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Week 6: Fictions and Futures

Our 90 second video on Sustainability and Climate Change

An overarching theme in class thus far is that we are designers that are communicating with purpose. All elements of design are combined to inform in one way or another a specific message. Moreover, the progress made so far has been on exploring tools as well as new ways of thinking about current and future challenges and opportunities. This week our team presented a 90 second video on Sustainability and Climate Change. We used a traditional PowerPoint and a central message that focused on inviting Aucklanders towards a better future by exploring Auckland Councils’ project, the Auckland Plan 2050.

The creation process was easier with the use of messenger to call and communicate within our team. Arguably, I think it would have been more effective than in person meetings because it was okay not to have all the answers upon arrival but instead, we could zone in and out, pressing play and pause in ways that were convenient. However, I think we could have done with one in-person meeting to brainstorm and delegate tasks more effectively as well as to clarify intention, styles and so forth. Overall, I am happy that we completed the task, that it was visually appealing in some respects, we ultimately conveyed our intended message and also received feedback for improvement.

At this moment we are in Lockdown Level Four and thus required to work on our next project from home. Personally, I would like to improve my project management skills using Trello as well as communicate better within my team in ways that inspire both collaboration and accountability.

 Introduction to Speculative Design

Today’s online class was based on speculative design which is, to be simple, about manifesting possibilities. Much like the idea of The Future Mundane, futures thinking and systems thinking it is about diving into realms of possibilities in ways that feel real and compelling.

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Week 5: Visualising Information (Part Three)

Expression: communicating with the intention to have a meaningful impact.

This Human; How to Be The Person Designing for Other People by author,  Melis Senova (2017) explores the realms of effective communication. The intentional communication framework is important to understand what to communicate and to who in order to ensure that the right message is conveyed to the right audience. There are three types of audiences here, leaders to inform decisions, collaborators to align with for specific contributions and the action team to inspire, connect and keep accountable for making change a reality. Ultimately, communication is a two-way effort, however, intention steers the gap between friends and foes.

 My Personal Reflection

Based on the in-class activity I decided to make my own graphical representation of the places that I have lived over the 21 years of my life and how long I’ve lived there for. As shown in the graph below it is clear that I have lived in Gisborne for the longest time, then Hastings and for the most part of my stay in Auckland I have lived in Manurewa. But more importantly, this graph conveys this information in way that feel seamless for the eye, simply based on the selection of colors, style and labels. I’ve noticed that data visualisation is equally about creating enjoyable experiences.

  Show your visualisation experimentation/development: document your contribution to the project.

References

Senova, M. (2017). This Human: How to Be the Person Designing for Other People. Laurence King Publishing.

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Week 4: Storytelling with Data (part two)

What is Futures Thinking and why is it important?

In the week three and four course readings we learn about future thinking as one of many forms of conceptualising the pool of probable, plausible, and possible futures. The idea is to get an honest grip on what society should prepare for and to evoke everyone to move towards a better future. It is important to note here that this way of thinking reveals the consequences of the decisions we’ve made in the past and those that we make today. This includes both the challenges and opportunities but also factors in the inconspicuous wildcard.

Find good examples of information visualisation: what makes them effective?

Illustrative Map: I followed Tom Wooley’s tutorial on how to design and illustrate a map in 8 simple steps to portray my neighbourhood. It’s effective in terms of being able to convey particular information about a place in visually engaging ways. For me, it is a personal way to share all of my favourite spots in my area to reflect on and share with others. I’m inexperienced in using design tools so will need to spend time on learning how to use things like Adobe Illustrator as well as comparable tools and then to follow through with Wooley’s process.

Infographic: Infographics make it easy for people to overview a topic. It combines visual graphs and simple language cues to share what can be large and complex amounts of information but into a more digestible and engaging format. The 5 steps for brainstorming and creating infographics that I learnt are as follows: 1) outline the goals of the infographic, 2) collect data, 3) choose how best to visualise the data with a template 4) layout the information, 5) add style and personal touch.

Storyboarding: Airbnb is an awesome example of a firm that uses already established systems and changes them into something better – to serve a wider purpose. In order to share this idea with others they used storyboarding. It’s an effective way to convey the before and after’s of an experience; the latter being the more desired based on the perspective of a focus subject. The idea is to unite the audience on one vision and to pinpoint more intentionally the kinds of desired experiences that the focus subject could have. The creation process involves empathising, iteration, refining, simplifying, and beautifying. There’s one person that matters here but it’s the creators job to get everyone sold on the destination and rowing together as one.

