APPLYING THE TOOL OF VISUALIZATION     1. Challenge & Selection:     As an Architectural Designer, I am prone to come across challenges and work towards generating  innovative solutions to the problems that I have to solve. In my line of work, Visualization and  establishing narratives through storytelling or storyboarding is the foremost approach towards  problem-solving, or in our case: understanding Design Briefs. We were divided into groups and were  supposed to design an installation for an upcoming arts festival that established its theme as Thread:  establishing the idea of connection. Our objective was to create a minimum of 2 installation ideas that  fit the size parameters and resonated with the festival's theme. Given the festival's scale, our target  group was stretched wide open, and we had to consider practical aspects more than conceptual ones.     Therefore, as a Design Thinking Tool, we mutually decided to go ahead with the Visualization  method. As designers, we had a three-fold target stakeholder group. We had to ensure that our  installation would be understandable by the masses, impress the curators and resonate with the group's  common design philosophy. Hence, the first step we had to take was to derive visual inferences from  concepts, keywords and make a list of visually rich elements that would resonate with the general  public.     2. Application:      Individually and collectively, we would attempt basic conceptual ideas and iterate on the limitations  given to us. We started using sketches, digital software, and physical models to establish a  fundamental notion that the installation represented. The initial concept sketches showcased varied  instances of how certain visual elements that incited ideas of childhood memory work when being  used or understood by people.

We had two sets of discussions with the curators. The first discussion would shortlist a preferred  design choice and suggest iterations to the chosen design based on vital practical aspects. One of the  methods we decided to use from the design thinking visualization toolkit was the Straw man graphic.    The straw man graphic used would be chosen for its method of representing problems and points of  the issue via a human form, aiding in working towards illustrating ideas, solutions and other methods  of approach. As it is a simple method that uses basic shapes and available iconography, it can help  establish basic conceptual notions of the project.    To gain deeper insights we would go forward with an online and an offline survey that would help us  gain insight into the minds of a host of people from different backgrounds. The survey would aim  towards asking a few general questions such as:

I.  On what ideas or topics does one feel connect with other individuals?

II.  What elements remind them of their childhood and induce a feeling of nostalgia?

III.  What types of feelings do the concept sketches generate within them, and if they believe that  they would enjoy experiencing such spaces in a tangible and physical?

Based on the overall responses of the survey, the final visual elements and physical form of the  installation would be selected, and the final design resolution phase can take place. Post a second  discussion with the curators, the design would be finalised, albeit with minor points feedback; post  which the final design points would be defined, along with the building materials to be used.     3. Insight:      Through this exercise, what I learned as an individual as well as a group member was the importance  of communication and feedback via visuals. Earlier, a medium that was to represent ideas and design  concepts, can now be used as a potential method to establish the basic core ideas and approach that  takes into consideration not only the design philosophy but also the interests and mindset of the  stakeholders involved in the project. While all the members of the design team are bustling with ideas  and creativity, the straw man approach adds more to the definition of the problem and depth about the  core concept of the brief.      4. Approach:     While the visualization approach does help individuals in the field of architectural design, the design  thinking tool that I believe can be very helpful, despite not being used much in our field, is the mind  mapping technique. If given a choice, I would attempt the project this time via the mind mapping  method, albeit as an additional method to the already existing visualization technique to have a  graphic, that is cumulative of all the necessary data and parameters of consideration. I believe that  mind mapping can be called a visually driven tool, and it also aids in keeping information concise and  comprehendible in a fast method. This method can speed up the design thinking process whilst  keeping all the necessary information in place. Hence, it shall aid in the collective presentation of vital  information.     As I learned the various approaches that can be undertaken towards visual thinking and  communication, I believe that I would apply the different visual approaches, whether they be for  separate projects, or all together for a single work opportunity.

