Hello! This is Hanson’s fourth In-Depth project post. In this blog, I will be reviewing my progress with you, as well as discussing how I incorporated Edward de Bono’s communication techniques when talking with my mentor!
Progress report
During the past week, I have individually focused on connecting with the software more by experimenting without tutorials. With the basic elements and tools introduced from the first part of the “fire extinguisher” video, I have individually completed the fire extinguisher without the second half of the tutorial. This not only gave me more freedom to explore, but I was also more in control and learned to solve problems along the way.
Through this process, I gained knowledge of new tools utilized in the production process of a tool. One of which is the explode tool, which extracts all the surfaces of a 3D object and separates them into individual tangible elements. When in separate “pieces” they could be transported and copied to other places of the model. Along with learning the explode tool, I also learned about its counterpart. You guessed it, it’s called join tool, it basically just undo the actions of the explode tool by joining multiple 2d planes to create one 3D object.
Completing the fire extinguisher in about 3 days, I was able to recreate a near-exact design from just a sketch used for the previous examples. Here is an un-rendered version of the fire extinguisher. (If I had rendered it my room would sound like an airport)
Upon finishing the introductory course and getting a basic understanding of the software, I am now able to create basic shapes and designs using Rhino. This is why, today, I and my mentor discussed my upcoming final project, which we want to start ASAP to prevent incompletion.
How I Listen to my mentor?
Yesterday, I and my mentor discussed the following “final project” which will include both knowledge from the software, as well as knowledge of the design process. In one of Bono’s lessons, he mentions the importance of listening and respecting the one who is speaking. Not only listening, he highly encourages the importance of listening consciously and really understanding the ideas others are sharing.
In my discussion with my mentor, he gave some really constructive advice while using the software, one specific topic he emphasized is to not focus on the software too much when designing. This idea focuses on emphasizing the vision rather than the actual model, and constantly refine it as you go. He mentions how important it is to “get stuff on the page” as soon as possible and to not stare at a blank canvas for too long, even if you’re going to delete it later.
How do I ask my mentor questions?
Recalling Bono’s advice, I realized that asking questions is somewhat of an “art”. Now you’re going to criticize me and say, “Hanson how is asking questions an art?”. Well, in this session with my mentor, I realized that asking valuable questions can do way more than just getting an answer, it can create a conversation, or even generate new ideas. During this discussion, I also questioned how I can get ideas about the final project, considering I wanted to create something for the community. He later recalled a quote he took from a previous lesson of his, “a need is a verb” thus people don’t need a vase, they need to enjoy flowers and display them. This focused me on creating something that meant more, and eventually guided me towards a better understanding of why we design.
I have found that Bono’s techniques, were not as a task to me as I progressed with my mentor, it was more so of a habit. Gaining these communicational skills and tools as I focused on the topics. Reflecting back, I realized the importance of these skills, and how they have allowed me to learn more effectively.
What’s next?
Following next time, I will be discussing the progress with the final project, I will most likely be drafting out the design by next time. I am hoping to create something for the community, something fun to incorporate into the public. Hopefully, I can make it a reality!
Until next time, signing off
Hanson