Giga-Mapping Part 1 (28 August 2019)
Mapping Together
Giga-mapping is a rather new method of combining various mapping types (mind map, concept map, scenarios, processes etc.) into a interrelated system. Preseetha (Improving Quality of Urban Green Spaces) and I teamed up for the 1st task. We had to map out our individual research projects. Although both of us had very different projects, the overlapping areas and themes started to arise when we were mapping together. This new way of thinking re-investigates the relationship between design and systems thinking.
Mapping Linkages
After mapping seperately, we were tasked to combine both of our maps together into one. First, we identified and wrote down the important keywords and themes that were present in both projects. Second, we started to map the linkages between these keywords and see how these are related to our projects. Instead of finding the end solutions to the problems, it is more important to find the intersections and links as these are the areas where interventions could take place.
This activity helped us to realise there is much more space for exploration, the interdisciplinary nature of our project and how we could benefit from collaboration.
Giga-Mapping Part 2 (4 September 2019)
Finalise Mapping
This week Preeseetha and I continued to work on the combined map from the previous week. We added more keywords, linkages, and more details that helped us better explain our projects.
Sense Sharing
Each group took turns to share their combined map with the class. This gave us a sense of the interrelations between the other projects. This step was essential as our next task was to combine into a bigger group (group of 5) to do a synthesised map.
Giga-Mapping Part 3 (11 September 2019)
Synthesised Mapping
I worked with Abi, Dana, Javier and Preseetha for the synthesised map as our projects revolve around the theme of Culture & Community while the other 5 classmates were in the Tech & Futures team.
Combining 5 individual projects together on a single map seemed like a daunting task. Our 1st step was to choose a type of synthesis. After discussion, we decided on the timeline format. The timeline format shows the chronological sequence of events. It is useful for describing processes, proposing possible futures, and also good for positioning different scenarios.
We came up with a list of overlapping keywords and themes between the 5 projects:
- Disconnection
- Space
- Time
- Interaction
- Sustainability
- Community
- Culture
- Material Culture
- Awareness (Reflection)
- Role of Designer
- Change
- Value
- Meaning
- Communication
- Lifestyle
- Language
- Knowledge
- Co-Creation
- Play
- Object
- Memories
- Alienation
- Well-Bering
- Behaviour
- Survival
- Policies
- Scarcity
- Users
- Experience
System Sharing
The Tech & Futures team chose to use the zip analysis method for their synthesised map. The zip analysis method generates innovations rooted within the system. The 1st step is to zoom and search the map for points to investigate future. the 2nd step is to speculate on possible interventions, ideas or innovations. The last step is to reexamines problems, pain points, risk points and leverage points. The group was looking at time and how it affected each project. The Tech & Futures group had a more pragmatic approach while the Culture & Community group took a more bottom-up approach.
Finalising a Design System
For the final map, we worked with Harah to combine all 10 projects into a singular design system. First, we identified what we wanted to achieve collectively in our desirable future (necessary pre-conditions). Second, we thought about what is needed in the present that would help us reach our goals (the known domain). Last, we identified the gaps that could link the 2 ends together.
Sharing Session (16 September 2019)
Final Results
Harah presented our final design system to a combined class with the MA Arts and Cultural Leadership students.
