General Introduction to Design
Intuitive design processes are natural for human and actually every human is designing the world intuitively. But great results can be reached easily when applying Design consciously.
Because I experienced in my first action learning cycle almost only intuitive non-strategic design processes, I had a high motivation to try to apply a strategic and conscious design.
During this cycle, I learned step by step to assess the value of Design, how it structures my work and gives a focus during project work.
Design is concerned with patterning, so it is multi-dimensional (e.g. Permaculture Design)
In a Design different „layers“ can be used and applied:
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Techniques and Tools: concerned with how to do things (one-dimensional) e.g. organic gardening, A-Frame, bunyip
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Strategies: concerned with how and when to do things (two-dimensional) e.g. (first measure contour lines then create Swales)
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Methodology: Gathering specific design information by using methods: Sectoring, Zoning, Analysis of elements, Observation, and assessment
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Principles: outlining the guiding approaches of a Design (Permaculture Principles, Ethics)
Techniques
Overlay
This is a great mapping technique for all land-based designs. I used this technique for our property maps I documented in OP4. After I drew the base map on a big paper I looked for tracing paper that I could overlay on the base map. So I was able to use the base map without drawing a new one and draw another map of the property (e.g. sectoring map) on the top. Many layers of tracing paper can be added this way.
Scale a map
Often property maps are not available on an appropriate scale to draw good plans on them.
This is the reason why a permaculture designer needs to scale a map. I did that with our property map.
Land-based techniques:
- mulching
- cuttings (plant propagation)
- terracing
Principles
Permaculture Ethics (by David Holmgren)
These Ethics are the foundation of permaculture Design. They should be part of every permaculture project:
1. Care for the Earth
2. Care for the People
3. Set Limits to growth and consumption
Although the ethics are self-evident for me I did not use them by name in my Ops beside in OP4 where I intentionally set a focus on permaculture.
Permaculture Principles (by Holmgren)
Twelve permaculture principles support permaculture ethics. They provide a framework for an ethical and sustainable way of life.
The first time I worked consciously with the Permaculture Principles was in OP4. I picked the principles that seemed the most relevant for my Design and explained how I used them in my Design.
Permaculture Flower (by Holmgren)
The permaculture principles can be applied in seven different domains in life, which are visualized in the permaculture flower.
I used the flower the first time in this OP. With the help of the flower, I was able to reflect holistically on what parts of my life I am working consciously and on what parts I need to work more.
Permaculture Design
Strategies
Experimenting
This action learning cycle was dominated by experimentation in all our areas of life.
I discovered many new exciting fields without having expert knowledge. But starting with experimentation is a great strategy to actively learn more about a topic.
Generating idea → Plan for implementation → Active Experimentation → Reflection/Evaluation
Prototyping
The best example of our real implemented prototype was our herb cupboard for drying herbs. The drying cupboard itself is the tool to dry herbs (whereas drying herbs is the technique). We created this prototype to gain experience in drying herbs and now know that the cupboard works perfectly, but is too small for us.
Observation
Observation is the key to make thoughtful decisions. I started a little land-based observation diary during this cycle. The purpose of this diary to document all our observations in one place.
Methods
Zoning
Zoning is a permaculture method ensuring that elements in a system are correctly placed. The most times zones are numbered from 0 to 5. The center point (zone 0) is the point where human activity and attention are the most concentrated (e.g. the house). The attention and human activity decrease as the numbers increases (e.g. zone 1: herb garden; zone 5 wilderness).
I applied zoning for these typical land-based purposes. My first zonation map showed how the zones are currently arranged, whereas my second zoning map showed how we would like to have the zones in the future. So my first map is actually part of the Analysis-phase and my second map is part of the Design-phase.
For me, it was a great experience to use the same method in two different design stages for different purposes.
In OP3 I used the method of zoning as a structure for my project and OP. I used zone 0 to 4 (0=me and 4 = world) to show the impact I want to reach with my work on different levels. I experienced my adapted zoning as very clear and user-friendly.
Sectoring
Sectoring is a permaculture method that aims to show all influences coming from the outside and affect the property/project. Classically these are e.g. wind, sun, water, wildlife, people, noises, etc. on a land-based design. I applied this method in our pattern design for our property during the „Survey-Phase“. It was helpful to observe consciously influences from the outside.
Web of Connections
The goal is to list all elements and systems the project should include and then draw lines of connections. This makes it easier for the designer to decide about the placement of systems and elements. I applied this method to OP3 in the Analysis phase, but I gained no new insights.
Site Survey
A good site survey is a basis for a realistic assessment of what is possible to implement on the land and what the land needs.
I struggled a bit to implement the site Survey because I was unsure about the details I need to observe in order to „complete“ the Site Survey for a Pattern Property Design. It was also challenging to document my ongoing observations and structure them.
Client Interview
This was not a typical client interview, as my partner and I are our own clients. Nevertheless, in some parts I really interviewed him.
The Client Interview was a good tool to get our capacities, ideas, wishes, and vision in one paper, this makes it very clear.
Other methods I used:
- Ressources, Boundaries, and Needs
- Function-System-Element-Table
Cumulative Reflection on Design Processes
At the beginning of a project, I always struggled with what design process to choose, because I was not sure which Process would enable me to strategically work on my project. I did a lot of Design Research and tried to adapt common processes to my needs.
