One thing about thesis design projects at OCAD that can be both freeing and crippling, is that students can pretty much choose whatever topic they want theirs to be about. For once, you can choose to do a project on something you're really interested in, and all you have to do is prove that there's a reason for this project to exist in the world. Maybe it can make some aspect of people's lives better, or help a business run more smoothly. After pitching it on the first week of school in September, you might be advised to pivot the idea just a little, by specifying a different demographic or pursuing a different path to addressing to a problem but very rarely will they suggest you choose an entirely different starting point.
The flipside of this golden opportunity, is that with so many possibilities, so many good ideas out there, how do I pick the one? What if I decide on one and decide several months in that I would rather have chosen a different one? Which one will look good on my portfolio when applying to my dream job in the future? All valid questions to be asking. And these were questions that I did find myself asking. Was it helpful? Not so much until I decided what I wanted to get out of thesis. It's possible to have it all -- awards, self-fulfillment, a relevant portfolio piece, a job right out of graduation -- but what is more important to me? What do I really hope to get out of it, and what would simply be a nice bonus?
Inspiration for my thesis project came to me from an unexpected place. It started from the smallest of sparks, a happenstance actually. In the summer after my third year at OCAD, a prof told our class that we could consider taking the idea from a project we did for another class and develop that as a thesis project. I kept that at the back of my mind as I went into my fourth year (I did my thesis in my fifth year), when I knew I would be taking mostly elective courses, so it was likely that I would come across a project that I was passionate about which I could make into my thesis. Fall semester of fourth year went by, and classes that I thought would excite me left me doubting what I really wanted to pursue long-term. Winter semester began, and I was taking an elective in sustainable fashion and textiles as well as a compulsory course for my program called professional prep. While the elective was enriching and a joy to learn from, surprisingly my idea for my thesis came from professional prep (or maybe it's not so surprising considering that is one thing the course is set up to do).
Up until almost the end of the fourth year of my degree, I never would’ve thought that I’d end up doing a service design project in healthcare. But as I learned more about the practice and the field, and after having conversations with more people, everything just felt right. I made a decision to frame my thesis this way for myself: it is a prime opportunity to explore. I would have two semesters to develop a project of my choice, with guidance from two design professionals, and with nothing really at stake. It was my chance to test the healthcare and service design waters to see if it’s something I want to pursue further. My resolve was that even if this pathway ended up being a dud, at least I would have one less fork in the road to wonder about.
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