iDO - reshaping high school education

Industrial Design Outreach (iDo) is a program led by Professor Martin Linder that puts creativity back into high schools through the help of SF State students studying in the Department of Design and Industry (DAI).

The budget cuts affecting all of us: public schools and California universities. First to go are art related classes, since academic ones have more priority. But being in a public school, especially in the inner city, lacks a well rounded form of education as it is. To deny students of being able to explore nor develop an artistic side when most of them don’t have that option because of socioeconomic reasons and/or support.

It’s my second semester as a mentor for iDo, and we’re currently finishing up the Community Bench Project with Thurgood Marshall High School.(Shop class retooled at S.F. high school) The students each did their own panel, which will be on the back of the bench showing their interpretation of their version of what community means to them.

As a San Francisco native, I attended public schools and grew in the same neighborhood as these kids. I can very well relate to how a lot of the students go through on a daily basis because I’ve been there. I wish when I was younger I had this kind of a program that presented such hands-on experiences and mentors to show me such opportunity of creativity.

Refined Problem/Purpose Statement

Problem: The children’s Whirlwind Roughrider wheelchair lacks amenities for customization for each child so that they can feel ownership of their chair. Wheelchairs and their users are attached with social stigmas and viewed as hindrances in society.

Purpose: To develop a kit and manual which can be customized to each individual’s wheelchair to promote a positive emotional attachment and ownership to their chair.

Problem/Purpose Statements

Problem: Child Whirlwind Roughrider wheelchair users lack the use of a table on the current model.
Purpose: To implement a table that is suitable for the children’s Whirlwind Roughrider wheelchair and determine what are the best available materials that can be easily sourced by people in third world countries.Problem: The children’s Whirlwind Roughrider wheelchair is not personalized to each child so that they can feel ownership of their chair. Wheelchairs and their users are attached with social stigmas and viewed as hindrances in society.
Purpose: To develop a kit which can be customized to each individual’s wheelchair to promote a positive emotional attachment and ownership to their chair.
o Lacks (modification) amenities accessorize and personalization

Problem: Certain child riders of the Whirlwind Roughrider wheelchair lack proper back support; especially during such a crucial development age.
Purpose: To develop a back support that a child can use whilst using the adolescent Whirlwind Roughrider wheelchair in order to maintain a proper posture to promote positive growth during their childhood in the chair.

Users; Stakeholders; Beneficiaries: Third world country children that are in need of manual wheelchairs; Whirlwind Wheelchairs
Environment/Location: Third world countries
Reference: Whirlwind Wheelchairs

Green, the color of money

Being a San Francisco native, it's pretty much been drilled into my head to be green. Now even more so it has been brought to a level of awareness that is practically second nature. Being in the design field makes it an even more important to have to be environmentally conscious.

Most clients think being green may burn a hole in their pockets. But in the long run, it is actually more cost effective, as so described in Green design can be profitable. The public can’t be convinced that it’s good for the environment or beneficial for health reasons. But designers for clients who themselves have customers, if you speak in terms of dollars, that’s what makes sense (pun intended).

About Me

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Arts with a Concentration in Product Design and Development. As for career aspirations, I'm not quite sure what it is I want to do yet when I do obtain my degree. I'm very open to anything and everything, but do hope that I can gain some experience at a design firm through internships.

It's funny, yet frustrating when people ask what it is I'm majoring in. They often assume I'm doing fashion, but when I tell them that I'm actually doing product design, I always have to explain what it actually is. It's everything! Everything from the chair you sit on, the mobile phone in your pocket, to the pen your writing with. And they say, "Oh..." but often with a perplexed look of course. Hopefully one day I'll just be able to show them.