to manipulate the look and feel of materials, allowing for a surprising interaction. I could explore this skill further by choosing a material-based approach from the start, since I often design tangible tools.
Relevant courses / projects
Design for Social Innovation (DfSI)
Interactive Materiality (IM)
Group project Kickstart Trust between Organisations (M1.1)
Research Project Democratised Future Visioning (M1.2)
Preparation Project Creative Futuring for Organisations (M2.1)
Technology & Realisation
A new technique I experimented with to realise prototypes is laser cutting (M1.1, M1.2, M2.1). It asks for utmost precision in calculating dimensions and puzzling to fit parts together with the least material waste. From lab experts I learned the importance of making test cuts because materials react differently to the laser.
Apart from high end production, I engaged in low fidelity prototyping to practice making in general (MoT). The activities varied from scaling to upcycling. Group members introduced me to actuating materials with electronics like an electromagnet (IM). I could advance this skill by training more technological prototyping. In addition, I would like to develop 3D printing skills because it allows for different shapes than laser cutting while still being precise.
Relevant courses / projects
Matter of Transformation (MoT)
Interactive Materiality (IM)
Group project Kickstart Trust between Organisations (M1.1)
Research Project Democratised Future Visioning (M1.2)
Preparation Project Creative Futuring for Organisations (M2.1)
Math, Data & Computing
Within this expertise area I have mostly developed in data gathering, management, analysis and visualisation (M1.1, M1.2, M2.1, CDR). I found out I prefer a mixed methods approach because I believe quantitative and qualitative data are complementary; together they can tell a more complete story. My aim is always to handle data ethically and responsibly.
I am aware that data comes with implications, like false representation or interpretation. I explored this explicitly when making a children’s book from the future which encourages reflection on digital twins (RtFE). I should remain critical of my own biases, especially when performing extensive thematic analyses which is one of my recurring approaches. I could broaden my data analysis skills by exploring other methods like narrative analysis as well.
Relevant courses / projects
Constructive Design Research (CDR)
Researching the Future Everyday (RtFE)
Group project Kickstart Trust between Organisations (M1.1)
Research Project Democratised Future Visioning (M1.2)
Preparation Project Creative Futuring for Organisations (M2.1)
Conclusion
In my overall competence development the two expertise areas I focused on most were User & Society, which is always the context of my projects, and Business & Entrepreneurship, since it conveys my ways of working. Creativity & Aesthetics and Technology & Realisation are closely intertwined and essential to test my designs in the field. Math, Data & Computing is relevant in the validation phase of the project process.