Blog2 - Work on Assignment2

The Experience

This week I have been involved in a range of activities which have contributed to my understanding and progress of the project. In class, I have learnt the principles of top-down thinking and bottom-up action, as well as the 4E approach to green design. I completed the 'Ethics Module' which consisted of four quizzes and put together a structure for my Design301 Stand-up presentation the following week.

Figue 1.0 One Completed Ethical Module Quiz

Figure1.1 Presentation Structure

In addition, I undertook a 'Stakeholder Analysis', where potential stakeholders were categorised and analysed to ensure that the needs of each group were accurately identified in preparation for future 'persona' development. The most challenging part of these activities was the ethics module. At first, I thought it would be similar to Last semester's proposal, only expanding my ethical considerations. However, I soon realised that I needed to study and analyse each module on the Ethics Module website step by step.

Figure2.0 Stakeholders Analysis

Reflection in Action

Reflecting on this week's experience, I found the application of top-down thinking and bottom-up action to be quite enlightening, helping me to combine strategic thinking with practical action. The 4E approach to green design has broadened my perspective on sustainable design principles. Completing the Ethics Module was particularly challenging; I initially thought it would be a simple module, but I was proven wrong. I realised that it was necessary to delve deeper into each module, which required more in-depth study and analysis than I had anticipated. Despite the difficulties, the process deepened my understanding of the ethical considerations of research, which were crucial to my project. The stakeholder analysis was a fruitful exercise as it provided a solid foundation for accurately pinpointing the needs of each group when creating future personas.

Theory

This week's experience has highlighted the importance of combining theoretical understanding with practical application. Top-down thinking and bottom-up action, as well as the 4E approach to green design, are concepts integral to sustainable design and strategic project management. The Deep Engagement with Ethics module reinforces the importance of ethical research practices, emphasising that ethical considerations are not just a formality, but an essential component that needs to be carefully researched and applied. Stakeholder analysis emphasises the need to understand and categorise stakeholders to ensure that their needs are accurately addressed in the design process. These theoretical insights are supported by specialist literature on sustainable design, ethical research and stakeholder management.

Preparation

Moving forward, I plan to further integrate the principles of top-down thinking and bottom-up action, as well as the 4E approach to green design, into my project workflow. Building on my learning from this week's ethics module, I will continue to learn and rigorously apply ethical guidelines to all aspects of my research. For my upcoming Design301 Stand-up presentation, I will refine my structure and practice my presentation to ensure clarity and impact. The Stakeholder Analysis will be used as a reference for developing detailed "personas" to ensure that I accurately capture and meet the needs of different groups. The challenges and learning from this week have given me valuable insights and strategies that I will apply to future activities and stages of the project.