Visual Essays: How You Play Spades is How You Play Life was a compelling title that alluded to the unique yet specific topic. In contrast to infographics this form of visual communication is to take readers on a journey. I enjoyed the experience flicking through the information which was presented on playing cards. Ingenious.

Storytelling Tools: Creating timelines, story maps, soundcites or juxtaposes by Knightlab are easy-to-use tools to tell a better story. I tried making a timeline for our Auckland 2050 Plan project in class and it worked! Next, I want to use juxtapose to compare images, storymaps to convey a strong location narrative and soundcite to read aloud information on our website.

What might be a rule of thumb to understand and what are your key takeaways?

Note that the time and attention of readers are limited. Avoid information overload, moreover, the most engaging videos evoke and answer the questions of the mind so that it makes sense. It is important to consider and speak to the level of understanding of the intended audiences. The most important functions to have in a storyboard are clarity, honesty, and a compelling story. Ask and answer questions. Your job is to show and not tell; let others make the connection. As you refine your script ask yourself what absolutely needs to stay in order to support the story and then get rid of the rest. Start simple and then refine, refine, refine.

References

Fleck, R. (2019, March 27). How to design an illustrated map in 8 simple steps. Dribbble. https://dribbble.com/stories/2019/03/27/how-to-create-an-illustrated-map-in-8-simple-steps

Forsey, C. (n.d.). Hubspot. Hubspot. Retrieved September 3, 2021, from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/adobe-free-alternatives

Google Design. (2019, February 13). Design Is [Speculative] Futures Design Thinking - a new toolkit for preemptive design [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB9UVHGI6AI&t=1511s

Hickmon, G. (n.d.). How you play Spades is how you play life. The Pudding. Retrieved September 3, 2021, from https://pudding.cool/2021/08/spades/

Knightlab. (n.d.). Revolutionary User Interfaces. Retrieved September 3, 2021, from https://timeline.knightlab.com/examples/user-interface/index.html

The Future Mundane. (2021, August 30). Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/139358108

Sustainability Science Education. (2019, August 23). What is Futures Thinking? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GjAHJSHDTs

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Week 3: Future Thinking Tool Kit & Storytelling with Data

What global misconceptions did you have that were false or true?

The last of eighteen questions based on common misconceptions about The United Nations goals related to the total amount of raw materials used across the world annually, since 2000. I assumed that it stayed about the same but actually it has increased to about 70%. Over half of the people who took this survey got this question wrong. Thus, this alludes to the concern that presumably, most people are probably completely unaware of how bad the worlds state of consumption really is. The resource furthers this concern as the increase of consumption is not due to increasing population but that more people are becoming richer. Research shows that the increase is 3 times higher than the population growth over the past 20years. Ironically said, it seems as if when one problem solves itself, another is created. Which makes me think about my own motives to be wealthy as well as to be more conscious about my own styles of consumption. Ultimately, it is the misconception in itself and trends like buying more from Amazon or places like K-Mart (as a personal example) that are cushioning the major issue like a soft blanket. Not to be naïve, a massive part of the problem is that we think we can’t trust the data when in fact we can (derived from a UN report Gapminder, n.d.), that we don’t know enough or don’t care. The reality is that our current reuse, recycle and reduce or presumable circular economy is way past falling short – by 20 years and at an increased 70% to be exact.

At this rate we’ll run out of natural resources and in doing so, destroy many natural habitats. So, we can say goodbye to our beautiful environmental makeup and say hello to more ‘stuff’.

Not enough people are taking this personally; people should be taking this issue personally. This calls for a lifestyle makeover and not only makes minimalism that much more appealing but then puts the concept of business as the lifeforce of consumption into question. In a quote I read today it said that businesses should never be about making money but that it should be about serving it’s people or else it shouldn’t even exist. I wonder what the future of business would look like in the next 30 years; picture the revitalisation of indigenous concepts of business, less desire for stuff and a fully propelled circular economy. It sounds good but that’s nothing short of a utopia. However, the whole point of this was to become aware and to take this particular issue personally.

#whatisyournewstyleofconsumptiongoingtolooklike?

