"Draw Before You Think"

"Draw It" activity from IDEO's Field Guide
Another topic that has also preoccupied my thoughts is the act of observation. What is the least intrusive way I can observe and connect with the people of Cape Verde? How can I minimize the dynamic and disruption that Western/American tourists usually bring? Mayrah Udvardi, who I met during my first year and her last year at Wellesley, developed a wonderful presentation about this topic and presented it at a MaddyTalks - a reunion at the Albright Institute. (Watch below.)

I remember when she told me that she had won a Watson Fellowship and was planning on not taking any electronics, drawing the whole experience as she travelled for a year. I was just as much impressed and excited for her as I was worried, considering STEM and architecture fields require a lot of documentation that is usually electronic. Now, after practicing it and hearing this same notion from design professors, I can absolutely say that drawing is a fantastic way to do observe, communicate and comprehend an experience, especially if there are language or knowledge barriers. I am hoping to mimic her proverb while in Cape Verde but also utilize mobile cameras and voice recordings when appropriate as supplements to my drawing. Documentation is not just for me but also my supervisor, other faculty members, and their students back at Wellesley, so it has to be detailed.

"Draw Before You Think. Think Before You Ask. Ask Before You Do."

  

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