DiscoverDesign: More than just architecture
At its core, DiscoverDesign.org is all about design challenges.
by Jessica Cilella, Web Editor
Launched in 2012, the website gives students and teachers a place to work together and find solutions to real world challenges. They have opportunities to sketch school lockers of the future, brainstorm affordable housing prototypes and redesign the block they live on, among many other projects.
“We believe that everyone is a designer. DiscoverDesign gives students a place to try new ideas, whether they’re experienced at design or not. They are excited to show off their work and they gain valuable feedback from their peers, teachers and mentors.”
– Gabrielle Lyon, CAC’s vice president of education and experience
Although the website certainly appeals to students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), DiscoverDesign is a versatile resource that can supplement lessons in a variety of subjects, in or out of the classroom.
Paul Joanes, an architecture teacher at Curie High School in Chicago, said he has enjoyed using DiscoverDesign for several years because it allows him to give feedback to his students while also giving administrators a way to monitor the rigor of his curriculum.
“I would encourage other teachers to use it because it can serve as a portfolio for your students and as evidence of the DOK (depth of knowledge) levels for your class,” he said. “I especially like the use of the Design Process. It enables the teacher and student to pace their projects.”
The Design Process—define the problem, collect information, brainstorm ideas, develop solutions and create a final design— is emphasized throughout the website.
In addition, teachers can customize design challenges to match their lesson plans. Students are encouraged to make designs relevant to their own lives too, by thinking about potential design improvements that exist within their homes, schools and neighborhoods.
“DiscoverDesign isn’t just about architecture,” Gabrielle said. “It’s a valuable tool to teach 21st century skill building and problem solving and has been used in classrooms for project-based learning and even service learning projects.”
Funded by generous sponsors like Hive Chicago, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and The Chicago Community Trust, DiscoverDesign is becoming a leader in digital learning. It is also part of CAC’s larger mission to be an educational resource to the public.
Best of all, it’s free and accessible to anyone worldwide.
A new design
In September 2016, a new and improved DiscoverDesign.org was unveiled. It’s responsive to mobile devices and easier to navigate, with a cleaner design and additional features to help streamline the students’ experience and keep them on track.
“It’s a lot easier now to get on the platform. It has a much more user-centered approach and considers how people might use the Design Process in their classrooms or informal settings.”
– Edgar Quintanilla, manager of DiscoverDesign.org
Students are now able to share their work in a public gallery, or keep it private until they’re ready to unveil it. They have expanded capabilities to upload photos, articles, drawings, social media posts, videos and other “artifacts” to support their designs.
“It gets them to not just use media, but to think critically about it and justify why a piece of media makes sense for their final product,” Edgar said.
In addition, students can earn newly designed digital badges for the skills they gained while working on a design challenge. They have opportunities to select what type of badge they want to work toward, whether it’s a skill badge for categories like hand sketching, photography or digital model making, or a 21st century badge for communication, collaboration or problem solving.
When they complete DiscoverDesign challenges, students walk away not only with a better understanding of the Design Process, but a top-notch digital portfolio that showcases their best work.
What's ahead?
There’s much planned for the future of DiscoverDesign.
After hearing some students might be intimidated by design challenges, the DiscoverDesign team agreed to create “playlists” that will be introduced on the website in 2017.
“A playlist is a tool to help build creative confidence,” Edgar said. “We really do believe that everybody is a designer, but starting to design is the hardest part. Playlists help students get started in thinking toward designing something for their world.”
Students using playlists will have design challenges broken down into a series of mini challenges that will give them reassurance and a deeper understanding of the work they’re doing. Over time, with the use of playlists, they will see how they’ve progressed from novice to competition ready.
Another recent change is the addition of monthly webinars for educators. They include demonstrations on how to best use the website and opportunities to give feedback or ask questions.
The national DiscoverDesign competition is entering its sixth year and the number of participants and pool of architects, engineers and design professionals who judge the entries continues to expand. There are also plans to host more competitions from other organizations on the DiscoverDesign website, including this year’s Chicago Architecture Biennial competition.
“We’re excited about the ways in which the education community has responded to Discover Design,” Gabrielle said. “Schools and afterschool programs alike are putting the platform to work in incredibly creative ways to enable diverse young people to use design thinking to solve real world problems.”