A Survey for Designers Working Abroad.
Hi. I am working on a Dual-Degree Masters in Urban Design and I am interested in the experiences of designers who have chosen to move, live and work abroad in Shanghai, China. If you've arrived at this site, and you are an architect/designer/planner living more or less permanently abroad in Shanghai for at least 18 months, I would be extremely grateful if you took some time to answer any or all of these questions.
What to do:
There are five sections with questions and fields, occasionally with some text provided as a hint to the way you could formulate your answer. When you click 'Submit', I receive whatever you have entered into the fields. It would be best if you completed the entire survey now, but if you want you can submit some responses now and then return later and submit more. Just make sure each time you enter your name and contact email so that I know when multiple submissions belong to the same person. If you have any questions or comments or would like to have the survey as a word document to fill out, please email me at adamodgers@gmail.com THANK YOU!
Privacy:
Your responses will ONLY be used for my Master Thesis research. If it seems appropriate later on to quote you directly in the publication of my thesis, I will ask you for written permission first.
Name
First Name
Last Name
Gender
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E-mail
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Year
Nationality
Origin
Where have you lived from birth until first international move: when, where, type of place, type of building, with whom?
1982-1993, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, suburb, single-family house, 4 (brother, sister, mother, father)...
How do you describe your concept of ‘Home’ during this time?
Education
In what kinds of formal institutions (public/private) were you educated, where were they, and how long did you spend at each?
K-8 Public Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 85-94, Public High School, Phoenix, 94-98, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, Bachelor's Degree, 98-02
What languages did you learn during this time? (how/why?)
English-native speaker, Spanish-4 years in High School
How/why did you come to study ‚design’?
What does ‘design’ mean to you? (as a process, career, lifestyle, etc.)
What did you consider to be your strengths & weaknesses as a designer?
Are there any people that were influential in your shaping your worldview? (parents, siblings, friends, teachers, etc.)
What was your professional experience prior to moving abroad?
1998, Internship, Fellers & Co. Advertising, Oklahoma City, OK, 1998-2001, Illustrator, Futura Graphics, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 2001-2006, Project Designer, Gould Evans, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Moving Abroad
Prior to first moving abroad, describe your international travel experience:
How did you first come into the opportunity to move abroad? How/why did you decide to move to China?
How important was it/is it to learn the ‚local’ language? What challenges do you face in learning the ‚local’ language?
It what ways have you adapted or not adapted to your new city?
Have you been able to establish a ‘Home’ in Shanghai? If so, how do you describe your ‘Home’ in Shanghai?
Do you consider yourself a member of any communities (architecture, expat, etc.)? If so, how/what/which?
Professional Experience Post-Emigration
How have you, as a designer, embedded yourself in local offices, activities, or processes? (Discuss projects or activities.)
Why have you chosen this Project/Activity?
Describe the Project/Activity in terms of Program, Site, Structure, Financing, etc.
Describe your experience of working on this project/activity.
How have your skills/abilities as a designer evolved or been affected by your experience working on this project/activity?
Can you identify any milestones/realizations at which you made crucial progress towards a better understanding or appreciation of your new professional surroundings?
The Future
What are your primary professional career goals?
How long do you intend to stay where you are currently; where will you go next, and what factors influence such decisions?
Submit
Should be Empty: