Innovator's Space

Describe The marshmallow challenge was attempted a second time as proof of improvement for both teams from the first attempt. Each group had two chances to build the highest structure with the same material restrictions. Despite planning to improve upon the stable structure from the engineering group from last time, I decided to join the second group to experience what I perceived to be some sort of miracle. I needed to understand the process behind their success and obtain further insight. I also reasoned that the clashing personalities of the engineering group was going to hamper progress, so I resolved to take a secondary helper role in the miracle group. My group first discussed a concept to build around--such was sorely needed due to the nature of the previous build. It appears that the original idea was to recreate a tepee with minimal effort to elevate the marshmallow. Our group headed out to a slow start as we were on different wavelengths of what to do. Thankfully, the mem...

Describe The marshmallow challenge is an exercise for teamwork, an essential skill to utilize in design thinking. A team must--with a limited supply of noodle sticks, tape, and string-- build the tallest stable structure that can hold a marshmallow at the very top. I unfortunately did not participate in the first marshmallow challenge due to certain conditions. I was able to catch a glimpse of the two results. The first structure was made by a group consisting of many engineering students, featuring great structural stability through the use of triangular supports. The second structure was difficult to describe, but outdone the first in height. Think/Feel Aside from feeling terrible from my absence and condition, I was genuinely surprised to see the second structure win. It had little stability and no resemblance to the original concept or method it was supposedly based off. I felt that having too many of the same minds potentially led members of the first group to clash and dela...

Describe The second introductory exercise to the design thinking process was to create an ideal locker for a partner much like the ideal birthday from the first exercise. My partner this time was Andy Chu, and we were able to converse a little more in the interviews. The topic of lockers, however, was grounded in reality and somewhat of a stale topic, leaving both of us dumbfounded as for what we want from an ideal locker. The end results of both lockers turned out unimaginative as neither of us were that motivated or interested in the ideal locker. I happened to not use my assigned locker this year due to its terrible condition while Andy only temporarily stored items there. We generally don't and don't plan to try other activities at our lockers. Think/Feel Everything felt empty and a little boring. There was merit in discovering our preferences amidst this creativity challenge, but our efforts ended up in failure. I fear for the potential of my creativity. Evaluate ...

Describe The first abstract design thinking project assignment was to envision an ideal birthday for an assigned partner while the partner in turn design your birthday. The class was introduced to the overall process of design thinking: empathize > define > ideate > prototype > test. To help better embed the methodology to our general approach to life and problem solving, the birthday challenge was designed as an introductory exercise. We were to interview our partner in two phases, identify the problem, brainstorm the solutions, receive feedback, and then design the ideal birthday for our partner. I was assigned to work with Wayne Hsu, and we faced several problems. Both of us known each other for years and have a fundamental connection due to our awkward place in social relations. Wayne had trouble opening up or giving a definite answer although I already had considerable empathy with him. None of us were truly able or willing to breach new grounds in the interview, so ...