Permanink Produce / Nature's Label
Over this year, my friends and I decided to compete in the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge at the UW as well as the Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition at Seattle University. We researched and (partially due to COVID) designed a compostable sticker alternative to the PLU stickers found on produce, calling ourselves Permanink Produce (and then Nature's Label after some advice). This was an overall fun experience as we tried to solve a sticky situation looking at keeping it compostable while also making sure it stayed on throughout the shelf life. While COVID disrupted our research, we were still able to present our work at both competitions. In the Seattle University competition, we not only ended up as Finalists (which was a huge surprise), but we also won 1st place and the Grand Prize!
Taking My Skills Outside the Classroom
Throughout the year, I worked on a Design for America project team looking at how to improve the first-year experience at the University of Washington. During Spring Quarter, we finalized our design and got to present it at the end of May! We created an app called Meetzap who's goal is to help you meet people with similar interests while also encouraging face to face interaction to strengthen friendships!
Though DFA, I was able to take my design skills outside the classroom and practice the design process with a group of people who are hoping to solve a problem that we are passionate about. By going through this process, I was able to sharpen my skills by thinking critically on the choices I made and learn how to translate research into design decisions. |
Seriously, Time Did Not Exist
In Spring 2020, everything was kind of embodied in COVID and navigating the world as we dealt with a global pandemic. The whole world seemed to have come to a standstill. With the cancelation of basically everything, it seemed like there was no difference between the days. There would be days were I wouldn't leave the building, even where I wouldn't leave my room. My routine seemed to be, get up, attend class, do homework, work on my UX portfolio, sleep. There were definitely days that were tough and hard to find motivation to do anything. Other nights, I would be up until 4-5AM working on homework or my portfolio.
One of the most important things I learned in this quarter though was to take care of yourself. I decided at the beginning of Spring Quarter to bring my Xbox from home to UW. I thought that if I can't see my friends in person, this might be a good way to connect with them virtually. And honestly? I think we probably ended up talking more because of this than we would in a normal quarter. Some of my other friends and I decided to also have scheduled Zoom calls so that we could talk and "see" each other. This also provided an good balance to working on class work and taking necessary breaks and helped me academically and mentally.
As an RA, from 63 residents, I went to 12 residents. On top of that, there needed to be a lot of adaptability. From closing study lounges due to gathering limits to having to have 24/7 weekend On Call shifts to virtual programming, there were a lot of changes, sometimes on really short notice. Oh, and a kitchen fire! Overall, there were ups and downs, but Spring Quarter taught me a lot about myself and provided time on reflection on the importance of community.
One of the most important things I learned in this quarter though was to take care of yourself. I decided at the beginning of Spring Quarter to bring my Xbox from home to UW. I thought that if I can't see my friends in person, this might be a good way to connect with them virtually. And honestly? I think we probably ended up talking more because of this than we would in a normal quarter. Some of my other friends and I decided to also have scheduled Zoom calls so that we could talk and "see" each other. This also provided an good balance to working on class work and taking necessary breaks and helped me academically and mentally.
As an RA, from 63 residents, I went to 12 residents. On top of that, there needed to be a lot of adaptability. From closing study lounges due to gathering limits to having to have 24/7 weekend On Call shifts to virtual programming, there were a lot of changes, sometimes on really short notice. Oh, and a kitchen fire! Overall, there were ups and downs, but Spring Quarter taught me a lot about myself and provided time on reflection on the importance of community.
Spring 2020 Highlights:
(Virtual) Classes: HCDE 301, HCDE 308, HCDE 321, HCDE 419
May 29th: Seattle Univeristy Business Plan Competition Finals
May 30th: DFA Expo
June 14th: Move Out
Deans List (and a 4.0'ed Quarter!)!
(Virtual) Classes: HCDE 301, HCDE 308, HCDE 321, HCDE 419
May 29th: Seattle Univeristy Business Plan Competition Finals
May 30th: DFA Expo
June 14th: Move Out
Deans List (and a 4.0'ed Quarter!)!