Week 4

This week, we revisited the Kings Cross case study and applied the newly learnt Needs and Aspirations for Design and Innovation (NADI) model . The Nadi model is a framework that mainly is used retrospectively when solving design problems to shed light onto the different levels of depths of insights into human needs and aspirations.  The model is made up of four layers;

1. Solutions
2. Scenarios
3. Goals
4. Themes

Working on the Kings Cross case study in the lecture, we were shown an exampling of a re-framing the problem. This example really helped me to understand the application of the model, and how valuable re-framing the problem is.

The original Kings Cross study was framed around preventing crime, while the new frame looked at managing party goers at a music festival. This new frame was determined through a change in themes. Originally the theme framed was security, while the new frame focused on vibrancy and culture. 

Week 3

This week we reflected upon the interviews conducted last week by exploring the values of each stakeholder. Each stakeholder was listed, and as a class we brainstormed values that are important to them. This method allowed us to compare and contrust stakeholder expectations. Common themes included:
- Culture
- Love
- Education

Values were then grouped according to similarity. Words that best represented these groups were selected. These would be our themes.

Kim explained how these themes could be useful in solving or re-framing the problem. She spoke about how we can explore how these themes have been represented in pop-culture or literature, and use that as a possible solution.

She gave an example of the identity theme through the novel  The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The story tells of a man with two identities, by day he is Dr. Jekyll the intellectual and by night he is Mr. Hyde, the criminal. While these two identities seem completely seperate, the protagonists finds that his identity emobodies both these people. He can not simply ignore one. Using this framework on the Kings Cross example, you can immediately see the correlation. Whilst during the day The Cross is a quiet city centre, by night it turns into a bustling cultural hub of youth. 

For homework we were asked to select two themes and relate them to personal experiences/ pop-culture references and literature!

 

Week 2

Unfortunately this week I was unable to attend the tutorial due to illness. This is particularly disappointing as this week we were to conduct interviews with individuals who had been through the leaving care system as well as government workers who enforce the system.

Fortunately however, my group took extensive notes as well as voice recordings, enabling me to have both primary and secondary sources to study.

The findings from the interviews did not align with my expectations, despite acknowledging that kids who go through foster care, would experience a level of neglect, I was unprepared for the brutality and abuse experienced by these individuals. What stood out to me was the instability of their childhood, and the constant changing environments they were subject to. There experiences vary according to each case; no foster care experience is the same. Jacob and Dale projected maturity despite being quite young, however they did admit to still suffering mental instability with Jacob being unable to maintain a job due to depression.

When conducting the interviews we started with open questions that would promote anecdotal responses. From these responses more specific questions were asked. This minimized bias, and prevented the interviewer from guiding the responses. This method could be improved in the future through more in-depth research prior the interview. This would provide a more substantial foundation for understanding the context behind the responses.