Integrated Design: Learning from Fieldwork

Session II: June 26-July 21

Session II: College/Adult & Pre-College PNNY 0214 Section A

“Fieldwork” introduces students to basic principles of design and representation through engagement with New York City neighborhoods. The objective of the course is to immerse students in the urban environment, to explore notions of sustainability in an urban context, and to understand design as an agent of change. Through hands-on investigation of a New York neighborhood, students consider the integration and balance of ecology, economy, and community. On-site thematic mapping is used as a process of investigation to record and represent these observations. Working on multiple scales, this research leads students to the identification of a “problem” or topic of exploration within the neighborhood from the perspective of a designer. Finally, this exploration guides students to design products, systems, or plans for events that also consider strategies of distribution and audience, the use of local materials, and manufacturing.