interdisciplinaryThroughout my time at Olin, I've had the benefit of multiple interdisciplinary experiences. These experiences have highlighted the interconnected nature between what we create and its effects. I've learned through experience and much reflection that nothing is isolated: it is all a matter of how far the creation is from its effects. Ultimately, I am fascinated by creating connections between people, environments, and ideas. This is only possible through developing and nurturing of the interdisciplinary mindset. Below are the projects that most clearly demonstrate this interdisciplinary mindset and approach to solving real problems:
Sourcing Ethical Fashion Project - explores the connections between business, social justice, anthropology and fashion by examining a small collegiate apparel company Haptic Robot - I was able to practice programming, mechanical engineering & user interaction. My Zone - This project prompted me to work with soft goods to design a chair for children with sensory processing difficulties. Light-Up Jacket & Bracelets - my personal project involved soft goods, engineering, and performance. However, the entire experience of leading this group taught me many life lessons. Laser Cutting Zines - This research pushed me to integrate educational, communicative and fabrication skills. Sculptural and Wearable Explorations - I was able to use art and engineering as a method of exploring myself and my experiences. |
ENTREPRENEURIALOne of the skills I've learned to be most valuable in entrepreneurship is the ability to follow through on an idea and to continue to re-assess your path with a hopeful and proactive outlook.
Through my Grand Challenge Project, I've also been able to examine some of the basic mechanics of entrepreneurial business practices such as how to go about finding funding and marketing, liaisons with manufacturers, and how to develop your business's direction. I've also been able to explore some of these aforementioned skills creating a Laser Cutting Zines as part of my laser cutting research. One of the challenges of the zines (a small self-published magazine) was that we needed to market and disseminate the information ourselves. I learned the value of well-crafted graphics that entice a consumer. |
global awarenessIn my Sourcing Ethical Fashion Project, I researched School House, an ethical collegiate-ware business that first sourced its clothing from Sri Lanka and then North Carolina in the United States. I explored the cultural effects on the global supply chain. Through this, it was clear that thinking globally can allow for more creative solution creation. To become more globally connected and aware, we must seek to fully understand other cultures without exerting one's cultural values as judgement.
The interconnected-ness of the world is clear as we examine the journey of any given object around us. In the case of the Sourcing Ethical Fashion Project, this idea is clear as raw materials are sourced from China, Bangladesh and many other countries. garments are sewn in manufactured in Sri Lanaka, and clothes are bought and worn in the United States. Through globalization, we've become connected through physical objects. I seek to find ways to encourage considering this connection with the world. |
service learningI define service as providing benefit to the public without monetary gain (because there are many non-monetary gains to be had in service). Although this has not been the main focus of my four years at Olin, service learning has certainly been a great part of my overall experience at Olin. Some of the projects in which service learning has been particularly prominent are:
My Zone - This was a project in which we created a chair to aid academic focus for students with sensory processing difficulties. Community Dinner - this was a large on-campus event in which we provided dinner for participants at a large event. |