As soon as it was clear that I will make the Permaculture Diploma (between OP 3 and 4) all my Design questions were more clear because I wanted to start with the typical permaculture design processes and work with permaculture tools and techniques by going through the process.
So the focus on permaculture definitely helped me to grow as a designer and apply some of the typical permaculture design processes, tools, methods, and techniques.
Project Design versus OP-Design
In general, I spent a lot more attention to Project Design than I spend in OP-Design. The real-life approach of a project made it for me easier to choose an appropriate design process. This Learning Cycle I started to design my OP before I started to work on the OP (in Action Learning Cycle two it was often the other way around). Nevertheless, I struggled a lot with designing my OPs because of the two different approaches to how Design Processes can be applied (explanation see below). I combined both approaches and that made it complex and confusing. Now as I am ending the second Action Learning Cycle I know how to design my OP next time without being confused.
Two Different Approaches How To Use Design Processes (Optional)
Using a design process related to a timely process/chronology (steps and actions):
Using design processes to organize a project process helps to structure the actions. A design process gives a project structure, for example, setting goals, collecting information, researching, analyzing, reflecting. Using the process as a timely order of implementation steps. All steps are verbs, e.g. collecting information, analyzation of collected information, evaluation, etc.
Using a design process on a content level:
When using a design process on a content level, the approach is slightly different. The design process is used as a structure to sort the content. For example, I used SADIM to structure the Core Report of this OP. So in the Survey I showed my Ops I produced in this cycle and in the Design phase I reflected on the design skills I gained during this cycle. Whereas it is an action-based design process I would do a design of my project.
Design Processes I used during this Cycle (Optional)
Medicine Wheel
The Medicine Wheel has been used by generations of various Native American for health and healing. It is multi-dimensional and can be used for many purposes, so it is always very individual.
In general are in the circle (wheel) four intersecting lines, that create a cross in the middle of the circle. These lines separate the circle into four equal parts and these parts embody the four directions. Each direction has different qualities and can represent different cycles (e.g. seasons of the year, stages of life…)
For my purposes, I created a personal Medicine Wheel with different project levels. This was a very creative process and in the end, I came up with the Wheel on the right. I added a detailed description of my personal project Wheel in OP2.
Reflection of the Medicine Wheel:
The Medicine Wheel is a complex hoop with a long history and tradition. So there are endless possibilities of how the Wheel can be used in a Design.
In general, I gained an overall impression of the deep holistic approach of the wheel and I challenged myself to create my personal wheel.
But to be honest I was not able to work strategically and consciously with my self designed wheel because it lacked documentation and tracking afterward.
Picture Medicine Wheel
Dragon Dreaming
Dragon Dreaming is a holistic, inspiring and encouraging process helping groups and individuals their dreams come true. It offers different tools and techniques for visionary initiation processes, planning, implementation, evaluation, and celebration.
Dragon Dreaming provides four strategic design stages:
1. Dreaming: Be aware of your dream and vision. Share it in a creative way. Gather all necessary information
2. Planning: Strategies are created to make the dreams come true. The Karabirdt, a complex planning web, helps to organize the next steps
3. Doing: Make your dreams and plans come true and use the Karabirdt as a guideline.k
4. Implementing: Reflect about your implementation phase and learn from it. Appreciate and celebrate the progress and people's work
Reflection on Dragon Dreaming:
Using Dragon Dreaming to design my LIPD was a very good choice. I remember that I spend a lot of time just collecting information about the process and to understand the idea behind this holistic model. Dragon Dreaming provides many tools and techniques for group processes, e.g the Karrabirdt. But also for my project work the Karrabirdt proved itself as very helpful. It actually became my favourite tool for project planning. In my next OP, I used the Karrabirdt as planning tool although I used the Medicine Wheel as a guiding Design Process.
Resource Reference for this Page
Picture - Permaculture Design - drawn by Carolina Jakobi
Graphic - Medicine Wheel - downloaded from the Internet
Graphic - Dragon Dreaming - downloaded from the Internet
Graphic - SADIM - downloaded from the Internet
SADIM
SADIM adapted to SADIED
The design process SADIM is a land-based permaculture design process and contains different design stages:
Survey: Surveying the land and interviewing the people
Analysis: Assessing the site, identify functions and goals
Design: Design approaches and drawing design maps
Implement: plan how the design can be implemented/implement it
Maintain: What is needed to maintain the system in longterm?
I decided to adapt the last design stages to the needs of our projects. In the Implement phase, I showed what we already implemented during our first year. Then I added an „Evaluation“ to evaluate our goal achievement of the things we implemented so far and a reflection of how my design goals were met.
I exchanged „Maintain“ with „Develop“ to give a glance into the future and show a time plan for the next years.
Reflection of the Design Process SADIED:
This was probably the most strategic experience I had with design processes so far. It enourmously helped to follow a land-based process and applying permaculture tools and methods. There was such clarity in my process that the implementation of the project was very easy and focused.
Permaculture provides many tools, methods, and techniques with many good examples of how to implement them. I just needed to decide what I want to apply, then structure my design process and add the tools, techniques, and methods I want to use.
Through my detailed and conscious design cycle, I did not loose track and I was able to complete one step after the other. I experienced a very focused and clear project implementation that encouraged me to continue like that.
SADIM
