Any thoughts on a SketchUcation Members ????

pbacot · 29 Oct 2008, 22:36

Mike, there a two types of projects. Some projects have a well outlined design that needs fleshing out. (eg. a straight forward prototype shelter design, or mapping /modeling something that exists for the use of the community or organization). The other is a full design project. How can a bunch of opinionated designers collaborate on a design? That would be a breakthrough in itself.

linea · 31 Oct 2008, 13:41

Pbacot everybody will have to put their ego aside (nobody in this community is egotistical or arrogant anyway). I think the idea of one designer is a pretty outdated idea these days. Are we striving for iconic architectural masterpieces? Function and budget will be more important.

bellwells · 31 Oct 2008, 14:38

@linea said:

Pbacot everybody will have to put their ego aside (nobody in this community is egotistical or arrogant anyway). I think the idea of one designer is a pretty outdated idea these days. Are we striving for iconic architectural masterpieces? Function and budget will be more important.

I agree. I'm confident we can all cooperate on this.

pbacot · 31 Oct 2008, 15:52

That's good. I didn't mean to throw water on any design work scenario. This could be the proving of a true community feeling. Who decides design direction though? I also did not mean to imply there would be one designer only. I am most familiar with private practice where someone eventually has the decision making power over all others, in order to move forward where different solutions are proposed. Personally I am not worthy to tie the modeling or design shoes of many here. If given a task, I'd be honored to fill-in the caulk on someone else's idea.

You need not be egotistical or arrogant to feel you are right. Designers are creative people who naturally have their own strong ideas. I look forward to seeing the collaborative process do some good, like the many amateur computers doing long computations, or the many amateur astronomers combing the skies.

bellwells · 31 Oct 2008, 16:13

To paraphrase a Supreme Court Justice, good design is like pornography, I know it when I see it.

bellwells · 2 Nov 2008, 01:24

One way to kick this thing off would be to get Google to use their considerable marketing efforts to announce our willingness to help deserving causes.

This fits right into Google's world view and would be wonderful advertising for them. Using their SketchUp product to better the world. How perfect!

The problem would be to sift through what would be thousands of requests. This would be daunting task and I haven't thought through that process yet. As mentioned earlier, I think, we could have a few forums established for this process. It just occurred to me that this could significantly burden Coen's life. Maybe this special requester forum would be on Google Groups....I never visit there though.

Sometimes the best way to tackle a new problem is to dive right in.

Mike Lucey · 2 Nov 2008, 03:29

Great ideas Ron. I think you could be right, that we might simply
inundated with requests. Maybe the softly softly approach might
be the best way to handle something at this point in time but we
still have the, what, where, when and how question!

Double Espresso · 9 Nov 2008, 16:42

How about a 'challenge' to design things like modular prefab housing that could be used to provide shelter and replacement homes for areas that are struck by disasters. This could also extend into areas like irrigation systems to direct water from rivers to villages.
Individual design concepts are chosen by open vote, or a panel, then modified and improved by member input and then taken to final engineered design.
Patents and copyrights will be an issue but that can be handled with non-profit agreements etc.

Then approach Google with a Web-Reality show concept where the Google/Sketchup Humanity Team in partnership with Corporate Sponsors works with local people and a Relief Organization to install the irrigation system or housing, or ???.

This might be of interest - http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=9

DE

Mike Lucey · 9 Nov 2008, 22:55

Thanks DE for your input and welcome. We have quite a few
ideas bounced and I am sure in time we will stumble across
something that will be the ideal way for the SketchUcation
Community to do some good works.

I would however like to see us get involved in something that
would allow ALL of the SketchUcation Community to get involved
not just a particular group. However your idea is noteworthy

Mike

linea · 10 Nov 2008, 06:42

@unknownuser said:

Patents and copyrights will be an issue...

The Creative commons license might be a way to deal with this, essentially the design is free for users to do what they want with as long as all changes are documented and the original concept is attributed back to us.

@unknownuser said:

...that can be handled with non-profit agreements etc

To deny users the right to profit might seriously limit the potential of say a modular building.

Double Espresso · 10 Nov 2008, 19:30

@linea said:

@unknownuser said:

Patents and copyrights will be an issue...

The Creative commons license might be a way to deal with this, essentially the design is free for users to do what they want with as long as all changes are documented and the original concept is attributed back to us.

@unknownuser said:

...that can be handled with non-profit agreements etc

To deny users the right to profit might seriously limit the potential of say a modular building.

I was thinking more in terms of kicking it off with a SU challenge to submit conceptual designs for things like lowcost modular housing for victims of disasters like the sunami, the person with the selected design would have to sign off on design rights. However, it seems like Mike is thinking of a broader based venture where people pool their services.
Cheers,

pbacot · 20 Dec 2008, 05:41

I thought about this subject when I saw a Frontline World Video Podcast (You can find it on iTunes): India, Design Like You Give a Damn. Below is a Nairobi Youth center designed by architects from Architecture for Humanity. While it's a poor resolution, it's a SU model. Maybe people here can help a group like that. Architects who raise funds for buildings and provide services to poorer communities around the world.

Mike Lucey · 23 Dec 2008, 03:52

Thanks pbacot. I am glad that you posted and helped to keep this topic alive. I will be dedicating more time to it in the new year when I get for free time.

Mike