HCD moving forward in 3 paragraphs

Final Project Completed: Come as you are, you will be embraced at “the PQ” -Paul Quinn College’s upcoming community store.

 

 

Four months later I can comfortably say that Human Centered Design became an intimate modification in my thought process in regards to the way I visualize concepts, processes, experiences, products and potential idea executions. My wish list is for a Kate Canales’ one sheet with the basic steps that ten fortunate students have learned this spring of 2014. A hand out where each step is contained in a sticky note with Kate’s award-giving font is to remain posted on my desktop at all times …because I have lived the introduction to the process and it has positively modified my perspective, as I share in two paragraphs and images. 

In the field ❤ primary research

I am part of a team currently named Team P, P for Paul as in Paul Quinn College (PQC) which is our client. This South Dallas academic institution has build the amazing “We Over Me Farm” in a former football filed. PQC is in the middle of a food desert. Our mission is to reflect the success stories and needs of community anchor institutions in their upcoming grocery store (2015 or 16). Part of my sentiment on our primary research with anchoring organizations in the neighborhood follows in  easy-to-read bold words and heart-felt concepts.

Team P AKA The Fantastic Four …or 4 dedicated students learning and working together.

Community Gardens: Beyond Food Deserts

In the spirit of brief-readings and collaboration I am determined to keeping this one tidy, simple, photo-or-link based, and green!

At Audubon Dallas with a guardian of the marsh. The rest of the blog makes more sense, promised.

Fulton Suri observations during Saint Patrick’s parade

What are Fulton Suri observations or moments? Read this!

Why Fulton Suri observations during Saint Patrick’s parade? It is a great opportunity to see “how people do” in spite of the rain. Four simple moments derived from human adaptation to jovial jubilation.

Brainstorming for DART

Highlights, bolds and links for your rapid reader lifestyle

The latest foray in my Human Centered Design class stems from the individual questions that we all brought to class on AEIOUY insights. The post its were about the previous week’s mission to use DART under different scenarios, and included issues and areas of improvement, as well as assets, social observations, etc. At class each insight was posted in the grid of a Customer Journey Map, which under professor’s direction landed us all in HMW questions grouped in categories. We voted on the three best ones.

Kate Canales instructed on the rules of brainstorming and based on our preferred HMW questions teams were assembled for a design project. Task one: host and attend a brainstorm session. The following insights is how the popcorn burned in team Chase, Jonah, Tech.

How Might We demonstrate DART as a savvy option?

Active observation and empathy in HCD-thinking per Jane Fulton Suri

So you are in a rush?

Just read the first and last paragraphs, bold font and photo captures.

In daily life we make interpretations about the stuff around us all the time-how it might work and what we can do with it. We develop an exquisite awareness of the possibilities and sensory qualities of different materials, forms, and textures. This awareness is evident from our actions, even when we are not conscious of them-these are our “thoughtless acts.” Understanding these intuitive interpretations might be a significant source of insight for designers.

So Tech needs a big desk, how to make this happen? One day project treating a large board and implementing support with three-drawer columns on each side. Not the most elegant solution yet it has worked during this academic cycle. No keyboard caddy? There’s a table with casters for keyboard and mouse pad flexibility right below the desk. I confess this is the least aesthetic angle of my desktop.

Habits, custom, objects = opportunities for better Human Centered Design

(multiple photos follow this)

HCD Human Centered Design, why?

When I grow up, which unfortunately is on the verge of happening …again (darn!) I want to work on research and development for social commerce (firms, departments, teams.) My path-of-choice is to further specialize in Applied Anthropology through graduate school or milk Anthropology through one of these programs:

• Computer and Human Interaction
• Marketing Research/Consumer Insights or
• Human Centered Design (HCD) precisely …why? continue reading

Balance, empathy and HCD

The Most Influential American of All Time

In a nation of more than 315 million people and many leaders, it is truly challenging to choose one single historical personality to carry the title “most influential.” However in a logical categorization of front-runners it is not difficult to have Abraham Lincoln take the trophy. Without Lincoln the sequence of heroes, do-gooders, martyrs and influencers does not open wide enough across time for a multicultural America. Without him this might not be the same “one country” in the world’s collective conscience.

Pop goes President Lincoln

Home is Where WE Make It

We appreciate life more since September 11, 2001. We survived it; we helped, and found lots of humanity in the middle of tragedy. We absorbed it and grew into better people. Then we moved on, because at that point New York was home, and “the show must go on.” We love the Big Apple with its many challenges and magical moments because it reminded “us” that more than nationalities we are “simply” human no matter what and wherever we go.

The “Tribute in Light” marks where the World Trade Center buildings stood to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on Tuesday, September 11. Getty Images.

Who Am I?

#Me in two and a half tweets:

•    Pragmatic-eccentric-contradicting, imaginative, complex & silly, upgradable & optimistic, conceptual. Survivor.

•    Music maniac, curious, a geek of bicultural realities and polyglot aspirations, goal-driven, thirsty & hedonistic.

•    Impatient but adaptable, persistent yet resourceful. Appreciative.

Looking at dreams into action