Project #3

Project #3: Creating RADICALLY

The challenge:

Working in teams of four, the students will leverage their artist/designer research and material experimentation knowledge from previous assignments and will design, prototype, and test an entire functional ecosystem of making. 

Utilizing a deeper understanding of the complexities of making (of a product or an art object), the project’s goal is to create an entire system that considers FOUR critical relationships: MATTER, PROCESS, COMMUNITY and CULTURE.

In other words, we are considering not only what is being made, but also how it is being made, used, and disposed. We are also considering the ARTIST'S ROLE AS A BRIDGE BUILDER. 

For inspiration on how these FOUR ideas might translate into action, we're providing some artists whose practice and ideas you will need to research in-depth before you get started on designing your unique system of relationships. Be sure to use primary sources: the artist's own ideas and words. See the list of suggested artists and designers: Resources for Assignment #3: Creating RADICALLY

An additional challenge is to leverage the team process by the following ways:

• make sure that ideas and research from each team member are appreciated and included;
• make sure to pull your own weight in the project, take on tasks in a way that it is equitable among all team members;
• chart out and divide up the tasks and the skill sets needed, meet all team deadlines and/or inform team mates in time if you are falling behind;
• if you are struggling, ask for help in a timely manner, but also try to pitch in with what you can. 
• You will report about the collaborative process on the last page of your 

The deeds:

Students are asked to document the entire life cycle of the project from research and inspiration to the tangible artifacts (e.g. material tests, object prototypes) all the way to broader environmental, social, and cultural implications of their work.

We are aiming for primarily utilizing SCAVENGED/FORAGED and RECYCLED/REUSED MATERIALS in this project. Please use the Resources for Assignment #3: Creating RADICALLY page for ideas on where to get these kinds of materials.  

Field test and document on a feasible scale and envision your product and its impact using speculative fiction on a larger scale.

The end product is a combination of ACTUAL and SPECULATIVE documentation*. 

*Note: Teams may use any techniques of documentation (sketching, 3D modeling, mock-ups, product photography, rendering, animation, AI, poetry, audience surveys, etc.) to visualize and present this ecosystem. 

Deliverables:

ACTUAL and SPECULATIVE documentation of your ecosystem of RADICAL MAKING presented using sketches, prototypes, material tests, visual/video/sound/data charts/etc. during both the assignment work in progress check-in times and for the project's final presentation.

The final presentation will happen in the following formats:

1. PDF for an in-person Oral Presentation (8-10 image heavy slides, with some captioning on the main points) to the class on Dec 5th.

• This document is image driven, will need to be accompanied by the oral explanation of team members during our class presentation.
• The final page of this PDF is reserved for your reflections on the collaborative process, all other pages could be shared (identical) among team members. Each student will submit this document individually to the assignment (please use the template provided) Download (please use the template provided).
• Due: 12:30pm on Dec 5th in this Canvas assignment. 

2. PDF of a DIY Manual (8-10 pages, including images and descriptions that explain the project to outsiders) for online distribution.

• One submission per group here: Final Project: MAKING RADICALLY FINAL DOCUMENTATION for Maker Faire
• This document needs to stand on its own, introducing the entirety of your project (idea, development, implications) without further explanation.
• Due: Dec 14th. Each group will need to print one (1) hard copy for the Final Makers Faire. We will collect this DIY Manual for the Design and IVA program archives. It will not be returned to you, but will be reshared with students in future art/design classes. 

3. Prototypes + various kinds of artifacts from your project. Need to be presented during

• at all work-in-progress check-ins, 
• at the class final presentation on Dec 5th, 
• at the public Makers Faire on Dec 14th. 

Assignment time line and due dates in calendar view