CONNOR LOWE
Background and expectations:
PERSONAL BACKGROUND:
Up until I was 20, the main area of focus in my life was a commitment to a high level of competitive sport. Despite my willingness to succeed and the level at which I was playing, it came to a point where I found that I was better suited to academics. My interests went much beyond the life that I was living, and I felt as though I needed to explore outside of my somewhat sheltered environment. I have always had music and creativity in my life and for a brief period I spent much of my time gigging in a band as well as solo. At the same time, I was in search of the type of education that would fulfill both my creative and academic desires. I grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and was living in Saskatoon, and despite having a reputable local University, I was looking elsewhere as I knew that I wanted a new experience. For quite some time, I thought that I was going to enter the field of architecture, but once I discovered the website for SIAT, my decision was made. The school has already supplied me with an arsenal of real world tools which have created job opportunities that have pulled me away from school a few times.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Having started my university career at the University of Saskatchewan, I transfered to SIAT part way into my second year with enough credits to cover the TechOne requirements. I completed one semester and then received a co-op work experience opportunity with the local creative firm, Blast Radius. Upon completion of the term, I was hired by a software company that specializes in sport development. This led to me to take a brief break from school, pursuing the opportunity that the young company provided. While working with the company, I continued to take classes part time and chip away at my degree. I am now back in school, full time, working towards a bachelor of science in Design.
WHY DID YOU APPLY FOR ITALIADESIGN?
I was first exposed to the concept of the study when I came to SIAT for an info session. It seemed like an amazing opportunity, even without knowing exactly what they did or studied. When working in industry , I ran into many SIAT grads. What struck me was that the ones producing the best work and had the best positions seemed to have also went on the italiaDesign field study. This, along with my love for travel and experiencing new things, made me sure that it would be a one of a time opportunity that I shouldn’t pass up.
Experiences In-field:
WHAT DID YOU LEARN:
Generally?
My appreciation for contextual studies grew immensely. It is easy in the North American culture that we have created to overlook the past and focus on the constant stream of new information. The study prepared me with a method to approach experience that will ensure that I pay attention to all of the layers in its makeup.
About design, design process, and innovation?
The list of things that I learned in this area could probably be longer than this entire profile. Not only did we have the opportunity to sit down and discuss with members of some of the best design firms of our time, but we also had the ability investigate their work, their peers, and their mentors, first hand.
About cities?
Being ‘from’ a city has less to do with the amount of time that you are there and more to do with how you treat it.
About group dynamics?
Group work requires an acceptance of all the members and their skills. If any one member doesn’t wish to accept another, it can make a group situation difficult for everybody. We were very fortunate with our group; we got along and worked very well together.
FAVOURITE MOMENTS OR INTERACTIONS:
In daily life?
I love and wholeheartedly miss the cafes. Coffee just isn’t the same now.
During course work?
I really enjoyed the interviews.
In an interview?
The interview with Massimiliano Fuksas started somewhat slow. It was our first interview, and it was on the third day that we were in Italy. Despite this, he was fully invested in what we were doing and gave us his full attention for an hour and half. About an hour into the interview, he decided that what he was explaining would be better supplemented with a pen. His assistant grabbed a pen and paper and once it was in his hand it acted as an extension of his mind. He went from outlining an idea for the city plan of Paris, to explaining how Milan works, and then capped it off by diagramming his process and what he has learned throughout his career about architecture.
With the group?
Group meals were really amazing. One, because we had some amazing food, but also because everyone in the group enjoyed it so much. The first meal in Pitigliano definitely stands out.
FAVOURITE PLACE OR SPACE:
Of all of the places that we travelled to, it is hard to pick just one. Each has it’s own identity and speaks to me in its own way. Of the four regions that we visited, though, Rome stands out as a favorite. I feel as though there is incredible depth to that city and despite being where we stayed the longest, and taking a short trip back there after the field school was finished, I still feel as though there is much more to discover.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUDYING ABROAD AND STUDYING AT HOME:
Context. Much of our model of education teaches knowledge without context. We learn facts or methods and regurgitate them, but studying in field built an entire cloud of contextual knowledge around everything that we learnt.
AN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE THAT YOU OVERCAME DURING THE FIELD SCHOOL:
The trip went very smoothly for me.
CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE FULL SEMESTER OF CONTEXTUAL, CULTURAL, AND HISTORICAL STUDIES PRIOR TO IN-FIELD WORK?
About language?
The biggest thing that I learnt about language was that I wish I had learnt more prior to traveling to Italy. The course that we took gave us a good base of language that allowed us to communicate in most situations, but once I was there, I really wished that I was able to speak more.
About Italian history?
The entire trip would have been much more different and would have lacked much of its richness if we had not studied the history prior to the in-field work. It was absolutely necessary and added an amazing amount of value to everything that we saw and did. It allowed us to truly appreciate the layers of history that we were seeing and have a true understanding of what was important.
CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE LEGACY PROJECT OF THE ITALIADESIGN FIELD SCHOOL?
It is an amazing concept, working on a legacy project. For one, none of the work that we have done would have been possible if it weren’t for the groups before us. From the knowledge that we learnt pre-trip, to the preparation of interviews, to the knowledge that the director and program has that made everything run so smoothly. Secondly, it is constantly in our minds to do the best that we can, because what we do in this study will be passed on and affect the next group.
Reflecting:
CAREER GOALS, ASPIRATIONS, AND INTERESTS POST-FIELD SCHOOL?
I came back from the trip knowing that anything is possible. All it takes is to do it.
DID YOU MEET YOUR PRE-TRIP GOALS?
I surpassed any expectations that I may have had.
WHAT IMPACT HAS THE FIELD SCHOOL HAD ON YOU?
To ensure that there is balance in my life. Lifestyle is the most important thing. I don’t mean making a bunch of money or buying really expensive things, but having important rituals in life, doing the things that I really care about, and spending time with the people that matter. When I work, I will work hard, but I cannot become consumed by my selfish motivations.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR UPCOMING ITALIADESIGN STUDENTS?
Be a sponge.
Do the best work that you possibly can.