Reflecting on my activities before my FBP, I realised how much they shaped my identity as a designer. The courses and projects I took on, as well as my extracurricular activities, built the foundation for my current design approach, while also pushing me to constantly evolve.
Collaborating with Ferrero during a branding project gave me invaluable insight into balancing creative vision with real-world business demands. It taught me how to translate brand strategies into compelling designs that connect with users, which influenced how I later approached storytelling and user-centered design in my FBP.
In terms of design methodologies, projects like Project 3, where I explored sensitive topics like body dysmorphia, had a profound impact on my ability to approach difficult subjects with care and empathy. It challenged me to think deeply about emotional responses to design, which became a key focus in my FBP.
Extracurricular roles, like my position as secretary of a sports association, honed my project management and organizational skills. These experiences taught me how to work in teams, manage multiple tasks, and keep track of deadlines—all skills that played a big role in managing the complexities of my FBP.
On the technical side, courses such as Creative Programming and Creative Electronics opened my eyes to the potential of technology in design. Although my technical skills were still in development, these courses helped me understand how coding and interactive electronics could enhance the emotional and functional aspects of a project.
Overall, these experiences not only shaped my skills but also gave me a clearer sense of what kind of designer I want to be. They pushed me to embrace a balance between aesthetics, empathy, and functionality, which I carried forward into my FBP and continue to develop as I move forward in my design career.
These experiences pushed me to embrace a balance between aesthetics, empathy, and functionality, which I carried forward into my FBP and continue to develop as I move forward in my design career.
Past
Present
Goals I achieved during my FBP:
1. AI and design:
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I gained a foundational understanding of AI concepts by researching introductory AI resources and participating in squad workshops, specifically with Artifice. This helped me understand AI's role in generative design and customisation.
2. Data collection:
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Created an in-depth questionnaire with open and closed questions, and was able to analyse and understand the relationship between humans and jewelry.
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I successfully organized my first Magic Machine workshop which captured data on emotions through design which became the foundation for customizing the AI-generated designs.
3. Integration of AI-generated input into 3D modeling software:
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I worked with programs like SolidWorks, creating and modifying 3D models based on user input and AI-generated suggestions. I experimented with shapes and design parameters to reflect emotional and personal input in the designs.
4. Creativity, aesthetics, and personalization:
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I connected AI tools with the creation of personalized designs, fulfilling my goal of making personal, emotional connections through jewelry design. I integrated emotional experiences throughout the process, contributing to my design vision.
5. New prototyping methods
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I learned and implemented jewelry casting, one of the most traditional and physical methods of the art of jewelry.
Areas of improvement:
1. Getting more personal with customisation:
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While I successfully gathered and used emotional data from the questionnaire, a deeper, more nuanced analysis of these inputs could have led to more detailed and refined personal customization. Future iterations could explore more intricate emotional states and user preferences to create even more personalised designs, tailoring the process further to each individual.
2. Advanced AI Tools for Customisation:
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Although the generative design tools used were effective, incorporating more advanced AI tools with coding implementation could provide a higher level of customisation. This would allow for more control over the design parameters and offer additional possibilities for refining AI-generated patterns and designs in a way that fully aligns with user emotions and preferences.
As I look towards the future, my goal is to continue my journey in design by pursuing a Master's in Industrial Design. I am particularly eager to start the track courses of Design Leadership and Entrepreneurship, which will equip me with the skills to drive innovation and create meaningful impact through design, while exploring entrepreneurial opportunities within the Creative Industries. While this will guide me towards Business & Entrepreneurship I am looking forward to also taking electives of the expertise area User & Society and Creativity & Aesthetics to achieve my goal of becoming a designer, focused on human behaviour and speculative design.