WSU Spokane News

SPOKANE, Wash.—A conversational story or a series of photographs are typical ways to share our experiences with others. But does the reflection on this experience truly come alive again? A group of design students from Washington State University Spokane’s Interdisciplinary Design Institute (IDI) are hoping to do just that. They are putting a twist on these traditional methods and bringing their design education to life through interactive structures that invite you on a visual journey of their learning experiences.

Four different abstract structures will be on display, today 1 to 2:30 p.m. outside on the Riverpoint Campus between the Academic Center and the Phase I Building. The design students will be on hand during this time to answer questions and provide guidance. Guests are invited to interact with the structures by looking, touching, and feeling the materials as they walk through them. The participation and interaction will conceptually bring the designers’ learning experience to life for each visitor.

The structures, prepared only from sustainable materials that will be donated for re-use or recycled upon project completion, are designed in preparation for a larger class project that will be to create an interactive structure that communicates an historic timeline for the city of Ritzville.

“Inspired by well-known structures and monuments, such as Maya Lin’s Vietnam Memorial or Cristo’s Gates, I developed the curriculum for this studio to help students use their personal experience together with historical facts to develop a design concept that promotes interaction and makes people stop and experience the moment,” said Janetta McCoy, associate professor for the Interdisciplinary Design Institute.

Stop by the Riverpoint Campus and experience the journey of design education at WSU Spokane.
Note to editors:  If the weather cooperates, the structures will be up through Oct. 7.

About the Interdisciplinary Design Institute
The Interdisciplinary Design Institute at WSU Spokane advances knowledge to enhance the quality of people's lives in the built and natural environment through interdisciplinary instruction, research and community service. Research and design at the institute focus in particular on people and place, design history and community service learning, with sustainable design being the theme throughout the curriculum. Faculty and students from all design disciplines are brought together for a one-of-a-kind opportunity in higher learning and discovery. Internationally renowned faculty and students from architecture, interior design and landscape architecture work collaboratively to improve people’s lives through the advancement of design. This distinctive interdisciplinary experience, combined with state-of-the-art facilities located near downtown Spokane, creates an outstanding professional academic and research environment.

Parking and Transportation:
Visitors to the Riverpoint campus are encouraged to use public transit; STA Route #29 serves Riverpoint.  Bike racks are located by every building, and the Centennial Trail provides pedestrian/bike access. Drivers should use the meters in the green parking lots, or park in the Pay and Display lot (cash, coin or debit card) located just off of Spokane Falls Boulevard to the west of the South Campus Facility at 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. One-hour parking on city streets is also available. A map to help guide you to your campus location can be viewed or printed here: http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/aboutWSUSpokane/Visiting/WSUSpokaneMap2009_June1.pdf.

 Share

	email
	digg
	del.icio.us
	google
	newsvine
	reddit
	yahoo!
	Release
	back