Sue Fairburn
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Wilson School of Design, Faculty Member
- Sue is a Design Educator and Researcher who works between the boundaries of the body and the environment. Her researc... moreSue is a Design Educator and Researcher who works between the boundaries of the body and the environment. Her research approach uses Design as Knowledge Exchange applied to Social Design and Design for Extremes. She was educated in Canada in Environmental Physiology and Environmental Design.edit
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Design education is working in an expanding field of environmental contexts. The coming generations will witness changing climates that drive them toward migration to the poles and survivalism. As we explore and settle further from our... more
Design education is working in an expanding field of environmental contexts. The coming generations will witness changing climates that drive them toward migration to the poles and survivalism. As we explore and settle further from our familiar locales, how might we respond to risk before we adapt? Why are risk and expertise in extreme environments relevant to future design education?
In accessing extreme environments, humans require technical products and protective equipment (PPE) to survive and thrive. This paper shares experience from hybrid (soft and hard) product design education where extremes (environment and context) inform the curriculum. Projects are challenge-based and set in high-risk environments. Starting from the unfamiliar environmental contexts, students learn from experts who have mitigated risks and developed specialty knowledge-base and technical skills relevant to this expanded field. The year 3 curriculum model is collaborative, explorative and technically demanding with a 7-week project involving expertise in technology, the body and context/users. Iterative prototyping happens in on-site speciality labs with early and frequent testing. The student teams self-organize and project-manage their way to a full scale, functional prototype that is evaluated through design scenarios, expert feedback, field-based test protocols (on and off-site).
This paper reflects on project outcomes over 5 years. Informed by student and stakeholder feedback, it offers perspectives and recommendations on the necessity of an expanded ‘environmental’ field for this generation of risk-engaged designers. Future-proofing design education derives benefit from introducing the unfamiliar and unknowns so students can explore, respond, and adapt as designers.
In accessing extreme environments, humans require technical products and protective equipment (PPE) to survive and thrive. This paper shares experience from hybrid (soft and hard) product design education where extremes (environment and context) inform the curriculum. Projects are challenge-based and set in high-risk environments. Starting from the unfamiliar environmental contexts, students learn from experts who have mitigated risks and developed specialty knowledge-base and technical skills relevant to this expanded field. The year 3 curriculum model is collaborative, explorative and technically demanding with a 7-week project involving expertise in technology, the body and context/users. Iterative prototyping happens in on-site speciality labs with early and frequent testing. The student teams self-organize and project-manage their way to a full scale, functional prototype that is evaluated through design scenarios, expert feedback, field-based test protocols (on and off-site).
This paper reflects on project outcomes over 5 years. Informed by student and stakeholder feedback, it offers perspectives and recommendations on the necessity of an expanded ‘environmental’ field for this generation of risk-engaged designers. Future-proofing design education derives benefit from introducing the unfamiliar and unknowns so students can explore, respond, and adapt as designers.
This paper sets out to describe and contextualize the impact a new FabLab workshop program has had on the direction and curriculum development at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University towards more clearly linking current... more
This paper sets out to describe and contextualize the impact a new FabLab workshop program has had on the direction and curriculum development at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University towards more clearly linking current developments in rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing, and e-manufacturing services in engaging creative technologies and embedding entrepreneurial skill sets within our undergraduate program. These ambitions are set against specific rural issues of location, within a Northern European context, and associated ‘creative rural economy’ agenda[s]. This paper will report on specific issues and insights, and their impact, by examining the role design education can play in developing clearer and more sustainable patterns of entrepreneurship within an undergraduate design program, set against these external factors. Whereby, an emerging FabLab model, is developing within this design school, this technology has been positioned as a catalyst to integrate the Rural ...
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Design has expanded its scope towards social change and innovation– this is observed to a great extent in the UK in parallel with \"The Big Society\" , but is happening globally as well. The existing literature concentrates on... more
Design has expanded its scope towards social change and innovation– this is observed to a great extent in the UK in parallel with \"The Big Society\" , but is happening globally as well. The existing literature concentrates on practices, approaches and outcomes, with a desire to understand the implementation and the impact of these social 'design interventions'. Consequently, what is informing or may inform this practice seems less evident. This paper aims to raise awareness towards the presuppositions in design practice and research, and proposes the application of Foucauldian discourse theory to uncover and challenge any presuppositions for a more legitimate conduct. The underlying research forms part of a doctoral study that seeks to examine the role of design in society and aims to accommodate the ongoing discussions around the agency of design. The work-in-progress involves an investigation of the three parts of \"social design dispositive\" , based ...
