my strengths as a designer...

my strength as a designer is in designing for the specific user group of the space. i strive to take a variety of elements into account and really design the space to suit their needs. in all that i do, i create an environment that is inviting and draws people into the space. i stay true to my concept and use that central idea to drive subsequent design decisions. the result is a cohesive environment that is tailored to the users.

what does design thinking mean to you?

for me, design thinking is about considering all factors related to a project, beyond the obvious. when we design spaces, we have to account for many factors that can affect the way the spaces is experienced. it means thinking outside the box to solve problems in new ways. we have to think big and think about how our design affects others and future designs. the way i am incorporating this into current and future projects is by embracing the creative process and all the trials and errors that are necessary to arrive at a successful design. nothing is perfect on the first try. but when we consider precedents, unexpected inspiration, as well as our needs as humans, it is easier to develop a successful design. this is my intention with unity village and any future projects. i have learned that all ideas are valuable, even the ones that seem farfetched. sometimes these are the ones that work the best.

[us] my sister's house

monday was the unveiling of my sister's house, which urban studio has been working on for the past year. it was inspiring to see a real project that was designed, constructed, and finished by iarc students. the space was minimalistic without feeling sparse. it was easy for me to imagine what the bedrooms would look like with the residents' belongings. hopefully this will make the space seem less harsh. overall, i appreciate all the hard work adn dedication it took to finish the house. i hope to have the opportunity to work on a similar project in the near future.

neighborhoods + communities : reading response

The reading on neighborhoods and communities gave me new insight into the process behind building communities. Zoning and variances are put into place to keep the identity of the community in tact. While these regulations are primarily concerned with the visual aspects of community, I also appreciated the psychological aspect of how a community is defined. It is basic psychology that everyone, but especially children, models those around them. The theories mentioned about how members of neighbors influence each other caused me to consider my own neighborhood and the impact it has had on me. I recognize that based on the actions of children older than me, education and sports were important. Every child went to school regularly and eventually attended college. And every child was active in some way, whether through organized sports or free play in the neighborhood. The legislative and psychological ideas discussed in the reading relate to my own neighborhood in some way. As part one of the first minority families in my neighborhood, I have watched the community become more diverse as the city of Charlotte has grown and the suburbs where I live have become more developed. I find it interesting that these two events coincide with one another. Contrary to the common implications of an increase in minorities, property values in my neighborhood have actually gone up in the time I have lived there. I think this is important because it contradicts the trend of gentrification noted in the reading (p. 132). However, the reading was valuable in that it prompted me to analyze elements of my own neighborhood (i.e. the Homeowner’s Association) with a deeper understanding.

think about it...

designers have to be aware of a variety of factors. we affect how people use a space, how they feel in it, how they interact with it... we have to be ware of the people and the environment. projects like this and others bring awareness to others of exactly what we do. we have to work with what we're given, but create a sense of place. having a sense of place / comfort / security is fundamental for human beings in any situation. with the disaster in haiti, those people still need to feel that sense of place even in the midst of a catastrophe. projects like this bring awareness to the importance of providing aid to help restore that comfort and well-being.

makeshift shelter : experience

today is unseasonably warm for a winter in greensboro. it is sixty degrees, the sun is shining, and the campus is full of life. it is the perfect day to relax and escape the stresses of school and work. sitting here, i become more aware of all the activity surrounding me. the tree whose leaves wave in the gentle breeze. the student running to avoid being late. the couple tucked away under a tree trying to salvage what little privacy they have. each direction yields something new, both inside and outside this cozy space. as energy and inspiration flow through me, i can't wait to record the world around me. with a blank sketchbook in hand, i pick up the pen not knowing where to lay the first stroke. vibrant colors, patterns, textures, people surround me, vying for my attention. all fighting to be the subject of my artistic expression. the thought energizes yet soothes me because i am in control. the possibilities are endless.

blue group!!

new year, new studio. our first project of 2010 is to design a makeshift shelter for sketching using only found objects. my group members are paris, hope, david, and pamela. while i am excited about the project, i am also aware that this will present many challenges. the fact that all materials must be found is the biggest. since we have no idea what materials are available, my group has decided to begin collecting materials before working on the design itself. hopefully after seeing the materials we will have a better grasp of what can and cannot be done.