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April 2010 Issue
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Writing on the Wall

 Students

Students are being asked for their feedback about the University's new Student Learning Hub on Hughes Plaza, writes Design Studies student Daniel Brookes.

My name is Daniel, and I like graffiti. And, you know, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who does.

Students love defacing things, giving their opinions, discussing, debating, making controversy. And when it comes to the new "Learning Hub" - the $35 million project being built on Hughes Plaza especially for students - I know a lot of people will want to give their opinion on where those millions are going. Thankfully, a bunch of Architecture students have come up with a solution.

A new student 'consultation wall' has been constructed in the Barr Smith Library, and will provide regularly updated information on the Hub throughout 2010. From concept to completion, the wall will give everyone the chance to provide feedback on the design, from what kind of services are included in the Hub, right through to the interior finishes.

The installation can be found in front of the temporary hoardings on level three of the library. It consists of large floor-to-ceiling acrylic boards which spell out 'WHAT?', and information is printed onto this acrylic. Permanent markers are supplied so that students can write on the boards, graffiti-style; useful feedback will ultimately inform the final Learning Hub outcome.

The project was created by third-year Design students Mara O'Toole, Tin Do, and myself, and funded by the University's Property Services Department.

"We wanted to make the wall as fun to use as possible," said O'Toole, pointing out the use of bright greens and pinks, and the large, pixelated typography.

The outcome is strongly defiant of the University's typical consultation approach. Whereas in the past, online surveys, application forms and emails have been the traditional student feedback medium, the design team agreed that a back-to-basics approach would be more fun and, crucially, more engaging to students.

"We [as students] don't always want to fill out surveys online... I'm guilty of deleting all of those promotional emails," O'Toole said.

The consultation wall is a non-digital, hands-on installation which encourages feedback written by hand. As Do points out, "It's more personal that way, and you can see what other people are thinking, too."

The design is an exciting social experiment.

"We're not sure exactly what kind of comments people will be writing," said Do, "but we are pretty certain it will be constructive."

As well as the consultation wall, the Project Development staff have assembled a dedicated Student Reference Group, with students who will continually assess the Learning Hub designs through to its completion, as well as an integrated marketing internship program.

From a student perspective, the new consultation wall heralds the first time in a long time that the University has engaged interested students in a practical, hands-on installation. "We're really grateful for the experience," said O'Toole.

Let's hope the student feedback will be equally positive.

This article originally appeared in the student publication On Dit: http://ondit.com.au

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Image courtesy of Daniel Brookes

Image courtesy of Daniel Brookes
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