Research Team

Background and expectations:

PERSONAL BACKGROUND:

I was born in Vancouver and I love music and photography; what more can you ask? I am interested in innovative/spatial design and seeing how people from different cultures interact with their surroundings.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

4th Year at Simon Fraser University, School of Interactive Arts and Technology, majoring in Interaction Design.

WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR ITALIADESIGN?

I heard of the Italia field study from many people during second and third year. I was surprised by how each of them had changed after coming back from the Field Study, not physically but also mentally. Applying to this field study also meant that I would be able to expand my network with people like myself and hopefully find a better understanding of what interaction design is about. Learning from the best designers and the culture itself is an experience that I would not want to pass up.

Experiences In-field:

WHAT DID YOU LEARN:

• Generally?

  I've learned how to talk? Not like those casual talks with friends but in a way of talking to locals or professionals and being able to communicate with them. If you want to know or understand something you have to take that initiative and not just let others talk for you. From the field study, I believe I have gained that bit of confidence in myself.

• About design?

  Design is not just about the end product. It's about the process that takes place in the middle and its not about whether it looks cool or shiny or whatever; its about designing something meaningful for who you are designing for.

• About innovation?

  You have to understand the people first. Their needs, their wants, and just listen to them and not just make something out of the blue.

• About design process?

  Design process is not always linear; it's this chaotic web that goes back and forth but still has its simplicity. For a great design its not about trying to design a completely new object, but to recreate what was good and making it better. You learn from the mistakes and you gain new knowledge out of that. For companies such as ONEoff, they take collaboration as a big role where they can gain new knowledge, share their thoughts and exchange ideas among others.

• About cities?

  A city operates in different ways based on people and the space they can move around in. Piazzas in Rome allow people to use that open space for markets, events, or entertainment. The people that use this space change its functionality. For instance, in Campo dei Fiori, the market opens up from 6am to 2pm, then they clean everything up and have this huge space for kids to run around playing soccer here and there; then at night there are a people coming from everywhere going for a walk and at times there are entertainers that come out to give people a laugh or two. This isn't the same as when we visited the Tuscan hill towns such as Pitigliano, where there aren't any large open piazzas for them to host markets, but instead they are used as parking lots for those coming to visit the hill town. People play an important role in how space is used within the city and it revolves around the peoples needs and how they want to use that given space.

• About living away from home?

  Living away from home is a cruel world but at the same time there are many unexpected wonders around every corner. At first it was exciting being able to just live with a group of fantastic team members and travel around with them. At home, I did not worry about food or washing my clothes and such; once those important elements are gone, you are just on your own. It's not bad being able to do everything on your own. Being able to make dinner, wash clothes, dishes, and clean the house, you then begin to see how it takes hard work to finish the task. So from living away from home I am able to mature myself in being able to do the simple tasks and not just let others do it for me. You have to take that first step into doing something on your own, because soon enough you will be on you own - it's just the matter of time.

• About group dynamics?

  People need their own space. Even though you work in a great group of people you need give them their own space. Everyone in the group individually had their own skills , but everyone in the group had the same passion for learning about Italian design and the culture itself. Being able to work in a group with the same passion for learning is the best feeling that one could ever get.

WHAT NEW PERSPECTIVE DID YOU COME HOME WITH?

There is more to do than just sit at home and spend countless hours on the internet. Being away from the digital world made me realize that there is so much that the world can offer. The world has a lot of give, you just have to find it on your own, which is what this field study can offer. The more you go out on your own and learn, the more you grow as an individual.

FAVOURITE MOMENTS OR INTERACTIONS:

• In daily life?

  My favorite moments during the field study mainly took place in Rome, where Russell took us to places that no other tourists or locals will go. We went through sewers, ran to the Vatican in the morning, and many more. It's just a whole new experience knowing where to go at the right moment and avoiding all the chaos that occurs at the wrong time of day.

  Overall my interaction with the locals and other Italians was an experience that I will never forget. I was very nervous when I first spoke Italian at the grocery when the lady asked if I wanted a bag and such. The moment when she asked a question and I was able to understand it and give her an answer was memorable. As the days pass by, I was able to carry short conversations with local market owners or at a restaurant which made my day worth traveling around the city.

• During course work?

  When going to Pitigliano for my team's ethnographic research studies, we were only given four hours to gather all the information and make a project out of whatever we have gathered. During that four hours, my interactions with the locals were some of my favorite moments. Being able to create this bond between us and being able to talk about our studies and to carry a nice long conversation with them was something very memorable to me.

• In an interview?

