Summary
I was awarded a Faculty Development grant to attend this weeklong design symposium. It was amazing. I got more than I bargained for in this week of Design immersion.
There is nothing like starting off the summer with a little creative bang! I found it in Portland, Maine. The event is “design inquiry”, organized by Margo Halverson, professor of Design at Maine College of Art. The week was a complete immersion into Design consciousness. There were 12 speakers and around 55 participants. The participants ranged from seasoned professionals and design educators to graduate and undergraduate students. The diversity of these people added a balance to the experience, which was equally rich and varied in content. There was little hierarchy. As participants, we were all in this fantastic experience with no expectations for the week but to be inspired.
How can you expect to be inspired? The only way this can be achieved is by aligning yourself with the proper conditions: time, space and attitude. I do not mind being the poster child for "design inquiry". I say this because of my outstanding experience of the week. When it was over I could not believe what had just happened. A week of like-minded, dedicated individuals sharing thoughts and opinions on design. "Design the verb" was on conversation not "Design the noun" which was thought "to make things pretty". This was not a new idea to me but I never had a full on conversation about the difference. Coming from an "esteemed institution of learning and one of high regard for Design", one would expect such deep pontification on profound and primary concepts. No, not quite. I often feel like I’m on an island wishing for rescue. This conversation was my rescue and added worth the price of admission.
I initially felt the need to attend “design inquiry” because of the amazing list of presenters. A principle that I live by is "surround yourself with greatness". It is the only true way to consistently challenge oneself and to assure that you are continually raising the bar, creatively. How do you know if you can run with the big dogs if you are not in the pack? The presenters, which I will mention in the presenter section, where helpful in framing different perspectives on approaching design problems and how they apply it in their work. After each presentation, a profound dialogue opened up. The range of thoughts multiplied when "di" participants stepped in to the discussion and elevated the experience to an exemplary level. The great thing about it was the thoughtfulness of the comments, which were sometimes contradictory, or challenged the concepts presented. There was open opposition and criticism. The nice thing to report is that there was "respect" extended to everyone. The high energy and intensity was moderated with maturity and new perspectives on the topic. Jokingly, I can say we all shared the love of design. There was no complaining, no whining; only respect for each other’s opinions. The egos must have been checked at the city limits of Portland, Maine. Everyone in attendance kept a positive attitude. I very much appreciated it. Ego could have made a destructive experience, but this was not the case.
I recommend attending this event next year. It will inform and inspire your creative life and is worth the time and money to have such a positive experience.
Contact Margo for updates on next year’s event or check the web site: http://www.designinquiry.meca.edu
