Cartesius

During Sustainability Challenge Week, centered around the theme of healthy active living, I drew inspiration from the concept of Blue Zones as I addressed the challenge: “How can we design community spaces that encourage tranquility, purpose& relaxation, & community cohesion within Cartesius?”

Impact & Change

Motivation

Navigating a group dynamic where motivation varied proved to be a noteworthy challenge. Recognizing that some members were new to full-time work and others unfamiliar with the design-thinking process, I understood the diverse backgrounds contributing to this situation. Despite these differences, I believe there was untapped potential within the team that could have been harnessed more effectively. In response, I took on the role of facilitating engagement, leveraging individual strengths, and establishing connections. Reflecting on this experience, I acknowledge that fostering stronger initial connections might have further eased the collaborative process. Nevertheless, I'm proud of the outcome we achieved..

Design Methods Mastered

Literature Study

The group conducted a literature study to learn more about the blue zones, the reoccurring themes when it came to building a community, and the current trends that made people relaxed and brought them together. This helped us when it came to the ideation stage to know what worked and how to make it better.

Storyboard

For every concept we developed, we employed storyboarding as a design method. This not only deepened our understanding of each idea but also provided a visual aid for client communication. The storyboards served as a crucial bridge between abstract concepts and tangible representation, facilitating a more collaborative and effective design process.

Personal Development

Adaptability

Navigating diverse work values within the team posed a notable challenge, requiring adaptability on my part. Recognizing the differences, I made a conscious effort to adapt to various work styles and encouraged productivity. Throughout this process, I learned the importance of channeling more energy into the work itself, rather than solely focusing on boosting team morale. This shift in perspective allowed me to prevent burnout and contributed to a more balanced and constructive approach to collaboration.

Pitching

Engaging in the pitch workshop proved to be valuable in unveiling my strengths and areas for improvement in the art of pitching. This newfound understanding became a driving force, inspiring me to embrace opportunities and pitch ideas more frequently.