#makeityourown.

#makeitpersonal.

Introduction to Data and Storytelling:

Data Visualisation is the graphic representations of data that makes complex information more visible, better accessible, and easier to interpret. We can understand trends, relationships, and patterns between data in more compelling ways when we can visualise it than if we were to view it as a report or in plain writing. Unlike traditional approaches such as report writing, data visualisations primarily use colours, shapes as well as language cues to share information. The cruciality between simplifying or condensing large and complex data is the capability to correctly inform than to mislead. Moreover, the data literacy skillset encourages communicators as well as information receivers to critically assess data sources by combining better reading and understanding with smarter use and communication.

 Introduction to the Futures Thinking Toolkit.

The Futures of Thinking Toolkit is interesting because it promotes a way of thinking about the future. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) uses such design concepts along with a list of others to think about the future of New Zealand. Moreover, in the classroom, it can be a structured way to develop student’s futures thinking skills. This can be used in conjunction with system thinking approaches by observing and speculating mental models for the purpose of understanding past and present behaviours. Essentially, the toolkit supports analysis by offering prompt questions related to the creation of possible, probable, and preferable futures, whilst factoring in wild possibilities, drivers, trends and into the present of a given situation. Due to the fundamental tie and the interconnectedness of arguably all social and environmental problems my team and I chose to base our research on Sustainability and Climate Change in New Zealand. We will do this by first using elements of The Futures Thinking toolkit such as existing Situation, trends, and drivers to analyse impartial futures over the next 30 years.

Provide a documentation of your research issue on Sustainability and Climate Change; categorise your research on, Existing Situation, Trends and Drivers from the Futures Thinking Toolkit.

Existing Situation:

How NZ practices sustainability 

https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/100-pure-how-new-zealand-practices-sustainability-to-remain-one-of-the-worlds-least-polluted-countries/

Climate Change Impact in NZ

https://www.environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/impacts-report-jun01.pdf

Fossil Fuels explained

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/fossil-fuels

Auckland Climate Change Plan

https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/Pages/te-taruke-a-tawhiri-ACP.aspx#:~:text=Auckland's%20climate%20is%20changing.,events%20and%20sea%20level%20rise.&text=In%20December%202020%2C%20the%20government,also%20declared%20a%20climate%20emergency.

Trends:

Auckland Plan in 2050

https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/auckland-plan/Pages/default.aspx 

Sustainability goals nz 

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/peace-rights-and-security/our-work-with-the-un/sustainable-development-goals/ 

Auckland Region Climate Change Projection

https://knowledgeauckland.org.nz/media/1171/tr2017-031-2-auckland-region-climate-change-projections-and-impacts-summary-revised-jan-2018.pdf

Drivers:

Auckland Plan 2050 Monitoring Framework

https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/auckland-plan/about-the-auckland-plan/Documents/fe-monitoring-framework.PDF

CHALLENGES FACING AUCKLAND BUSINESSES AND USING RECOVERY TO BUILD RESILIENCE

https://www.aucklandnz.com/sites/build_auckland/files/media-library/documents/Auckland-Economic-Insights-Series-ECCRA-Final.pdf

How the world thinks about climate change

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2019/09/17/how-does-everyone-feel-about-climate-change/?sh=17dbf3694051

What causes the Earth's climate to change?

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/climate-change/what-causes-the-earths-climate-to-change/ 

Climate change in New Zealand

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_New_Zealand#:~:text=The%20combined%20effects%20of%20climate,sea%20levels%20and%20higher%20temperatures.

References

Gapminder. (n.d.). 70% of people get this question wrong. Retrieved September 2, 2021, from https://upgrader.gapminder.org/t/sdg-world-un-goals/58/explanation/

Science Learning Hub. (n.d.). Futures thinking toolkit. Retrieved September 2, 2021, from https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2439-futures-thinking-toolkit

The Guardian. (2019, March 7). Big data: why should you care? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji18sDbWI_k&t=2s

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Week Two: Observation as a Design Thinking Method

What did you notice that was surprising or interesting?

Interestingly, the instruct of the camera as a tool for curiosity as well as for storytelling aroused my desire to be intentional. More important than that I have decided to be better observer of my surroundings. I can begin to think about how to tell the parts or sum thereof, of a specific story through photography. Such as in my home, how the one or more photos can evoke a story both impartially and intentionally to share a sense of what it means to me. The idea of utilising photo journals to collaboratively understand mental models through insightful observation is ingenious to me. It is another unique form of evaluation to in a greater sense invites viewers into both contextual and psychological settings to view what things might be like from another person’s perspective.

