INNOVATION & CREATIVE STRATEGY
I design and lead workshops for institutional leaders, educators, and global teams, with the aim of nurturing cultures of innovation.
Core components and developmental pathways include conceptual thinking, iterative and creative processes, portfolio and communication skills, visual and technological literacy, along with critical thinking and critique sessions.
ACTIVE LEARNING CURRICULUM
“Innovation is not technology. Technology is an output method through which innovative ideas can be realized. It is crucial to understand this approach in education as well as in industry. Now that fab-labs are en vogue, a common misunderstanding is that a 3-D printer, a laser cutter, or even AI generates novel ideas. True innovation requires us to take control of the steering wheel.” – Amanda O’Keefe
Through collaborative processes, I assist educational institutions in envisioning seamless integration of active learning into their systems. The goal is to enhance learner outcomes, foster improved individualized learning and equity, and empower individuals with the agility and innovation skills essential in a dynamically evolving landscape where the nature of industry and technology are constantly shifting.
The showcased projects below exemplify active learning curricula meticulously designed to integrate diverse disciplines and methodologies, addressing globally and locally relevant challenges. These initiatives are structured to empower students, fostering their development into creative, critical thinkers armed with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability to effect positive change in the world. At the core of the pedagogical approach is a focus on the process, encompassing documentation, reflection, communication, and critique that incorporates a variety of perspectives. The images on this page feature student work from both secondary and collegiate institutions.
CYBORGS
Students delved into the intricate connections between the environment, culture, and technology, embarking on the design and prototyping of wearable devices tailored for speculative future scenarios in Hawaiʻi. Project endeavors spanned from devices engineered to filter micro-plastics from water to wearable regulatory architectures, and therapeutic devices crafted to alleviate overstimulation.
Kamehameha Schools Maui, 2022
FOODSCAPES
The Foodscapes project delves into the converging realms of ethnobotany, technology, and design. In partnership with the Kamehameha Schools Maui ‘Aina team, students explore challenges related to agriculture, resources, and food sovereignty. In the initial project, Cyborg Botany, students acquire foundational knowledge in electronics and prototype responsive devices for plant clients. The insights gleaned from Cyborg Botany inform the subsequent Foodscapes project, empowering students to design and construct site-specific installations on campus that stimulate dialogues concerning people and the future of food.
Kamehameha Schools Maui, 2021
ENGINEERED SOUNDSCAPES
This student-designed installation is aimed to enhance connections among educational centers worldwide. Real-time sound data from various ecosystems activates cymatic waves within the art piece. Speakers, strategically placed on an unfolded Dymaxion map, map the locations. The resulting soundscapes generate tangible ripples through the water, visually linking the network on the sculpture. This modular prototype journeyed from Cambridge, MA, to Maui, Hawai’i, in March 2020, contributing to the Engineered Soundscape collaboration accross the pacific ocean. During this exchange, students shared their work, sounds, and stories.
Kamehameha Schools Maui & NuVu Cambridge 2020
DIGITAL MIRROR
Digital mirror serves as a project prompt that explores the impact of evolving industries, digital toolsets, and media on shaping both individual and collective identities. Students are challenged to craft digital mirror artworks that draw inspiration from their unique perspectives and experiences regarding the intricate interplay between identity and technology.
Mohawk Valley College of Art, 2023
Graphic Interventions
In this project, students delve into the possibilities of graphic design as a means to animate physical spaces. Through thorough site analysis, they identify opportunities within specific locations. Subsequently, students conceptualize and execute graphic interventions that alter the perception and interpretation of the chosen environment.
Mohawk Valley College of Art, 2023
Ripple Effect
Ripple Effect explores the influence of media in persuading individuals and the masses. Students engage in the creation of typographical manifestos, type art, and propaganda posters designed to catalyze positive “ripple effects” within their community and beyond.
Mohawk Valley College of Art, 2023
Dynamic Storytelling
This course delves into the role of dynamic and moving visualizations in multi-layered storytelling. Throughout the semester, participants will be guided through an iterative design process culminating in the creation of stop-motion data-scapes that unveil hidden flows and narratives of place and transformation.
Kamehameha Schools Maui, 2021
Mahi a Malama
Mahi a Mālama is a magazine project committed to heightening awareness of the caretakers who selflessly contribute to enhancing the environment of the Kamehameha Schools campus. Students conduct interviews with these campus heroes and produce magazines that celebrate their dedication, skills, and passions, shedding light on the valuable contributions they make to enrich the school’s culture.
Kamehameha Schools Maui, 2023