  My most memorable moment would our interview with Paolo Rizzatto. From the moment we entered his office, he was the only one there. No secretary or other representatives. Just Paolo Rizzatto himself, which is completely different from being able to interview a designer where we would have to go through security and secretaries and representatives and then finally to the designer themselves. The moment when we began our interview, Rizzatto engaged everyone in showing his design process and not just the end product. He taught us about being able to find the combination of elements to its functionality and finding that equilibrium. That balance plays an result of the outcome, which I found was fascinating and wanted to know more about his thoughts on his design process. Along with his design process showed us many examples of how he applied those theories to his designs. It's similar to reading a book but with the difference that we can actually see, feel, and touch the examples being shown.

• With the group?

  My favourite moments with the group would have to be during dinner. Usually from breakfast to lunch we would be out researching or going out with Russell to visit the many churches and cities. Dinner was our own get together with the whole group. The time we spent during dinner is always memorable, from making the food, to setting up the table, eating, and washing the dishes. Everyone was engaged at some point, which made it feel like we were one big family.

FAVOURITE PLACE OR SPACE:

My favorite place in Rome would have to be within the Roman Forum in Augustus' house. Many tourists pass by the house, thinking that his house has to be a huge building. Before entering the house there is a large structure that is located in front, which many people mistake for the house. Augutus' house is located behind this larger structure, up on the small hill containing a small garden. To me this place is a place which I would always visit, but because of the new regulation of paying to get inside of the Roman Forum, I was not able to. In the end I paid to get in twice, just to spend my three hours just visiting this place. The surrounding is peaceful and you can't hear any honking from cars. In addition, there are not many people there, unlike the Pantheon or St. Peter's Basilica. You can really feel the openness of the space.

MY TRANSCENDENT MOMENT

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUDYING ABROAD AND STUDYING AT HOME:

Studying abroad may sound hectic because you don't know the culture or the environment, but in reality it's not as bad as most people would imagine. Being able to study in Italy was enjoyable just because I was not surrounded by technology 24/7. Studying at home has this feeling of procrastinating because of all the technology that surrounds you. Wherever you go back home, there has to be some sort of technology that follows you around, but during the field study there are piazzas and open spaces where you are able to go to and read or study. The space in Italy is just comfortable, something that I can probably never find back at 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 language would the best thing that the field study has suggested to take ahead of time. For one, we were able to understand and talk to the locals without being all confused and having them walk away. Even though your Italian may not be 100% perfect, once they see you try to speak their language the Italians do try to help you as an individual. At first I was very nervous in talking to the locals because I was not good at public speaking, but I was interested in knowing the culture and getting to know some of the locals. Understanding the language ahead of time helped not just myself, but the group improve upon the ethnographic research that we have gathered for the field study. Being able to speak the language didn't mean we just used it for our research purposes but to also make some friends along the way.

• About Italian history?

  Learning about Italian history beforehand made it seem like I am visiting an old friend. You understand the value of what is in front of you helps avoid making those 'tourist' comments like "oh what was the name of this building? and why was this important?". Being able to know and understand the history behind this structure or place and immersing yourself into the fabulous spaces is just breath taking. By researching the topic for a period of time and finally being able to see, hear, and touch the buildings and space, it's just rewarding and you get this feeling of returning home.

Reflecting:

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

I am interested in contributing to something that has meaning and to make a difference. Design is constantly changing even as we speak. It is an ongoing cycle - like technology - where there is always something new. But when designing something meaningful, isn't always new; sometimes its about taking something old and making something better out of it. Design is about understanding and learning from the mistakes and their importance.

DID YOU MEET YOUR PRE-TRIP GOALS?

Forcing myself to come out of my box, talking to locals and designers, was something that I would have never achieved if not for this field study. Being able to enjoy a nice conversation with locals and getting to know a completely different culture in their own language is rewarding.

WHAT IMPACT HAS THE FIELD SCHOOL HAD ON YOU?

• Academically?

  Design process in general can be very complex, but being able to understand the ideas behind that process becomes meaningful. The field study has allowed me to understand as a designer that it's always not the end product that becomes the result, its about the people that use the product or space which becomes that end result. If you are able to understand people and why you are designing for them, you gain a feeling of being able to make a difference in the world.

• Personally?

  There is always something to do other then spending most of your time on the computer and relying on technology. Being able to go out and find something without relying on technology is something that I found over my stay in Italy.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR UPCOMING ITALIADESIGN STUDENTS?

Enjoy the space and get to know the culture - you'll be surprised at what wonders those Italians have to say about themselves. You are going to Italy! So enjoy the time you spend over there, because who knows, the field study may change your life.