Stone Soup: A Learning Process

During last Tuesday's class, we had the tasks of creating something. What we created was "up in the air". There were no restrictions or rules, as long as we cleaned up after ourselves. Every group member was also expected to contribute something.

The idea was taken from Marcia Brown's Stone Soup, in which soldiers encourage villagers to each bring something to the pot of boiling water and stones. Each contribution helped improve the soup.

In the case of our class, we were told to bring supplies to design something, anything. We worked with our groups that were chosen a couple weeks ago. We all threw our materials into the middle of the circle that we had created. Thinking about what to create out of all of this stuff that may not have usually gone together was a feat.







There were ideas thrown out that were not considered as much as others. This is to be expected with design. I am sure, the creators of the first cell phone did not agree throughout the entire creative process.

*please excuse the fact that I'm not looking forward;
there were two cameras and I was too slow*

Above was our end result. I cannot say I was happy with the results but I am glad we got something done. This is a prototype for something more amazing. Afterall, designers often draw up or think of more than one thing before they settle on one set idea. Unfortunately, we did not have time for that. We were inspired by a deck of cards that a group member brought. We decided to try and replicate a King card.

After the work was said and done, we got to roam around and look at the work of other groups. I was very impressed by the creativity.

Stone Soup taught me that collaborating, exchanging ideas and being open to other people's creativity is very necessary to design something that can be looked at as substantial, innovative or just great.