Phase A / Virtual Kick Off

Immersion, Communication, Interests

Phase A starts with the Virtual Kick Off and includes the time until all participants meet in Querétaro Mexico for the Physical Kick Off. In this phase the students work within their disciplinary group or individually. With the Virtual Kick Off session all participants get to know the virtual communication tools that will be used throughout the whole project elop*8. 

Phase A allows an immersion into the complexity of the topic from each disciplinary point of view. This important background information will secure a well-founded start into the project and to elaborate afterwards adequate goals in a transdisciplinary way.

1. Transdisciplinary Hero (individual):

Who is your personal transdisciplinary/transcultural hero? To whom would you associate exemplary transdisciplinary /-cultural characteristics? It can be any person, famous or not. Prepare a short presentation with an image of this person and explain why you have chosen him/her as your hero.

Task 1 Format: A3, digital (.jpg/.pdf) + original/print

2. Your favourite public space (individual):

Choose your (personal) favourite public space in your city. It doesn‘t need to be a famous place or monument. Think about what makes it special to you, select significant fragments from it. Explain with some keywords what makes it unique to you, but also what eventually could be imporved. Share perceptions and sensations by means of a Visual-Safari. Create 5-6 images (drawings and/or photos) of its fragments/elements/aspects.

Task 2 Format: A6 postcards, digital (.jpg/.pdf) +original/print

3. Cabinet of Curiosities (individual & disciplinary group) 

Take an immersive insight in the topic by studying the content of the Cabinet of Curiosities on the blog of elop*8 (http://elop8.blogspot.ch/).

Within your disciplinary group reflect the information you got through the Cabinet of Curiosities and structure the complex information visually by creating a mind map with physical or virtual tools (www.mindmup.com / www.coggle.it or other software). Develop a preliminary diagnosis and a first interpretation of the information. Last but not least identify where you need more information.
Task 3 Format: Poster Layout. Digital file + original/print

4. Glossary (disciplinary group)

Create in your disciplinary group a glossary of 10 important terms out of your discipline that you may need in the discussion within the multidisciplinary team. For example “sustainability” may be interpreted in a different way by a sociologist, an engineer or an architect. This term should be defined by each disciplinary group. Other possible terms: border, fringe, environment, atmosphere, concept, efficiency, innovation, density, safety, strategy, vision...

Define each term in words and graphically (sketch or pictogram) and represent each on a white sheet of paper that you scan.

Task 4 Format: A4,  digital (.jpg) + paper version (to bring to MX)

5. The Iceberg-Model (disciplinary group)

The metaphorical model of the iceberg illustrates visually the communicative challenge that arises between different disciplines during the whole process. The depth of expert knowledge of each discipline needs to be translated onto the surface in such a manner that its essential elements can be communicated synthetically and understood among the disciplines.