Spotlight on Learning Profile:
Internet design studio product of collaboration

By Susan Green
Staff writer

What began as a chance encounter in 1996 resulted in an innovative online partnership between Eva Maddox Associates, a research-based design firm located in Chicago, and Dave Matthews' senior studio in interior architecture.

Matthews met Maddox while working with John Weigand, of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on an experimental design project using the Internet as a means of collaboration. Maddox happened upon the project and decided she wanted to become involved.

The multidisciplinary Internet design studio, now in its fourth year, gives students the opportunity to work with award-winning design professionals on real projects. The process is rigorous and expectations are high. Students provide background research, formal and informal, for the projects and work in small groups with the designers. Over the years the collaboration has grown to include Miami University and BHDP Architects in Cincinnati.

"The goal of this collaboration is about creating good thinkers," Matthews said. "While technically intensive, it's less about technology and more about training design students to react to a variety of situations." It's an intellectually rigorous exercise, but as Matthews points out, "design is an intellectual activity."

A recent joint studio project involved the creation of a brand aimed at technology-curious 10 to 14 year old urban residents. Three teams were assigned to develop a package of three environments: a learning lab, a satellite of the learning lab and an exploratorium that would function as a museum.

"Good partners are the key to making this work," Matthews said. "We are extremely fortunate that Eva Maddox Associates and BHDP Architects give freely of their time and expertise. They are extraordinarily generous and dedicated to education."

Matthews also teaches second year students how to integrate technology into their designs. This class is a way for students to begin to think cognitively about design from digital imaging to reality. Students deconstruct an actual object, such as a typewriter or toaster, and they design a space from the various components and build a cardboard model using 3-D software. They display their work on the Internet.

Samples of the joint studio team projects can be found at:

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/js2000/team1/

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/js2000/team2/

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/js2000/team3/

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/js2000/team4/

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/js2000/team5/

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/js2000/team6/

Examples of second year student Web sites for integration of technology can be found at:

http://ia.hcs.ohiou.edu/courses/hcia201/winter2001/

David Matthews, assistant professor of interior architecture, is among faculty participating in the first University-wide "show and tell" about best learning-centered practices, Spotlight on Learning, May 16 to 17. Outlook and Outlook Online are bringing you a sneak peek with profiles of participating faculty members appearing in each issue through May 15.

Registrations for Spotlight on Learning, a multi-venue event, are now being accepted. To register online, go to www.ohiou.edu/learningfair/register.html. Registered participants will be entered into a drawing for one of four $500 professional development certificates to be applied to a continuing education event of their choosing.

The event will also include presentations by Presidential Teacher Awardees, Distinguished Professors, and University Professors, as well as President Robert Glidden, Interim Provost Gary Schumacher, Incoming Provost Stephen Kopp, and guest keynote speaker from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. Randall Phillis.

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