Sure. Design Thinking is that near-buzzword that can get off track, but what I mean specifically is the idea that anyone can contribute to the design, that proper design processes are inclusive (design “with”, not “for”), that the responsibilities of design innovation can and should come from everywhere. It is the idea that by changing the way groups and organizations think, we approach a more design-friendly environment and greater involvement by all members. The roles and responsibilities of designer, as traditionally viewed, would then morph to manage the array of ideas, using their expertise to shepard a design process that makes sense for the needs, to make the necessary connections that bring innovation to light, and to reduce complexity by maintaining a focus on the design requirements. This is a really rough description of a broad topic that’s part of a larger debate on what design thinking is all about. If you’re familiar with the original concept, as from IDEO’s Ted Brown, then you’re in the ballpark. For an organization like ICT, who is coming from a much more traditional (non-design) culture, this means getting design more involved at all levels; a culture change. (see Switch, and other good books on culture change to a get a sense of that challenge)

Thanks for your feedback on your project. I agree that graphic design, as being part of a design culture with that kind of perspective, is a valuable part of innovation and input at higher levels. That’s a neat aim you’re going for. Hi, Nancy.

I hope this helps to give a sense of what is going on design-wise at the ICT, and to provide a little more inside info on our organization that isn’t apparent from our website or youtube channel, for example. Pleased to meet you both. Please stay in touch.

Best,

Glenn

From: zvezdana stojmirovic [zvezdanas@earthlink.net]

Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 7:55 AM

To: Glenn Storm

Cc: nancyfro@yahoo.com

Subject: RE: greetings and question about graphic design

Hi Glenn, Your answers are great. Here’s a little bit about our research:I’m coauthoring this book with my colleague Nancy Froehlich (ccd here), graphic design professor at Oregon State U in Corvallis, Oregon. We’re looking at the role of graphic design in interdisciplinary practices. We recognize that new knowledge often happens when disciplines intersect. We also see how in some instances graphic design is moving from being a “servant” (client gives you brief, you fulfill it), to getting “a seat at the big table” as it were, becoming a core process that can help all kinds of teams achieve all kinds of results. Our book, aimed at students, professionals and design enthusiasts, attempts to answer the big question, “what is interdisciplinary graphic design?” by capturing a broad range of examples, as we look to the future of our ever-shifting profession. In addition, we want to offer readers sample projects and tips that will assist them in becoming more “interdisciplinary”. Our examples are diverse, from self-initiated artsy collaborations, to client driven work, to work done for social change, all both in and out of academia. From Bjork, the singer, to IDEO, the design giant. The clinical/military work of the ICT is interesting to us in that it is part-academia, and yet has such real-world applications that help solve pressing social problems. The graphic designer’ career path is changing, and basically, we want to show how being “interdisciplinary” can lead to great jobs in all kinds of industries. What you’ve written is right along those lines, particularly this segment: “an internal infrastructure of design, spread widely through the organization, would help all aspects of what we do, from grant proposals and presentations, to more efficient production practices, to building a more robust culture of innovation by way of bridging gaps between cultures and fostering ‘design thinking’ across the institute,” If I may ask, what part of “design thinking” would help bridge gaps between cultures? And what part would assist innovation? I hope you’ve gotten a sense of our project. Best, Zvezdana —–Original Message—–

From: Glenn Storm

Sent: Mar 23, 2012 9:07 AM

To: zvezdana stojmirovic

Subject: RE: greetings and question about graphic design

Hi Zvezdana,

Our research institute is part academia and part development, as applied research. The ICT’s mandate is to take core research and combine it with expertise from the entertainment industries of gaming and film. As such, there has been a need for our organization to recognize design as a way to help bridge gaps that span these two different worlds. Some needs include the recognition of design, and quality in general, as a valuable boost to gaining funding for further research, gaining cultural recognition for the institute as a whole, but probably the biggest gains involve efficiency brought about by applying best practices in design and development.