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Research paper presented at <i>Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities, </i>Glasgow School of Art, 11th-12th November 2015.<br><br><i><b>Futurescan 3: Intersecting... more
Research paper presented at <i>Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities, </i>Glasgow School of Art, 11th-12th November 2015.<br><br><i><b>Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities</b></i><i><br></i>Edited by Helena Britt, Laura Morgan and Kerry WaltonNovember 2015<br>ISBN: 978 1 911217 08 4
Research Interests: Engineering and Design
Increasingly design education is taking place within a Krauss-ion ‘expanded field’ of cross disciplinary practice. This explorative nature of design, when set against notions of traditional disciplines, will ask graduates to participate... more
Increasingly design education is taking place within a Krauss-ion ‘expanded field’ of cross disciplinary practice. This explorative nature of design, when set against notions of traditional disciplines, will ask graduates to participate with certainty and confidence in this ‘expanded field’. We argue that developing disciplinary identity, when reinforced by actively working across disciplines, demonstrates the value of creative solutions arising from a collaborative project space. This paper outlines a strategy to engage students in negotiating this expanded design identity through wide ranging partnerships, which purposefully inform the collaborative, and cross-disciplinary nature of this approach. Key to each project is the collaborative interaction between external partners and mixed design groups from Fashion & Textiles, 3D Design and Communication Design. The overview and analysis of this longitudinal cross-disciplinary initiative provides insights that support a clear and posi...
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This paper aims to understand the effectiveness of design-led methods and approaches to support small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) with innovation, and how their needs are fulfilled by support instruments through investigating the... more
This paper aims to understand the effectiveness of design-led methods and approaches to support small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) with innovation, and how their needs are fulfilled by support instruments through investigating the activities of 'design-led innovation centres'(DICs) that have been established in the UK. These Centres promote design practice and facilitate design driven methods to improve innovation processes within SMEs. This study examines the content, motivations, methods, procedures and general principles of these centres to find out what appears valuable and what does not seem useful within a facilitated innovation process. The data referred to in this paper were collected through a series of interviews undertaken with individuals representing DICs, SMEs, design consultants and government agencies. This paper presents several results derived from different experiences and the opinions of respondents. It was found that DICs offer a process-oriented a...
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ABSTRACT Is it too late to improve the habitability of the International Space Station? Habitability is a crucial factor in the success of human space missions. Current efforts in the design and construction of the ISS use human factors... more
ABSTRACT Is it too late to improve the habitability of the International Space Station? Habitability is a crucial factor in the success of human space missions. Current efforts in the design and construction of the ISS use human factors engineering to maximize habitability and promote crew satisfaction and productivity. This is a highly engineered approach to habitability. There is an opportunity for designers to play a key role in the ‘humanization’ of the space environment. A design approach that meshes with the existing construction and configuration is most pragmatic. This paper illustrates this potential with an innovative design for a crew quarter and ‘kit of parts’ that is compatible with current ISS module rack structures. INTRODUCTION The design of crew quarters (CQ) was a key phase in the design of Skylab with a specific goal of providing a private space for each crewmember. A crewmember spends 6-8 hours a day in their crew quarter. Despite the privacy afforded by a designated place for each crewmember, the Skylab crews reported poor sleep due to noise, light leaks, or disturbances by fellow crewmembers. Adam’s (1998) noted that Skylab lacked attachment points for relocating sleep restraints, thereby precluding
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Research Interests: Psychology, Nursing, Occupational Medicine, Medicine, Prospective studies, and 15 moreHumans, Computer Simulation, Female, Male, Aged, Middle Aged, Occupational, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Workers Compensation, Functional Capacity Evaluation, Cohort Studies, Occupational and environmental medicine, Work Capacity Evaluation, and Physical Endurance
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Social innovation is an interdisciplinary area, where many professionals work collaboratively towards public good. In the last decade, design practitioners in the UK have shown increasing interest in social innovation projects and much of... more
Social innovation is an interdisciplinary area, where many professionals work collaboratively towards public good. In the last decade, design practitioners in the UK have shown increasing interest in social innovation projects and much of the existing literature on design for social innovation (DfSI) is influenced by studies that draw from these practices. Theory to support practice-based studies is yet to be fully developed.The research informing this paper regards DfSI as a discourse; the flow of knowledge, which determines individual and collective doing and formative action that shapes society, thus exercising power (Jäger and Maier 2016). It focuses on the political agency of design in supporting social innovation process and is informed by concepts from Foucault (e.g. power, discourse). We present a methodology based on dispositive analysis (a particular approach within critical discourse studies) to aid the examination of DfSI's political nature. This methodology builds o...
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There is clearly a significant market for wearable, livable technologies that maximize self-awareness of our physical, psychological and emotional state, however, the authors argue that there is a disconnect between current products and... more
There is clearly a significant market for wearable, livable technologies that maximize self-awareness of our physical, psychological and emotional state, however, the authors argue that there is a disconnect between current products and the skin they sit upon. Current and emerging technologies do not fully meet user needs and wants. In this paper the authors draw on their own areas of specialist knowledge, namely product design (Fairburn) and fashion and textiles (Steed), to examine the interlocking of different design disciplines where the author's design experience, industry and academic, health and environment, provide insights into the different drivers for innovative product development and research.
