Design Methodology

The team at INIDA has a number of topics for me regarding the Santiago Island dams: some of them are outside of my background but others, like technical issues, economic analysis and statistics, are a bit more workable. It would be really interesting to do a report on the technical/engineering as well as the economic and political aspects of the dams. For my other project, at UNI-CV, I am really excited to work with the engineering faculty and find more project-topics with which Wellesley faculty can collaborate. The methods and ideas listed in IDEO's Field Guide to Human-Centered Engineering (below) would be really helpful in that phase.

Starting the Process

IDEO's field guide gives a quick overview of the design process I learned over a semester-long class: there are three phases we can identify as inspiration, ideation and implementation. (I remember others using different words but the same idea.) 

In both of the projects I'm pursuing, there is a problem area to investigate. For the dams I could research its economic effects on the lives of farmers, nearby residents, or other groups; I could also investigate its effects on the land directly. For UNI-CV, the possibilities are endless and, with the help of faculty and students, I could help highlight serious concerns and potential design projects ranging from the university groups to the cities and villages to the government in general. After choosing which design(s) to pursue and compiling research, I could move into ideation - but probably leave most of ideation and implementation to the Wellesley and UNI-CV students next year. (I only have 2 months.)

In addition to my immersion, some of the tools I could use in gathering research and learnings for either project are individual, group and expert interviews; guided tours (an absolute must); drawing, cart sort and collage activities; peers observing peers; and resource flow diagrams. All of these require my interaction with the people affected and acute listening skills. 

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