1) How do you as an artist/designer feel that systems thinking and mapping can help you in skillfully and creatively meet the challenges presented by the topics we have covered in class so far? (Sixth Extinction, Great Acceleration, Long Life Design and the Anthropocene).
The systems thinking provides alternative perspectives towards the problems that have not easily been recognized from the traditional thinking. Furthermore, such new ideas emerged from the systems thinking serve as clues for more insights and relations with the already existing factors. For example, without knowing the possibility of synergies and emergence between the two systems, one would not be able to recognize the outcome no matter how many times one analyzes each part. Also, the new outcome has the potential to form another interconnection from an unexpected area, which could cause novel effects or provide a feedback loop into the system. Considering how the topics covered in class are the issues that cannot simply be solved within a short period of time, consistently seeking for different ways to interpret the system would be crucial. While the traditional approaches that are proven to be effective should still be practiced, attempts to look for additional pathways would positively affect the overall process of solving the problem. Especially for the artists and designers, they are the ones who are capable of thinking outside the box; with the systems thinking, elements that the artists face daily could become the source of inspiration, which then could also influence other designers.
2) Start your research for your Systems Map/Model. Decide on your object and post a list of at least 20 systems you will include in your systems map.
Object: Sketchbook
Systems: education, drawing, hobby, writing materials, textures, transition, paper, technology, design, mathematics, food, emotion, economy, time, games, water, sculpture, TV, language, films, sight, sound, idea
Draw and post a rough sketch of your design plan. What media will you use (Illustrator, 3D model etc.)?
As of now, I am considering using my pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, and etc. to draw the map.
3) Post a works-in-process image of your kombucha leather. How is the project going? Do you see growth? Please note, if you don’t see growth, check out a heat mat from the Making Center or move your project to a warmer location.
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A layer formed at the top of the container, which is expected to be the natural kombucha leather. Since the growth is observed, the temperature seems to have been within the acceptable range without the heat mat. There has not been much difference in the past few days, so I am considering taking the leather out to finish the project soon.
4) Choose your location and conduct your first FNBK observation (documentation will be due 3/7).
The location of my FNBK observation is the rooftop of my apartment.
