Critique is an important part of a typical design pedagogy, but is generally only discussed within formal curricular structures, which do not address informal interactions between students in the design studio. In this study, I report findings from ethnographic observations of a design studio, including occurrences of informal critique that take place outside of the planned curriculum. Types of critique that are observed are detailed, including similarities or differences to critique in typical classroom practice.
3. what is a studio?
A “signature” pedagogy (Shulman, 2005)
!
Classroom/non-classroom
Used for work, meetings, socialization
Individual dedicated space for students
Limited access to outsiders
4. background
Understanding the studio on its own
terms within an emergent design
discipline
Using this understanding of the studio
through enactment of critique to
conceptualize the hidden curriculum
7. literature
Existing research on conceptualizing critique activity
Process model (Oh, et al., 2012)
Development of understanding (Exter, et al., 2009)
Genres (Dannels & Martin, 2008)
Types of knowledge (Uluoglu, 2000)
18. Instigating
Interaction
#
overheard/seen
16
Design talk or work is overseen or overheard
while working separately
39
Casual greetings; “what are you up to?”; “how
was your weekend?”; friendly talk
12
Displaying finished or in-progress work to others
without provocation
planned/scheduled
53
Request to discuss at some point in the future;
planned meeting
request for advice
30
Explicit request for guidance, opinion, or
interpretation
smalltalk/social talk
showing off
Example Interactions
25. discussion
Surface Features
Physicality of space indicates what kinds of interactions
can be supported
The space was designed for certain types of collaboration
Divide between physical and digital spaces
27. discussion
Epistemology
Surface and pedagogical elements of the studio indicate
underlying beliefs
Projection of identity as professional designers
A studio bridge (Brandt, et al., 2011) is co-constructed between
students and the formal pedagogy
29. next steps
Broader analysis of data across two semesters of data collection
Focus on instigating interactions, and how and when these
interactions emerge in the studio space