me101
visual
thinking
SYLLABUS
ME101 Visual Thinking introduces you to the unique philosophy,
spirit, and tradition of the Stanford Design Division.
Visual thinking is a skill you will use to solve problems in a fluid,
flexible, and interdisciplinary way, overcoming mental barriers
and perceiving beyond stereotypes. The goal in this class is to
develop a balanced, whole-person approach to problem solving.
We will focus on exercising 'right brain' muscles: visual, spatial,
kinesthetic, and intuitive skills. Repetition, iteration, and good old
fashioned “trial & error” are the means by which you will
assimilate the skills and methods of ME 101. This is a hands-on
course. We stress learning by doing.
ME 101 places an emphasis on drawing because drawing is both
a powerful cognitive skill and an indispensable communication
tool. In addition to drawing, teamwork is essential. The majority
of people make it to Stanford due to their strengths as an
individual. In contrast, professional success as an engineer or
designer depends more on teamwork than the isolated genius.
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Goal A:
Visual communication
Expressing your ideas and thinking in a visual way
that includes both two and three-dimensional
formats.
Goal B:
Design methodology
Explore various approaches to design and choose
the ones that work well for you.
Goal C:
Creative problem solving
Develop a creative process that you can use to solve
problems not described in a textbook.
Goal D:
Team work
Practice working with other students in the class to
learn about the importance of and develop social
design skills.
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GRADING
DP1/Logbook
DP2/Logbook
DP3/Logbook
Homework, In-Class Effort
30%
30%
30%
10%
We try to make your grade reflect the following:
 Progress/Improvement
 Participation
 Skill
 Success (Did it work?!!)
 Effort/Enthusiasm
These things come through in the following components of grading:
Design Projects (DPs)
There are three major design projects. All will exercise your
thinking skills and contribute to your intellectual understanding of
visual thinking. Be forewarned: projects are time-intensive,
especially just before they are due. The two largest construction
projects happen during the first eight weeks of the course. The
basic factors that influence the grading of these projects are:
 Quantity (fluency, practice, iteration, see also logbook)
 Quality (craftsmanship, “WOW” appeal, original thinking)
 Teamwork (peer grading)
When we introduce each DP, specific grading criteria will be provided.
Logbook(s)
During the quarter you will keep a bound logbook(s). They are a
critical record of your work throughout the quarter, especially as a
document of your work on the design projects and other exercises.
We evaluate much of your progress through what we find in your
logbooks. Since improvement in skill level directly corresponds to
the amount of practice, we look for sheer quantity and effort.
Do most of your work in your logbooks. This includes:
 Brainstorming and Thought recording
 Problem solving
 Prototype development
 Extra drawing practice and exercises, etc.
Homework
Homework is structured to help you practice the skills we learn in
class. The homework will reflect what needs to be done in your
logbooks and help you create successful design projects! Your
freehand drawing ability and idea-generating skills will improve only
with lots of practice. Individuals who commit to extra practice will
see the benefits.
Format: Homework should be done on individual
sheets of appropriate marker paper. Presentation and
commitment count.
Grading: Homework is generally posted on the walls
and graded by the TA's during class. Late homework is
not accepted during the quarter.
Portfolio: Keep your homework stored neatly and
cleanly in your portfolio, which we ask for along with your
logbooks at the end of the quarter.
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TEXT BOOKS
No texts are required for the course. There are numerous
excellent books from which the course draws and on related
subjects that we are happy to recommend. Just ask.
OFFICE HOURS
Alex, Andrea, Mark, Hsiao-Yun and Brett are generally available
to answer questions, give individual attention, provide feedback
and help solve problems. Since we've had very little attendance
at office hours in the past, we will schedule things a bit differently
than normal. If you would like to talk, see one of us after class.
Or call one of us to set up an appointment.
Most questions and panic attacks occur near project due dates.
We will announce the time and location of special office hours
before those dates.
CONTACT INFO
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Mark Bolas
650.526-3972 work
bolas@well.com
Andrea Koerselman
650.289-3654 work
andreak@ideo.com
Alex Shullman
415.241-0441 work
ashullman@yahoo.com
Hsiao-Yun Chu
650.723.0326 loft
hychu@stanford.edu
Brett Newman
650.723.0326 loft
bnewman@stanford.edu
bolas/koerselman/shullman
me101
visual
thinking
CLASS SCHEDULE @ A GLANCE*
Tuesday
Thursday
JAN 08
INTRO TO ME101
JAN 10
INTRO TO DRAWING
JAN 15
BRAINSTORMING,
LOGBOOKS
JAN 17
INTRO TO SEEING,
FABULOUS FOAMCORE
JAN 22
RELAXED ATTENTION,
DRAWING
JAN 24
DRAWING,
PROTOTYPES
JAN 29
QUICK DRAWING,
IMPROV
JAN 31
DESIGN PROJECT #1
PRESENTATIONS
FEB 05
ADVANCED DRAWING
FEB 07
ADVANCED DRAWING,
MECHANISMS
FEB 12
ADVANCED DRAWING,
METHODOLOGIES
FEB 14
ADVANCED DRAWING,
METHODOLOGIES
FEB 19
ADVANCED DRAWING
FEB 21
METHODOLOGIES
FEB 26
DESIGN PROJECT #2
PRESENTATIONS
FEB 28
NEEDFINDING
MAR 05
CONCEPTUAL BLOCK
BUSTING, COLOR
MAR 07
FIGURE DRAWING,
IMPROV DANCE
MAR 12
SYNECTICS, NON-VISUAL
COMMUNICATION
MAR 14
DESIGN PROJECT #3
PRESENTATIONS
*We’ll keep you posted if anything changes.
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