Ideation: Intensive Week

During this intensive week, the focus was on a methodical approach to the design process. A central element was working with variants. For each concept, at least three different versions were to be developed. These variants could differ in aesthetic qualities, structural principles, connection techniques, material concepts, or functional approaches. The aim was to make different solution paths visible and comparable.
Another key aspect was the use of models as an integral part of the working process. Models were not intended as final representations of a design but as tools for clarifying open questions. They were meant to help investigate spatial proportions, functional mechanisms, material behavior, or constructive decisions. Real materials, substitute materials, scaled models, improvised mock-ups, or digital models could all be used, provided they generated relevant insights.
The targeted and efficient use of tools was also addressed. 3D printing was not used for producing complete objects during this week but primarily for smaller elements such as connectors. Open-source libraries for generative connectors or similar components could be used to save time. The focus lay on the insights gained through the model rather than on technically detailed final solutions. Since the available workshop time was limited, a purposeful working method was required. Basic planning was useful, but without aiming for complete decisions in advance. Models were to be built quickly, tested, and revised. When possible, they were evaluated in their actual context of use, since aspects such as scale, weight, and spatial impact could be assessed more reliably there.
Another objective of the week was to define a working title and a clarifying subtitle for each project, summarizing the core idea concisely. This supported conceptual focus and facilitated communication. Supervision was carried out through daily short check-ins, supplemented by the possibility to ask additional questions when needed.