When I started here some years ago, the production practices were exclusively a kind known as Waterfall; in short, plan first, follow plan until it is complete. One of the major best practices that I’ve championed is the use of Agile development; in short, identify the priority needs, adjust that list constantly with input from end users and stakeholders, always tackle highest priority needs first, work until time runs out. A brief, but somewhat entertaining primer on Waterfall vs Agile can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDDO3ob-4ZY

Since we have begun to implement development methodologies such as this, those efforts have shown significant efficiency gains, significant quality boosts, and generally much more relaxed and enthused teams. Using this kind of methodology in during the design processes (from UI development, to tool development, level design and game design) has been somewhat of a game-changer, in terms of how development can then be targeted to core needs, with less waste, more time to focus on the unknowns. And for a research institute, that last one is a biggie.

All this is to say, as I research Design with a capital “d”, I find ways to bring the kind of valuable knowledge back to the ICT and champion its application (with some modification for our unique needs), demonstrate the value through action, and in the process, try to gain momentum on a greater design focus at the institute. I have made formal a proposal as well, to leadership and stakeholders, to highlight how an internal infrastructure of design, spread widely through the organization, would help all aspects of what we do, from grant proposals and presentations, to more efficient production practices, to building a more robust culture of innovation by way of bridging gaps between cultures and fostering ‘design thinking’ across the institute, to name a few of the ideas proposed.

Hope that helps to illustrate what I meant.

Arno Hartholt is project leader of the Art Group here at the institute, and that sounds to me like the most likely group that would have needs involving graphic design in particular. Allow me to ‘introduce’ you in another email.

Perhaps you could share with me some of the reasons you were drawn to the ICT, what you hope to see in the ICT and how you might see contributions you make that can benefit the Art Group in particular? That will help in my introduction.

Hope this helps.

Glenn

From: zvezdana stojmirovic [zvezdanas@earthlink.net]

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:13 PM

To: Glenn Storm

Subject: RE: greetings and question about graphic design

Glenn,

Thanks so much for your answers.

I had a couple of q’s regarding this comment you made:

“I do champion design best practices, and encourage further development of the ICT’s use of design as a more formal part of our organization.”

What do you mean by “design best practices”? Could you give me an example?

How do you think design could become a “more formal part of ICT?”

And, yes, I’d love to get in touch with your colleague.

Thanks so much,

Zvezdana

—–Original Message—–

From: Glenn Storm

Sent: Mar 22, 2012 8:57 AM

To: zvezdana stojmirovic

Subject: RE: greetings and question about graphic design

Hello Zvezdana,

Thank you for getting in touch and for your interest. Yes, I happen to be on a couple of the projects that use virtual reality for clinical purposes; projects called Bravemind and STRIVE. These employ Head-Mounted Displays, biometric harnesses (a cap with electrodes) and game engine technology (Unity and Gamebryo, currently) to approach immersive experiences that can be used for research, exposure therapy and stress resilience training.

We have an Art Group, sort of an internal art production studio, that handles the many projects’ art needs, including graphic design. Most of the work done by the AG is in production of the game engine assets, including 3D modeling, rigging, and animation. On occasion, there will be tasks that require graphic design, such as in poster design for conferences, print and online media design for publication, or in service of special needs for projects, such as training materials.

If interested to hear more from our Art Group, I would be happy to put you in touch with Arno Hartholt, who is the Project Leader who manages the AG. I do champion design best practices, and encourage further development of the ICT’s use of design as a more formal part of our organization. Graphic design is one area of design which would fit into what I imagine our design organization to one day be.

If there is any more information I can provide, or if you would like to be put in touch with someone here at the institute, based on the above, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

Hope that helps

 

Take care,

Glenn Storm

Game Designer

============

From: zvezdana stojmirovic [zvezdanas@earthlink.net]

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 5:20 PM

To: Glenn Storm

Subject: greetings and question about graphic design

 

Hi Glenn,

My name is Zvezdana Stojmirovic, I am a graphic designer teaching at MICA in Baltimore.

I’m working on a book about interdisciplinary grpahic design, and was really compelled by the work of ICT, particularly the projects that use virtual reality for clinical purposes (Iraq/Afghan project, for example).

I’m interested in what is the role of graphic design in this work? Would you be able to tell me a little bit about that?

How do you rely on graphic designers to help accomplish the work? If there is a graphic designer you could put me in touch with, I would be most thankful.

Best regards,

Zvezdana Stojmirovic