š The Science and Poetry of MessyĀ thinking
So hereās the List of Fun Things to Try with Conceptual Metaphors:
- Start with conceptions, not solutions or tech. Instead of saying āI need a Virtual Design Studioā, ask yourself what the studio space should feel like (using conceptions). What is the āquality without nameā youāre looking for (just because you canāt name this it doesnāt mean you canāt describe it)? Have a look at theĀ dimensions listed hereĀ for ideas and use these to brief, specify and discuss requirements with others. You do not have to fall into the trap of using reductive tech language to ask for what you need for your students.
- Use conceptual metaphors, not tech names. Someone else mentioned this at the CHEAD event, but to call a lecture a āWebinarā is to deliberately draw attention to the technical medium. We donāt call seminars āf2f-inarsā ā¦ (OK, clunky exampleā¦). If an event is a tutorial then itās OK to call it a tutorial regardless of where and how itās arranged ā itās the human value thatās more useful to communicate than the medium or mode.
- Make some key things more complex, not less. If you need a particular atmosphere or feeling (a āquality without nameā) in your studio or class then state that clearly. Be confident about your uncertainty ā describe this as boundaries of knowledge rather than just ignorance (youāre technically an agnotologist). But donāt hide it either ā be open about how we use uncertainty with colleagues and especially students (give them something solid if they need it).
- Be critical and reflective when you do this. I havenāt touched on the dark side of this type of cognition (it can be very dark indeed) so make use of the other major tool in our design toolkits ā our ability to evaluate the process at the same time as engaging in that process. Using some simple, critical frames to help you critique from other perspectives.