2020 has not been great for the world and affected the way we learn, interact, and work. As design students, we are used to the energy of the studio environment, being able to bounce ideas off each other and to seek feedback. Classes are important, but the amount of learning that takes place in a studio is unimaginable. Unfortunately, the pandemic displaced students taking them out of the studio and into their homes. FEAR NOT! We thought of a few ideas that you could use to design at home!
1. Create Your Space
Just like a studio, it’s important to have a good workspace that is comfortable for you! You have more freedom to set up so it can be more enjoyable at home. Be sure to have good lighting, comfortable seating, having all your supplies nearby, and decor that brings a smile because this will make a huge difference! However, it is important to separate your workspace from your rest space as much as possible. Not many people have the mental fortitude to stop themselves from hopping back into bed when it’s only a few feet away. Besides, separating the two spaces helps your brain delineate between working and resting.
2. Virtual Studio Sessions
Ask your classmates if anyone is interested in joining you in a video call to work together! While this can’t replace the studio environment, it’s nice to have company while working. You are all there for each other if anyone wants an opinion or has a question! Whether virtual or not, the knowledge of knowing someone is present might help you be more productive than alone.
There are many software out there to help optimize this process like Discord, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or even Facetime for one on one conversations.
3. Back to Basics
With the pandemic causing more screen time more than before, try to do more of your inventory, analysis, and concept development on paper! Trust me, you’ll save your eyes in the long run! If you absolutely can’t do without your computer then make sure to grab a pair of blue-light glasses. However, we hope you do take the time to practice analog methods too! I think we’ve made a compelling case for sketching in The Argument for Hand Sketching series on Instagram or article.
4. Being Resourceful
We have lost access to the amazing tools that are available at school or office. With no plotters, 3D printers, and other materials at your disposal, try using what you have at home to create your models and other graphic materials for projects. This will challenge your creativity and possibly save you money that would have been spent on materials! Break out those legos or Froebel blocks?!?
Need some help? Check out our Youtube page for tutorials! Click here!
5. Explore your Environment
Many of us left our hometown for our studies so, with remote learning, you are back home for the first time in a while. Take this to explore your hometown! What do you notice now that you didn’t notice before? What has changed? Bring a sketchbook and a camera with you to document. This is not just a good sketching exercise, but will also help you work on your analytical skills and give new sources of inspiration! With the globalization of architecture, you might find a unique architectural quality in your hometown that might not be prevalent in other places. This might be a great segway for your thesis too!
6. Reading List
Fewer distractions mean more time to catch up on some reading materials that piled up high! I haven’t fully taken advantage of reading during this time, but as a designer, it’s important to have a strong knowledge of theoretical design principles too. We’ve gathered a list of essential to fun coffee table book from our fans! Browse the list from our website! Click here.
*This is a growing list of books on our shelves so shoot us a message if you feel like we need to add something on there!
7. Taking a Break!!!!
Constantly working actually makes us less productive and is harmful to our mental health! These effects are further exacerbated by the stress brought on by the pandemic. As Matthew Allen eloquently wrote in a news article for Harvard GSD,
“We must keep space and time open for imagining other possibilities.”
It’s important to realize that an hour of focused work can probably make up 2 or 3 hours of passively working! This will give your brain the break it needs and be productive. In an age of fast content creation and productivity, it may feel wrong to be unmotivated to do work however mental burnout is real! Understand your work habits so that you can succeed whether designing at home or in life!