These are photos from my exhibit, Designers_Desk.
This project was birthed from my desire to learn woodworking and build my skill repertoire in this final year of design school. While my experience in woodworking is limited, I aim to make the most of the resources and woodshop facilities available to me during this period.
Additionally, I aim to combat my fear of being a beginner and inspire others to do the same.
My goal was to transform my desk in the studio into a productive space conducive to getting work done. As someone with severe ADHD, I find that maintaining a tidy workspace significantly reduces distractions and helps me stay focused. Additionally, when each item has a designated place, it becomes easier to keep my workspace organized.
Additionally, I aim to combat my fear of being a beginner and inspire others to do the same.
My goal was to transform my desk in the studio into a productive space conducive to getting work done. As someone with severe ADHD, I find that maintaining a tidy workspace significantly reduces distractions and helps me stay focused. Additionally, when each item has a designated place, it becomes easier to keep my workspace organized.
Through conversations with students in the sophomore, junior, and senior cohorts, I’ve observed that nearly everyone has at least one complaint related to their desk or studio environment. Personally, I highly value my desk space in the studio and believe it has the potential to be a positive and productive area for all students in the MDD program. Having a dedicated personal workspace on a university campus is a privilege, and it is essential that we make the most of this rare opportunity.
The "Designer’s Desk" exhibit featured four wooden pieces from my collection, complemented by posters explaining the collection, manuals with QR-coded tags linking to printable copies or digital flipbooks, a booklet cataloging desk objects, a binder of process work, an interactive 3D scale model, handouts inviting guests to design their own desk attachments, and a detailed process board.
What I like about my project is that I am providing the basic instructions for a design, but the student still has full liberty over how their design will be customized.
Although they are following a pattern, the pattern is a blank canvas for students to make their own. I only hope to give inspiration to those who need an extra push.
Yet at the same time, if they don’t have the confidence to make their own decisions about designing a wooden piece, they can blindly follow my instructions.
Although they are following a pattern, the pattern is a blank canvas for students to make their own. I only hope to give inspiration to those who need an extra push.
Yet at the same time, if they don’t have the confidence to make their own decisions about designing a wooden piece, they can blindly follow my instructions.
During my exhibit, I encouraged visitors to contribute ideas by writing on handouts what additions they would make to their own studio desks.
