Backpack Design Description
In this project, students were to get into groups and come together to design a backpack. Not just any backpack, but one without limits. One that would solve all the daily struggles of being a student. My group did go a little above reality by creating this box that had a fridge, ATM, laptop, microwave, and seat that would follow you around controlled by a bracelet that could even hover. It also had extra details like a WiFi hotspot, charger, mirror, camera, and was glow in the dark. But the most important thing about this project was the process behind it.
Design Thinking Methods
This is a process in which individuals work together to find/create a solution for a problem. By first empathizing and understanding the root of the problem, they work together, and brainstorm. Individuals have the opportunity to throw in any ideas they have which is ideally used to start off and expand into a greater idea (even if it's not headed towards the original idea). Through multiple revisions, one can test out ideas, define, them and/or present where they were to get critiqued and possibly improve their ideas to a final prototype.
This process went really well. Students were able to work in small groups enhancing their opportunity to have their voice heard. Hearing from others gives one a lot of ideas that can be taken a step further. It's convenient to have this small group so one can interact more and think of ideas that when presented to all the groups, can further be expanded on. If, anything, I would have preferred to have come together as a group before the final presentation to get ideas from even more people who are focusing on a similar aspect to ours.
This process went really well. Students were able to work in small groups enhancing their opportunity to have their voice heard. Hearing from others gives one a lot of ideas that can be taken a step further. It's convenient to have this small group so one can interact more and think of ideas that when presented to all the groups, can further be expanded on. If, anything, I would have preferred to have come together as a group before the final presentation to get ideas from even more people who are focusing on a similar aspect to ours.