Impact Lab 2: Design Intensive
DYB102 Impact Lab 2: People
A few weeks ago, I got the chance to connect with fellow Queensland University of Technology (QUT) students studying various fields of design to address a design brief. Over three days of a Design Intensive, I had the opportunity of collaborating with a community partner, Orange Sky Australia, to propose a design solution that addressed the hardships and loneliness associated with Young Australians experiencing homelessness.
During the Design Intensive my classmates: William Liu, Ben Tsang, Eliza Rogers and Vivian Do, shared their different perspectives from their disciplines of Interior Design, Industrial Design, Landscape Architecture and Visual Communication. Coming from a Marketing and Fashion major, this interaction encouraged me to widen my own perception and outlook of what it means to be a designer in the community.
After researching the organisation, our group focused on designing a solution for the statement below:
How might we support Young Australians between ages 18-24 to feel a sense of belonging in a way that fosters a welcoming and safe environment that promotes social connections between friends and the local community?
The Link would be an additional program added to their existing laundry and shower services, some volunteers would set up activities such as meditation, card/board games and crafts (making instruments) in rotation for the friends during the washing wait time. For those volunteers musically interested, there would be live music where friends can participate and enjoy singing along. This program would be set up at a local park where anyone in the space can choose to partake in genuine conversations.
Partnerships with non-profit music related organisations and gathering feedback from friends can help elevate this program in the future.
I would like to take this chance to thank our project leads, Valeria Macalupu, Dannielle Tarlinton, Aidan Ryan, Ghazeleh Sepahpour and Claire Brophy for guiding us for the past three days. I would also like to give a special shoutout to the representatives from Orange Sky Australia who took the time to answer our questions, listened to our pitches and gave constructive feedback.
Credits to my fellow team members: William Liu, Ben Tsang, Eliza Rogers and Vivian Do!
