Reflecting On My Work

  1. What learning/ learning topic or learning process did you find yourself using throughout the semester?

Some of the most useful learning processes I found myself using this semester were finding sources for my research (Bridge Three) and working on an annotated bibliography.

 

2. Where did you use it (in life, in class, in other classes)?

Although I’m not unfamiliar with finding sources for an essay, this was my first time consulting a librarian when doing so and it definitely made the whole process a lot easier (in the case of my Integrative Seminar 2 extended research paper). As for the annotated bibliography (also for Seminar), it was my first time writing one and I found that it helped when it came to writing my outline and sorting out my sources.

 

3. What learning did you make about systems or strategies (in society, in making, in research, etc.) do you want to bring into your future semesters, dig into deeper, or explore with other people?

The previously mentioned research strategies I learned will most certainly be brought into my future semesters. Additionally, having learned to start thinking about systems and strategies in general, I plan to make more of an effort to recognize the different systems and strategies around me and learn how to work with them.

 

4. What is one ah-ha that you had? What did you learn?

Discovering the term “biophilia” and “biophilic design” was my ah-ha moment of the year. Working on my portfolio back in highschool, I always knew I wanted to focus on the idea that certain aspects of interior design can improve our mental health, but I had no research to back up this claim or even really knew anything about the topic. It left me feeling stumped, like my ideas weren’t going anywhere. After consulting a librarian and discovering biophilia and biophilic design, I knew it was what I had been searching for, and I feel that I’m now headed places. I look forward to continuing my research as I search other ways designers can improve mental health.

 

5. Select two highlights from your first year. These highlights might consist of major projects or papers. A highlight could also be a productive class debate, a journal entry, a materials experiment, an illuminating course trip, or a new skill. This is a deep look at your work.

Two highlights from this year were my Fantasy Funeral project from Integrative Studio / Seminar 1 and the biophilic design research essay I wrote in Integrative Seminar 2.

5a. Planning: Show your preparatory steps for both highlights. What initiated these? How did you plan for the different steps? How would you prepare differently next time?

For my Fantasy Funeral project, I prepared by doing some light research, sketching out ideas, gathering materials, and watching demos in order to learn new skills. For my biophilic design research essay, I prepared by coming up with a list of general topics in interested in, picking one, writing a thesis, revising it, and meeting with a librarian to help me find sources (before eventually writing an annotated bibliography and an outline). In both of these cases I planned for my preparatory steps by writing out to do lists and managing my time. Although my time management skills can always be improved, I was happy with my outcomes for both projects and most likely won’t be doing anything differently to prepare next time.

5b. Outcome: Show what was explored/ made/ written/ researched. Write a clear description of each item. Add media components (images, galleries, video, excerpts, etc.).

Fantasy Funeral Writing

For this project, I was asked to create my own “fantasy funeral”. Shown in the images above are my death mask, urn, and “grave goods” (which are really just items intended to be placed next to my urn on a mantel). Although it was all a bit morbid, I was also asked to write an obituary and in writing that I was able to plan out the way I want my life to go – which was interesting and actually fun to imagine. For a more in depth look as to why I chose to use the materials that I did for this assignment, I’ve attached a PDF titled “Fantasy Funeral Writing” that covers my thought process.

Biophilic Essay Final

Shown in the images above are the first two pages of my biophilic design research paper. The thesis was “Biophilic design – a way of designing spaces that incorporates nature – holds the potential to increase productivity and alleviate mental health issues for people in their everyday spaces. It is something that could be consciously utilized to reduce people’s anxiety and depression in healthcare facilities, offices, schools, and more. By looking at case studies, scientific evidence and scholarly research, it is clear that this correlation between nature and our mental health exists and that design should be moving in this direction in order for people to thrive and function at their best.” Attached above is also a PDF of this essay.

5c. Thinking: Show your thought process. What do these two highlights represent? Why are they important to your learning? What is most successful or interesting about this work?

Both of these highlights were from the two studio/seminar classes I took. I felt that they were the biggest projects I did this year and involved the most planning. One impacted me in how it forced me to seriously consider things I never had to think about before (the Fantasy Funeral project) while the other impacted me in how it allowed me to sit down and research a topic I’ve always been interested in (which ended up inspiring various projects in the other classes I took my second semester).

 

6. If you could tell future students anything from what you learned during this year, what would it be? (Not just in this class – but overall in life about first year at college.)

Although there are many, many things I would want to tell future students, there are a few that immediately come to mind. One is that the certain teachers you have are what really make your experience here at Parsons – it is always a good idea to get as much information as you possibly can before choosing your classes. Some teaching styles work for some people, and some don’t. I personally got lucky, but I know others who didn’t. Another is that as hard as it can be sometimes, one should always focus on and prioritize their mental and physical health (going to bed at a reasonable time during those stressful periods, having three meals a day, making sure to always get at least a little bit of fresh air and sunlight, etc.). Another is that you should feel comfortable knowing that you WILL find your people – even if it’s later in the school year. Lastly, although times get busy, people should make sure to never lose touch with their families and friends from back home (assuming they live far away).

 

7. Write a conclusion that looks toward future interests, questions, and courses. This is where you’re heading.

7a. What new questions do you want to pursue in the future?

I want to continue focusing on mental health, finding new ways for designers to make improvements in that area.

7b. How might one project generate another?

Seeing as I’ll start taking interior design courses next semester, I feel that my biophilic wallpaper designs from Integrative Studio 2 will push me to want to design other related things for interiors.

7c. What new skills/techniques do you want to learn?

I want to work on my textile skills seeing as I only know the basics. Having printed my biophilic wallpaper designs from Studio onto fabric was fun.

 

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