A Macintosh Design Studio
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Date
1988
Authors
Brown, G. Z.
Novitski, B. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Center for Housing Innovation, University of Oregon
Abstract
During the past year at the University of Oregon, we have conducted an experimental design
studio in which each student had an Apple Macintosh SE microcomputer on his or her studio
desk. Each term we experimented with a variety of software, furniture arrangements, and
pedagogical approaches to integrating computers in design teaching. Like most others who have
conducted such experiments, we encountered problems in trying to use hardware and software
which is fundamentally inappropriate for the intuitive, graphic, and creative processes
characteristic of preliminary design. However, we solved many of these problems and have
produced useful techniques that may form the beginnings of a new approach to the use of
computers in architecture schools.
Our results fall in three major categories: 1) pedagogical discoveries about learning to design
with a computer, which is greater than the sum of learning to design and learning about
computers; 2) design exercises based on the Macintosh environment, exploiting the unique
graphic qualities of the machine while simultaneously developing the ideas and drawing skills
needed in the preliminary stages of design; 3) descriptions of the studio environment, including
hardware, software, workstation layouts, security solutions, and other practical information that
might be useful to others who are contemplating a similar project.
Description
12 p.