Post – proposal next steps

Hi all!

You made it! Your proposals are in! (or – they mostly are, let me know if yours is not for any reason – we’re starting the review process tomorrow!). If you need one extra moment to workshop your proposal – Beth is facilitating the rotating peer session right now in our normal classroom zoom!

This is a transitional moment, so in order to mark the occasion I have made you a beautiful data visualization 😅…

In other words…. it’s time to *transition to MAKING*! That doesn’t mean your research stops – your “project” will probably even continue to shift/evolve – but if you haven’t already started some form of hands-on making (daily practice, sketching, low tech or high tech prototyping): it’s time to 🤿 DIVE IN 🤿 .

Keep in mind: each of your paths are different, so the exact proportions of each section will vary for everyone…. but in my experience, the above flow works well for an ITP/IMA thesis.

To keep momentum, I *really* encourage you to get into a weekly rhythm: set  blocks of time aside for thesis each week on your calendar, make a Thesis Journal post after each block with current thoughts + documentation of what you did + next steps. That way, you will continue steady progress… even if you’re not totally sure where it’s heading! This steady movement is the thesis!

Unsure of where to start with making? Book time with me and we can come up with it together!

Very excited for you all!!!!

Sarah

PS – UPCOMING EVENTS: Roopa Vasudevan, this Friday, will be giving a VERY helpful talk about research and practice. Next week, during the regular peer open session (class time  8pm ET Tuesday / 9 am China Wednesday) ITP residents will come present their thesis projects, and be in conversation with some of our very own (beloved!) IMA residents about process. Look for an announcement on that soon.

PPS – To make life slightly simpler, I’ve added a “suggested weekly assignments” section to our syllabus. I will continue to send emails/post these announcements, but will also update that area as a quick reference of universal “action  items”! Please let me know if you have any suggestions in re: communications! Happy to make improvements!