Research Team


Background and expectations:

PERSONAL BACKGROUND:

22 year-old spontaneous aggressive digital & film photographer and freelance web & print designer. Interests in innovative ideas, spaces, systems, and products as well as classical innovations. Can't make up her mind when it comes to food and tends to order or get too much. Explores new towns and cities without a map in hand - only eyes, camera and notebook.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

4th year major in Interactive Arts & Technology in the Interaction Design stream, with a minor in Communications at Simon Fraser University.

WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR ITALIADESIGN?

My eyes were opened when I first heard of this program in my first course with Russell in 2nd year (Design in Digital Environments). The idea of having an intense couple weeks studying and researching the very things and concepts we were learning in class in a group with concentrated synergy really caught my attention.

Experiences In-field:

WHAT DID YOU LEARN:

  • About design?

    To do design, you don't need a computer. All you need is a proper mindset and good ideas.

  • About innovation?

    Innovation happens usually when there is a pressing need and the process is forced to evolve creatively while minding constraints.

WHAT NEW PERSPECTIVE DID YOU COME HOME WITH?

I feel like I matured, coming back with a new understanding of the world and also a new confidence. I was in culture shock after coming home, and even a month later, I still felt it - even though I had only spent two months of my life in Italy compared to sixteen years living in Vancouver.

FAVOURITE MOMENTS OR INTERACTIONS:

  • During course work?

    Walking around documenting and interviewing the local people in the Tuscan hilltown of Pienza was extremely memorable. Not only was it enjoyable but my team also gathered a lot of data in a short amount of time.

  • In an interview?

    Our interview and factory tour with Bialetti Industrie was definitely amazing. We had to drive over an hour from Milan to visit their factory. This year was also the first time that the field study was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview Bialetti, and they showed us great hospitality by providing us coffee and snacks, as well as a small gift to take home.

  • With the group?

    After a long day and fantastic steak dinner in the Tuscan hilltown of Montepulciano, we were walking back to the vehicles at dusk when I caught a glimpse of a vivid gradient blue sky that had a bright orange strip in the horizon between two buildings. I ran towards the edge of the town beyond the buildings to get a better view, and it was indeed magnificent. Everyone gathered at the ledge to look at the sunset and enjoy the cool evening air. The group as a whole, I'm sure, felt something at that moment - something we'll all remember for the rest of our lives. The reality of the situation that we were a group of selected students brought together by our passion for learning, Italian design and contributing to the legacy.

FAVOURITE PLACE OR SPACE:

  • Palazzo Barberini - A quiet museum with artworks arranged by relevance rather than time periods. Showcases Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Caravaggio inspired works as well as originals. I wonder how many people went to the museum and had no idea that the steps they were walking on were the amazing Borromini and Bernini staircases.

  • Trastevere - The start of the evening stroll in Rome that goes north and passes through Campo di Fiori and Piazza Navona. "Night on the Tevere" night market lines the shore of the island making the area extra lively with food, music, film, shopping, games catering to the local nightlife.

  • Campidoglio at night - One of the few places in Rome where it isn't noisy and crowded - away from the cars and people - in Michelangelo's Renaissance piazza.

  • Pazzi Chapel - Brunelleschi's proportions, human-scaled openness.

  • Florence Centro - Catching the different glimpses of the duomo, and walking to the surrounding piazzas and sitting at Palazzo Rucellai.

  • Pienza - This small Renaissance Tuscan hilltown is just absolutely perfect. I learned a great deal from observing and noticing the architectural details and sense of space with its effect on the people within it. I was able to apply the concepts and content from our in-field text, A Pattern Language.

MY TRANSCENDENT MOMENTopen link

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUDYING ABROAD AND STUDYING AT HOME:

Architectural space can only be felt in its entirety by being physically present. Studying abroad pushes one's concentration to the next level without the distractions of home.

CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE FULL SEMESTER OF CONTEXTUAL, CULTURAL, AND HISTORICAL STUDIES PRIOR TO IN-FIELD WORK?

  • About language?

    Learning the Italian language prior to the trip was an undeniable asset. The whole experience wouldn't have been as engaging or successful if we did not have a basic understanding of the language.

  • About Italian history?

    Studying the history of the art and architecture in Italy gave a point of reference and context when we were in the Italian cities. It also helped me understand what the local people and Italian designers were born into and grew up in. Knowing more about the iconic architecture beyond the typical guidebook richened the experience as well as helping navigate the city.

  • About design history?

    Knowing Italian design history gave context to the variety of products we saw. It also helped me to understand where the Italian designers were coming from by seeing what was in their past.

CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE LEGACY PROJECT OF THE ITALIADESIGN FIELD SCHOOL?

I can really see the project has moved significantly forward. Yearly, it is expanding and reaching more terrain and encountering new ideas. This year was no different: we brought information models and other preparatory materials over to test them in-field with the very people who we have been studying and learning from.

Reflecting:

CAREER GOALS, ASPIRATIONS, AND INTERESTS POST-FIELD SCHOOL?

The field school was the last part of my undergraduate study. Now that I'm finished my degree, I'm looking into continuing education in the new year: I'm considering studying Interaction Design and prototyping at Malmo University in Sweden or pursuing product design at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR UPCOMING ITALIADESIGN STUDENTS?

This field study requires a lot of dedication and commitment. It forces you to live outside of your comfort zone, testing and pushing your personal, physical and intellectual limits. Therefore, don't be afraid to go into the unknown.