interactive media design & research

DR NICOLA WOOD

video

I regularly make short videos for youTube featuring woodland craft skills and knife making more >>>

spoons

I also carve Scandinavian-style spoons and teach weekend courses in spoon carving more >>>

contact

nicola{at} nicolawood.net

download CV >>>

Whilst on the surface my research deals with issues regarding learning craft skills, on a deeper level it addresses communication problems that can be encountered in many areas of design and reveals methods for unlocking the knowledge of others.

This understanding of craft learning and the model of apprenticeship I have developed could have applications not purely in the immediate area of the crafts, but also in any area where a tacit understanding needs to be developed.

transmitting craft

My research involves designing interactive learning resources to record and transmit the expert knowledge of skilled craft practitioners. I have developed innovative methods of eliciting knowledge in subjects that are rich with tacit (unspoken) knowledge and expertise in the design of learning materials to support learners in this field. Details here.

folding knife project

In this joint research project, I have worked with contemporary Sheffield knifemaker Grace Horne and some of the remaining traditional Sheffield master craftsmen, developing learning materials to support those wishing to learn the skills needed to make traditional folding knives. Details here.

publications

All my publications, including my PhD thesis, are available here with abstracts and full documents available for download in PDF format.

A video overview of my work: