Project SOLVE for Design Week Portland (with AKQA)
How can we redefine design thinking?
Through a collaboration between the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and AKQA, we crafted an educational program for participants ages 10 – 14 who worked with OMSI and AKQA designers and scientists to tackle design challenges using technology, teamwork and a modified design thinking process.
The storytelling behind the event came to life as we recruited engaged these young creative minds to join the SOLVE team — an imaginative, top secret agency founded to harness the power of design for good. I pitched, co-created and co-directed this design education event that was part of Design Week Portland in 2017.
The SIX stages of Design Thinking posters
“The storytelling behind the event came to life as we recruited engaged these young creative minds to join the SOLVE team.”
From confidential briefing documents mailed to participants a week prior, to hand scanners at the door, to rebranding the entire AKQA office as SOLVE HQ, no detail was spared. The workshop involved 21st-century skills (communication, collaboration, creative problem solving, critical thinking), and testing and iteration, and leveraged the power of narrative and new technologies to realize a successful completion. Their mission was to help a team of "imaginary" scientists in Siberia investigate a newly discovered mineral capable of producing clean energy.
The event explored how emerging technologies can be used to enhance interactive learning. Throughout the day, agents designed shelters and mineral transporters, explored the basecamp in Siberia using Leap Motion maps, inspected mineral samples using AR, and flew drones through a recently unearthed cave system in VR.