Research Interests: Engineering and Design
Social innovation is an interdisciplinary area, where many professionals work collaboratively towards public good. In the last decade, design practitioners in the UK have shown increasing interest in social innovation projects and much of... more
Social innovation is an interdisciplinary area, where many professionals work collaboratively towards public good. In the last decade, design practitioners in the UK have shown increasing interest in social innovation projects and much of the existing literature on design for social innovation (DfSI) is influenced by studies that draw from these practices. Theory to support practice-based studies is yet to be fully developed. The research informing this paper regards DfSI as a discourse; the flow of knowledge, which determines individual and collective doing and formative action that shapes society, thus exercising power (Jäger and Maier 2016). It focuses on the political agency of design in supporting social innovation process and is informed by concepts from Foucault (e.g. power, discourse). We present a methodology based on dispositive analysis (a particular approach within critical discourse studies) to aid the examination of DfSI’s political nature. This methodology builds on J...
Research Interests:
Design has expanded its scope towards social change and innovation– this is observed to a great extent in the UK in parallel with "The Big Society" , but is happening globally as well. The existing literature concentrates on... more
Design has expanded its scope towards social change and innovation– this is observed to a great extent in the UK in parallel with "The Big Society" , but is happening globally as well. The existing literature concentrates on practices, approaches and outcomes, with a desire to understand the implementation and the impact of these social 'design interventions'. Consequently, what is informing or may inform this practice seems less evident. This paper aims to raise awareness towards the presuppositions in design practice and research, and proposes the application of Foucauldian discourse theory to uncover and challenge any presuppositions for a more legitimate conduct. The underlying research forms part of a doctoral study that seeks to examine the role of design in society and aims to accommodate the ongoing discussions around the agency of design. The work-in-progress involves an investigation of the three parts of "social design dispositive" , based on J...
Research Interests:
In light of the renewed international interest in lunar exploration, including plans for setting up a permanent human outpost on the Moon, the need for next generation earth-based human space mission simulators has become inevitable and... more
In light of the renewed international interest in lunar exploration, including plans for setting up a permanent human outpost on the Moon, the need for next generation earth-based human space mission simulators has become inevitable and urgent. These simulators have been shown to be of great value for medical, physiological, psychological, biological and exobiological research, and for subsystem test and development, particularly closed-loop life support systems. The paper presents a summary of a survey of past, present and future human space mission simulators. In 2006, the Vienna based company Liquifer Systems Group (LSG) conducted an in-depth survey, for a European Space Agency (ESA) commissioned Phase-A
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Increasingly design education is taking place within a Krauss-ion 'expanded field' of cross disciplinary practice. This explorative nature of design, when set against notions of traditional disciplines, will ask graduates to... more
Increasingly design education is taking place within a Krauss-ion 'expanded field' of cross disciplinary practice. This explorative nature of design, when set against notions of traditional disciplines, will ask graduates to participate with certainty and confidence in this 'expanded field'. We argue that developing disciplinary identity, when reinforced by actively working across disciplines, demonstrates the value of creative solutions arising from a collaborative project space. This paper outlines a strategy to engage students in negotiating this expanded design identity through wide ranging partnerships, which purposefully inform the collaborative, and cross-disciplinary nature of this approach. Key to each project is the collaborative interaction between external partners and mixed design groups from Fashion & Textiles, 3D Design and Communication Design. The overview and analysis of this longitudinal cross-disciplinary initiative provides insights that support ...
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One of the greatest risks humanity faces is Climate Change. Evidence on sea-level rise and extreme weather events supports that climate systems are changing as well as our relationship to climate. Changes are taking place at the global... more
One of the greatest risks humanity faces is Climate Change. Evidence on sea-level rise and extreme weather events supports that climate systems are changing as well as our relationship to climate. Changes are taking place at the global and national level, on built structures at the city and community level, yet we construct an understanding of climate relative to our personal context. To anticipate future urban microclimate patterns we must find ways to imagine and communicate them, using indicators and modes that are more personally relevant and in real-time. A wardrobe is a personal and portable environment, a boundary between body and environment, with the capacity to sense and communicate as a climate indicator. We propose CAPE (Climate Anticipation Personal Environment) as an enhanced indicator, as a part of a wider project called City As A Spaceship (CAAS) that explores imminent spaceship parameters, such as climate monitoring and control, as important factors for crewed vehic...
