My reflections of IDE1

I am learning how to create innovative solutions through multi-disciplinary collaborative teams at pace, to think outside the box, challenge everything and to design at a highly holistic product system service level. During these experiences my technical mechanical, electronics and coding skills are all being challenged and stretched still further. My understanding of design and it’s place in society is definately maturing. I have also learnt that I love to use my design skills to tell stories; stories of how the world looks now, my envisions of how it could look better in the future and how I believe we should bridge that gap now. I used to see my wide range of design and engineering skills as a kind of weakness because I didn't know what kind of designer I was, I could do a little of everything, but nothing very well. I have come to realise during IDE that this isn’t a weakness but a strength, it means I can can take on many roles and tasks in a team a bit like a chameleon.

When I was 7 I was told I wouldn’t finish secondary school because of my Dyslexia, so I guess it’s an achievement to even be here and keeping up. The module I’ve actually enjoyed most and pushed myself most in is Critical Historical Studies (my dissertation), I really dislike reading and struggle so much to write my ideas and opinions down. Yet this is the module I couldn’t help but do so and put all my efforts into it. Every Friday was given to reading and researching, my topic is about Dyslexia, Education and Design, and being so close to my heart has meant a lot of self reflection and evaluation, especially when it comes to Dyslexia and Design. It’s given me time to reflect on what I want to use my design skills for and the IDE projects have started to show me how. GoGlobal showed me that when I graduate I want to work in a company focusing on Social Innovation, helping people achieve the things they never thought were possible because of their circumstances.

This last year I have also learnt how to stay true to my desire for an even work-life balance, it’s enabled me to have the time to organise and lead a youth group at my Church.

Looking back I can say that I wasn’t pushing myself in IDE as much as I could have, but I did enough that I was happy to hand in my work and know that I had learnt a lot about project and time management so I could achieve what I did in such a short amount of time and still have a life out-side of IDE. Projects that I used to complete in 3 months I could now do in 3 weeks to the same level.

I have also learnt that I love to use my design skills to tell stories; stories of how the world looks now, my envisions of how it could look better in the future and how I believe we should bridge that gap now. I used to see my wise range of design and engineering skills as a kind of weakness because I didn't know what kind of designer I was, I could do a little of everything, but nothing very well. I have come to realise during IDE1 that this isn’t a weakness but a strength, it means I see an overview of what needs to be done in a project, how long a task should take and then plan when things need to be done by. Knowing a little of everything help me know how a task could be done and then find the best person to execute it or help me do it.