ARCH 208 : Design Thinking and Making

The course introduces students to the process of thoughtful design through investigation and making. The course is predicated on the concept that establishing a solid methodology on the practice of making and thinking in non-linear, abstract ways can facilitate the process of designing virtually anything. While every design challenge is unique, applying a deeper understanding of how to approach the question/s being asked is of paramount importance. This course focuses on how to approach an abstract idea and make it concrete by marrying the theories of conceptualization and investigation with the physical acts of making. The goal is to have students create a systematic methodology that can be applied to virtually all design challenges at every level of studio and beyond. The class will be comprised of lectures, readings, discussions and the application of ideas into physically made objects as well as training on special equipment, tools and software will form an integral part of the course.