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The ‘winter of...’ and the 'hottest day since...' are narratives that describe our experience with a climate that informed our behaviours of the time. What was, isn’t necessarily what will be, and as global climate change shifts... more
The ‘winter of...’ and the 'hottest day since...' are narratives that describe our experience with a climate that informed our behaviours of the time. What was, isn’t necessarily what will be, and as global climate change shifts and pushes us into unfamiliar climatic experiences, we seek a more meaningful way to anticipate climate change. In this instance climate is viewed as a disruptive element in society with its shift, apparent unpredictability, and impact affecting those less equipped to anticipate. With extreme changes in temperature, high air pollution levels, and lack of rain water, climate change is felt and seen. CAPE (Climate Anticipation Personal Environment) is a conceptual framework to inform society of impending environmental extremes by communicating immediate futures. Four case studies explore current technologies being applied in our surrounding terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. Together they represent our anticipated materialisation of CAPE. T...
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Collective Futures was a partnership project between three highly regarded institutions operating in the creative industries: Gray's School of Art, University of The West of Scotland (UWS) and the Glasgow School of Art. The partners... more
Collective Futures was a partnership project between three highly regarded institutions operating in the creative industries: Gray's School of Art, University of The West of Scotland (UWS) and the Glasgow School of Art. The partners undertook a unique exploration of creative collectives as a route to economic success and talent development for designer-makers. The collaborative nature of the partnership working throughout the project was recognised by the partners as a form of Creative Academic Collective. The aims of the project were consistent with Creative Scotland's strategic intention to support talent hubs for creative practitioners, and also aligned with recent reports (EKOS) and initiatives such as the South of Scotland Social Enterprise Initiative (SOSCEI), Creative Arts Business Network (CABN) and Emergents, that reinforced the importance of scale, networking, collaboration and the notion of creative places around the country to support creative industries. Central...
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The purpose of this study was to test the CFK equation for its prediction of the rate of formation of carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) in exercising humans by use of measured values of the respiratory variables and to characterize the rate of... more
The purpose of this study was to test the CFK equation for its prediction of the rate of formation of carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) in exercising humans by use of measured values of the respiratory variables and to characterize the rate of appearance of HbCO with frequent blood sampling. Ten nonsmoking male subjects were exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) on two separate occasions distinguished by the level of activity. Steady-state exercise was conducted on a cycle ergometer at either a low (approximately 45 W) or moderate (approximately 90 W) power output. Each experiment began with an exposure of 3,000 ppm CO for 3 min during a rest period followed by three intermittent exposures ranging from 3,000 ppm CO for 1 min at low exercise to 667 ppm CO for 3 min at moderate exercise. Increases in HbCO were normalized against predicted values to account for individual differences in the variables that govern CO uptake. No difference in the normalized uptake of CO was found between the low- and mo...
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One of the greatest risks humanity faces is Climate Change. Evidence on sea-level rise and extreme weather events supports that climate systems are changing as well as our relationship to climate. Changes are taking place at the global... more
One of the greatest risks humanity faces is Climate Change. Evidence on sea-level rise and extreme weather events supports that climate systems are changing as well as our relationship to climate. Changes are taking place at the global and national level, on built structures at the city and community level, yet we construct an understanding of climate relative to our personal context. To anticipate future urban microclimate patterns we must find ways to imagine and communicate them, using indicators and modes that are more personally relevant and in real-time. A wardrobe is a personal and portable environment, a boundary between body and environment, with the capacity to sense and communicate as a climate indicator. We propose CAPE (Climate Anticipation Personal Environment) as an enhanced indicator, as a part of a wider project called City As A Spaceship (CAAS) that explores imminent spaceship parameters, such as climate monitoring and control, as important factors for crewed vehicles and habitats. CAAS is a metaphor for learning from reciprocities between a spaceship and dense cities-thus considering resource use, self-sufficiency, constrained spaces, renewable energy and multiculturalism; a spin-off and spin-in at the same time. Data is pervasive yet invisible. Air quality is also difficult to see, yet it informs our beliefs that our environment is habitable. Consider a scenario where an individual wearing CAPE enters a courtroom holding proceedings on urban air quality. Once inside, the individual's wardrobe indicates the air is highly polluted. As perception is primarily visual, those looking around can now see the environmental contamination, as CAPE communicates the environmental status. This paper introduces CAPE as a data-rich personal environment and an intelligent subsystem of CAAS in SMART city settings. It is a practical rather than an aesthetic wardrobe that integrates space technology beyond its original intent, capturing our surrounding environment-gaseous, thermal, and perhaps acoustic. It is a wardrobe that exchanges information between inhabitants and their urban habitats, where air quality, urban congestion, heat islands and extreme thermal fluctuations are an everyday experience. CAPE gathers data at the personal level and communicates with the commons. As the speed of Big Data processing approaches and exceeds the speed of living, it has the potential to be predictive and anticipatory and wardrobe becomes an indicator of urban microclimates.