Some of the following workshops, events and excursions I have identified as “bonding experiences”, those that were and can be examples of fertile grounds for forming friendships. I am using this post to identify what has been done already, what needs to be re-enforced or re-invented in the forth-coming academic year when I am to take over a group of Year 2 students where the majority (35 students) come from the same foreign country and the minority (25 students) are a mixed bag. My observation lead me to believe that ensuring more connection, communication and sharing is necessarily, and I am using this ARP project to identify actions to support my belief in a healthier and more wholesome studentship.
The Writing Retreat
Although this workshop thematically designed by our team, but spatially designed by me, brings me to the conclusion that beside tasks that will help students hone their personal projects, I can design tasks that will require the participation of one to two peer additionally.
The Christmas Party 2023
Organised by the team, initiated by me.
Insight: to organise more informal social events (film evenings, drink&draw, zine workshop) and encourage students to use the classroom after class to initiate their own according to their interests. I can get the ball rolling, but allow them to create their own “sports”.
Small groups
Whenever possible, build small groups up to 4 peer maximum, spending additional time to “interfere with destiny” and create groups paying attention to avoid “cliques”.
Industry Practice Briefings
These serve as very good bonding experiences, as the groups are relatively small and the students are all focus on a shared brief. As a tutor, I can definitively encourage more meet-ups or sharing groups after hours they can organise.
Setting up Exhibitions
Exhibition design and organisation is a “war” with its pinnacle – the installation “the main battlefield”. It is usually a time when you realise who you can depend on, and a time when through the physicality of doing things together students bond.
Insight: besides the scheduled exhibitions, instigate Work in Progress or guerilla shows.
Design Competitions
The students below have self-initiatively entered the D&AD awards and won a pencil! They were not close friends at the beginning of the competition, but identified themselves as the ambitious ones. They certainly became good friends, sharing meals and organising house hang-outs. They were informally supported by willing staff member, but can we organise internal competitions at GBI maybe mixing year group so we get higher participation?
