What is the ‘background philosophy’ of this Upper Pool Studio?

This UPS uses a participatory approach (Participatory Design). Designing via a participatory approach means to actively involve potential or current users of what you intend to design in your design and decision-making process. This can occur in many different ways and the participation level can vary substantially depending on projects, circumstances, budget, time, involved parties and so on.
Although in Project ZOO you will have the option to decide the level of participation with your clients and to negotiate such levels independently, it is mandatory that you engage in some participatory practice. It is also mandatory that you properly document all your engagements with your clients through a “meeting diary” where to capture what you discuss with them when you do so and why, and your reflections and actions after each encounter.
Typically you will be asked to engage in a number of activities such: as work closely with ‘zoo inhabitants’; test & iterate your designs with the rmit-zoo team; and participate with and initiate community activities at the zoo.
Adopting a participatory approach implies that you (the designer) will not approach your brief with a top-down approach (where you act as a designer hero in charge­ and your end users become passive recipients of your creations) but will instead organise your design activities in inclusive manners and with inclusive purposes.
The capacity to professionally and sensibly manage & enact a participatory practice is fundamental in this studio and it will be heavily considered in the assessment process. To facilitate you with the above we will have a number of in-class activities and discussions around the theme of participation and the tools you can adopt in participatory design.
You will have the opportunity to discuss and negotiate how you would like to proceed and enact some participatory practice at the zoo. However, you will be expected to be independent and experimental while designing your own action-plan. This means that formulas won’t be given to you but you will be rather encouraged and nurtured to actively negotiate and design your own ways of operating.