WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

Researching existing transit models

To understand what exists already for transportation and gain insight into modes of thinking about moving people and goods



Individually look at the transit examples in the Resource tab. As you go through these precedents, note how the system works, how it's powered, how many people could be moved by it, and what infrastructure it requires.

Individually or in pairs, choose one of the transit systems to focus on.

1st

~1 hr

Activity Steps

Individually or in your pair, create a slideshow that contains the following information about your transit system:

• Where is it located? Is this method used elsewhere in the world?
• How does the transit system relate to the area and its unique setting/environment? (write 2-3 sentences)
• What is awesome vs. awful about this transit system? 
• What are potential ways that this transit system can be improved? (Through sketching, Be imaginative!)

Also include at least 1 photograph of the systems and 1 sketch or diagram of the system.

2nd

Present your precedent research to the class using your slideshow.

3rd

A precedent is a project done in the real world that can be used to help explain some of the ideas that will be covered in the studio or project.

Students should locate and critically evaluate precedents and demonstrate how the content of the relate to their projects.

Precedents generally fall into a number of categories:

CONCEPTUAL

ASPIRATIONAL

COMPARABLE

CONCEPTUAL PRECEDENTS

They explore ideas related to the studio through critical analysis of a wide range of largely art-based projects.

ASPIRATIONAL PRECEDENTS

They look at cutting-edge or futurist implementation of technology as related to the studio topic.

COMPARABLE PRECEDENTS

They look at nascent or current projects, often in the marketplace, that relate to the theme of the studio at a design and technological level that students can reasonably achieve within the course of the Studio.

Through a critical analysis and melding of these categories, students can develop ideas for creative and technical innovations based on an expansive understanding of the theme.

What makes a good Precedent?

MEANINGFUL

-Provides a rich social, historical or cultural context.

-Highlight examples of current relevant projects.

-Shows a novel approach.

-Shows a novel design solution.

-Exposes students to concepts, projects, and research that they are unaware of.

-Helps generate conversation about the studio topic early in the research and brainstorming process.

INSPIRING & EXCITING

-Shows a conceptual application.

-Shows a novel technical, functional, or mechanical application.

FOCUSED

GUIDING

Shows students options, avenues, and principles at any point during the design process. Precedents are useful throughout the studio, not just at the beginning.

The name of the project/device/object/installation/book etc.

Name of the creator.

A source link to the original content.

Analysis (if appropriate) of the precedent. This can be technical or conceptual.

A precedent can be a video or a series of images. Image posts should have a Title and Caption on every slide. Every Precedent should include the following in the body of the post:

POSTING PRECEDENTS

Name of the project

Name of the creator

Link

Caption

Student Examples