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Task One

The first day was intensive. Deciding what to draw felt epic, what kind of strategy (the what and why) would be best for this task? To make it achievable I went with a subject I like as highlighted by Andrew Price (1), I selected birds. I have seen other designers do this for 365 days with great success, I lasted about 32 days last attempt. The struggle is what to draw. The (when) is decided, I commenced with seven bird sketches on the first and second day, then chose one bird to use a technique on each day thereafter. I wanted to challenge myself to see in how many different ways I could be creative. The conclusion of the task I had an epiphany that practise aligns with embodied knowing explained in "Thingking" (2). From this experience I became aware people preference what they can do easily and enjoy making it easier to practise. While being creative can be easily achieved accomplishing an outcome of commercial quality requires practise. 

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Task Two

The Interaction with dogs was a little challenging although thoroughly entertaining. The inquiry style of this task started that process of seeing beneath the surface of interactions by analysing observations and thinking about whether you asked the right questions and even whether you should have asked more questions. I learned the interactions between same species is called intra-specific and the interactions between different species is called inter-specific interactions (3). Surprisingly some dogs on the bike path don't pay attention to other people. I used my mobile phone to take photos as a record of each interaction. I walk regularly so I incorporated my  interaction task with my Sunday morning walk. I only interacted with dogs that approached me except for Bella, Basil and Watson. The interaction of touching and asking questions about each dog created feelings of happiness between myself, the dogs and owners. I collected qualitative information through observation (the dog appeared happy the signifier was a wagging tail, the dog is friendly the signifier it let me touch it) and contextual inquiry (age and name of dogs). I found dogs are very trusting and their human counterparts were their very exuberent advocates and voice. 

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Task Three

Summarising rationalist and phenomenological approaches in design process highlighted how the inclusion of quantitive and qualitative considerations leads to design outcomes that are more multidimensional (4). Quantitative objectives satisfy the need to measure and are tangible. Qualitative experience relevant to design can be measured in the form of observations and is considered mostly intangible, however the difference in design is distinct. The image of the contrasting hospital room designs and the way it affects patients is a good example of the importance of aesthetics for wellbeing. In design process the phenomenological approach of people and environment relationship is a valuable consideration which appears to fit best at the beginning of the design process if possible and again at the feedback stage of the design process, a rationalist approach should be used in conjunction with human experience to meet rigorous requirements such as the physical and tangible. In reflection, to adopt a balance of both philosophies where possible allows for the opportunity of better design outcomes. For a high degree of creativity the less constraints the better in order to explore real innovative and novel possibilities. 

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Task Four

It can be a challenge to think critically and certainly easier to be neutral. The skill of critical thinking is necessary to be objective and analyse your work and the work of others. Without developed critical thinking skills it would be difficult to analyse information or data you have collected to synthesise into design. At the beginning of this task I thought I would struggle with content, however there was a reasonable amount of material to discuss about a mere water bottle design. Overall design process can be complex and an ongoing pursuit requiring refinement. Task 1 to 4 revealed the ontological approach of what we design, designs us back this was particularly the case with the Frank Green products, their philosophy of sustainability and the "why" they started their business.