Brainstorm what you could write about if you were going to reflect on the Photo Safari activity?

When we use our phone cameras as framing devices to see people and places in a new way, we can begin to acknowledge our surroundings, to communicate with intention as well as conviction. By doing so, we begin to tell a story that provides insight into our experience of the world. As we recognise connections between the ideas that we have or in other words our mental models to our unique experiences it presents an opportunity for others come into our world.

What are some of the underlaying themes or concepts we have been exploring?

Mental Models are about our individual thought processes for how we see the world. These models guide our decision-making processes as well as our internal representations of the surrounding world. This concept can be used as a design thinking tool to understand and explain behaviour. Ultimately, information can be hypothesized and thus, become a useful tool to affect desired behaviour.

Fundamentally, Mental Models and Observation Methods are used to formulate the Systems Thinking Approach, which is to dissect and speculate systems of thinking. It is the infamous quote, that something is greater than the sum of its parts that somewhat illustrates the importance of each of the explored concepts.

More importantly, this week, is the notion of observation as a design thinking method. It is about not ignoring or taking things for surface value that preludes the thought process of ‘how’ and ‘why’, ‘why this behaviour or outcome’ that makes this week learning particularly interesting.

How might this activity be related to exploring the future?

Essentially, it is about using and testing theories and/or hypothesis to understand the past and present as well as to better speculate possible functionalities for the future.

Start doing some more focused research: what do experts think are the issues that will shape our future?

I think and ultimately believe that humans will adapt according to the challenges and demands that they are confronted with. The human activity of exploitation and brute capitalism will not seize until we are compelled. Moreover, our environmental and social issues will continue to mount unless we are forced as a human race to change. In saying so, the rise and fall of human life will continue; there will still be good and in conjunction with that there will be the bad. The new issues we will face in the future reflects the decisions we make today. Whether they be or good or bad. Our duty as moral beings are to strive to do better than we have done; for ourselves, for the planet and more importantly, for our future. By using the lessons and victories of the past and present to guide us forward. The question in mind is how long we will wait to make real change and how can, wherever we are, do our part in making a difference.

Arguably, the systems thinking approach to solving our incongruous downfall and most prominent human tendency for pride, greed, and power, alone is not suffice. However, it can be a useful tool to analysing the complexities or rather dimensions of both our past and present challenges. It is only by understanding a problem in these objective ways can we begin to implement models for change.

With its many names and classifications, experts allude to the concepts of moral capitalism or corporate social responsibility to guide the impact of people and business towards a better way of being. Closer to home, it is the moral principles, ways of thinking in terms of what is right, wrong and the extent to which individuals or segments can associate themselves with their own problem-solving capabilities that glean hope. To be forward, our biggest and first concern should be what is happening within our own backyards; I'm convinced that we have the solution to our own problems. Starting within our homes which in conjunction should be supported by a collaborative multi-sector effort for a better us. Thus, by doing so can we make a more effective change towards our wider global and geopolitical issues that continue to rise in prevalence.

Linear thinking in contrast to divergent or systematic thinking is what will, regrettably, defect true and sustainable change. Whilst the latter approaches require higher forms of leadership as well as followers, it is necessary to guide our inconspicuous future which is sure to arrive sooner than we can expect.

References

Jackson, P., & Parry, K. (2021). A Very A Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Studying Leadership. Sage Publications Ltd.

Lufkin, B. (n.d.). 10 grand challenges we’ll face by 2050. BBC Future. Retrieved September 2, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170713-what-will-the-challenges-of-2050-be

O’Brien, G. (2016). See What I Can See: New Zealand Photography for the Young and Curious. Auckland University Press.

