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Objective: Engage in a collaborative brainstorming session to generate ideas for a community monument that reflects the values, memories, and stories of your community.
Duration: ~2-3 hrs
Materials:
Post-it notes, whiteboard, Markers, Sketching materials
Brainstorming Chart!
Use the slides to guide you through the steps
Step 1:
You will begin by adding to a chart drawn on the wall or white board. Use post-it notes and write as many as you can.
Use single words to describe your community? Talk about the people, places, unique aspects, food, and general 'vibes'. | Write a memory you associate with your community |
What issues are important to you, your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your fellow community members? | What living individuals or historical figures (or groups) have made a big impact in your community and how? Has an important event happened in your community? |
Step 2:
Select a few post-it notes that inspire you from the chart.
Return to your seat and sketch potential monument ideas that represent the selected concepts, memories, or stories.
Go back to the chart and stick your sketches next to the corresponding post-it notes.
Step 3:
Your teacher will start assigning groups based on similar interests. These groups or partnerships will be the students you will work with for the rest of this studio.
Reflect on the following questions with your group/partner:
- How are your ideas similar or different?
- Which would you like to pursue further?
- Did someone else have an idea you might be interested in?
- What are your next steps?
Together, sketch 3-5 of your consolidated ideas!
Deliverables:
Take pictures and scans of your ideas, starting at post-its to sketches all the way to your consolidated group sketches.
Post on the Response Tab.
Brainstorming can be a great way to generate ideas.
Think about how your monument would make a valuable contribution to your community and what form it might take (just a loose idea is fine at this stage). Remember that the form of the monument is up to you. It could be permanent or temporary; made with long-lasting materials or ones that will biodegrade. We encourage you to be creative!
Brainstorming Tips
1. Wild ideas lead to creativity: do not filter anything out at this stage, even if it doesn't seem "practical" or "possible." Keep an open mind - ideas can become more specific and feasible as we develop them further. At this stage, anything is possible.
2. Aim for as many ideas as possible: whatever comes to mind, get it down on paper or typed into a meaningful document - make sure you're creating a record of what you're thinking. These thoughts can be words, visuals, ideas, images, materials, objects, places - at this stage, it doesn't matter.
3. Inspiration can come from anywhere: look around your home, your school, and your neighborhood for inspiration. Explore any designs, artworks, sculptures, and installations that come to mind, and record the maker/designer/artist if possible. This helps build your knowledge of the world of art, design, and monumental architecture and allows you to talk more knowledgeably about your work and research.