The brief

Develop an individual design response to your own Project Proposal that clearly demonstrates an integration of your disciplines.

Student reflection

The objective I assigned myself for this project was to rekindle children's connections to their senses, to positively impact their cognitive and emotional development. My response to this objective was driven by my Textiles and Object Design disciplines, as well as my experience of working in childcare. Each of these three areas of interest make reference to the senses and sensory design in some way. "Sensorise" is a children's desk for use in schools or at home. Acknowledging the inevitable presence of digital technology in children's lives, I aimed to make the digital experience more sensory and enriching.

I found this to be a very satisfying assignment as it was self-directed, allowing us to focus on our passion as design students. It also emphasised the significance of interdisciplinary practice to design innovation. Prior to completing this Studio course, I had not considered my experience in childcare to be relevant to my university work. Finding intersections between my work and design studies helped me to identify my passions and begin to develop my identity as a designer.

Acknowledgement of Country

UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.

We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.