My graduate research spanned many disciplines and fields. I explored how principles of theatrical longform improvisation overlapped with design principles in addition to the collaborative training provided by creating live theater in front of an audience with other people.
Creative Practice: Curriculum for collaboration and creativity relevant skills for design education through longform improvisation training techniques
by Nina Miller
Abstract: Creativity has long been associated with the design process. In a world shifting from designing brochures to designing experiences, collaboration has become an integral part. Improvisation in its various forms, like jazz music or improvisational comedy, have principles that guide them towards a higher craft. Longform improvisation was developed by Del Close and performed in cities throughout the United States. It pushes performers to support, listen and find patterns as they collaborate to spontaneously create unscripted theater. This applied project looks at where the worlds of design and longform improvisation converge, researching both fields in regards to creativity and collaboration. Approaching curriculum as a metaphorical interface, the methods of interaction design guide the planning of an elective focused on design, creativity and collaboration for professional programs in higher education. This class based on longform improvisation training techniques gives design educators another tool to initiate their students to an ever changing profession.
Illustration for the work, exploring gestalt design principles. The stripes became an ongoing theme: they combine many individual pieces to make one larger shape.