Stage 1 in the Design Thinking Process: Empathise with Your Users. (2020, July 10). The Interaction Design Foundation. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/stage-1-in-the-design-thinking-process-empathise-with-your-users

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Week One: The Power of Storytelling, Mental Models & Systems Thinking

Class in a Nutshell: 

Today I invited my friend Tui to class; together we made two new friends Nai and Dylan. Eventually, I familiarised myself with the physical classroom, observing the layout, our teacher, and those of our peers. Then, we made toast! Illustratively that is; our first task was to draw our own step-by-step process of making toast, specifically for an alien audience who we recognised would be clueless at such a task. So, I took the liberty of drawing out the bread aisle of a supermarket, distinguishing between the bakery and toast appropriate bread - cause- that's important. I divided the entire page into sections to illustrate each subsequent step. I quickly realised that the way I approached the task was completely unique to others. As a class, we observed this further as we embraced each drawing and made connections between methods, thought patterns, and decision-making for each illustration. The basis of this activity was summarised in Tom Wujec's Ted Talk:

Tom Wujec: Got a wicked problem? First, tell me how you make toast

Tom addresses a few major points about breaking down and visualising information into 'bite-size' digestible pieces:

Drawing promotes mental nodes and links

Using sticky notes promotes effective iteration which is a fundamental aspect of the design thinking process

Collaboration visualisation and using group sticky notes improves synthesisation and thus creates better systems models

I can use these visualisation tools to digest, dissect and solve complex issues

The primary function of the lean/business model canvas comes to mind which encourages visualisation, group interaction, and sticky notes

Towards the end of class, we brainstormed social issues that as the team was what we considered pressing and relevant. We decided on an overarching theme based on the causes and effects of mental health in society; then we illustrated our ideas through a visual map.

Favourite Concept:

If empathy was a teapot, the sprout and handle would be Design and Creativity, the body being Empathy and in this case, the tea would be the outcome achieved when effective empathetic and generative thinking are applied.

Favourite Thought:

How effective storytelling changes the way we think.

I like to take notes using blank paper because I like that there aren't any of what feels to be thought confining lines. I try to draw and make connections between ideas or 'map-it-out' otherwise it's difficult for me to focus and grasp understanding. Reflecting on this I think about my younger brother who would teach me new ideas through analogies or metaphors and now when I try to learn new things, I make sense of them by connecting them to things that I am familiar with or interested in. I draw or map them out on my blank paper and as I'm doing that I feel as if I'm simultaneously entering new data into my brain.

Overview: Top 3 Questions:

Why is storytelling a fundamental need for human existence?

I could understand how food and love are essential means to human life and survival as according to the illustration titled, The Power of Storytelling, created by Sir Ian McKellen, however, the idea that storytelling is just as important was something I needed to ponder. Initially, I thought that there was surely something else that could replace storytelling and could be deemed as more important (even though all I could think about was humour). I realised that emotions, feelings, and connections could all be evoked through storytelling. I also thought about how stories can be told in forms such as song and dance and sometimes martial arts which is how I'm able to learn about the history of my people and the significance of lands and tradition. These aspects of humanity are what make up a big part of our identity and culture as unique groups as well as a collective human race.

The Power of Storytelling, with Sir Ian McKellen

What makes a story effective?

Capture and hold attention

Transport outsiders into the world of the characters

What can this mean to me now?

The Dramatic Arc

Starts with something new and surprising

The character faces difficulties to overcome

Story evokes transformation

Story resolves itself

The Virtuous Cycle of Empathy

Engaging emotionally

Leading to acts of service

Makes us happier

Motivating Behavioural Change

Capture attention (interesting/fascinating)

Stimulate emotion (relatable/empathising)

Build connection (purpose/learning)

Motivate change (the act of service)

Conclusion: Takeaway & Improvements

Reflective thinking is effective when practiced daily; when I do this, I am giving myself an opportunity to link, make sense and connect thoughts which strengthens my brainpower

Reflection and awareness help me to create better mental models and improves my system thinking processes to make better decisions

A blog is a display of a series of thoughts that encompass a theme or is presented in a structured way

Empathy and learning through drawing/mental nodes/stories are my superpowers

Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of human life because I'm wired this way!

I am better engaged when I can truly see myself in a story.

Storytelling is a form of communication; historically it was a survival mechanism, today it is how we communicate and connect ideas

System thinking takes a holistic approach to analysis that factors multiple angles of how a system works overtime and within the context of larger systems

Artificial Intelligence and Big Data comes to mind

References

The Power of Storytelling, with Sir Ian McKellen. (2021, September 3). Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/125383660

Ted. (2015, February 5). Tom Wujec: Got a wicked problem? First, tell me how you make toast [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vS_b7cJn2A