Empathize
Empathize
You will collaborate with local DJs and music historians to gather insights into the impact of cultural and historical influences on music genres, documenting your findings to develop a foundation for your DJ sets.
Days 1 - 3
Define
Define
You will synthesize research on cultural and historical influences in music by creating an actionable problem statement that will guide the development of your DJ set and music timeline, using insights from community partners and peer feedback.
Days 4 - 6
Ideate
Ideate
You will brainstorm a wide range of innovative DJ set concepts by exploring diverse musical genres and technology with your partner, guided by insights from your kick-off session and community partner interactions, to identify unique ways to integrate cultural and historical influences into your work.
Days 7 - 10
Prototype
Prototype
You will craft and iteratively refine a prototype DJ set by combining diverse musical genres, drawing on historical and cultural contexts, while actively incorporating feedback from both peers and a local DJ, to prepare for a live performance and Interactive Music Timeline Expo presentation.
Days 11 - 15
Test/Present
Test/Present
You will present your interactive music timeline at the 'Interactive Music Timeline Expo', perform your live DJ set, and gather feedback from local DJs and community members to refine and validate your work for authentic cultural and historical integration.
Days 16 - 20
Empathize
Days 1–3
Day 1
Meet Local DJs and Historians
Launch
90m
Day 2
Document User Research
Deliverable
120m
Day 3
Cultural Influences Research Cards
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Define
Days 4–6
Day 4
POV and HMW Draft
Deliverable
90m
Day 5
Genre History Research & Timeline Sketch
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 6
Studio Tech Walkthrough and Beat Practice
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Ideate
Days 7–10
Day 7
Collaborative Concept Ideation Pack & Gallery Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 8
DJ Concept Ideation Pack
Deliverable
90m
Day 9
Master Beatmatching and Crossfading Techniques
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 10
Cultural Histories: Timelines with Tech
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Prototype
Days 11–15
Day 11
Prototype Set: Critique and Timeline Gallery
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 12
DJ Set Prototyping Iterations
Deliverable
90m
User Testing Documentation
Deliverable
90m
Day 13
Refine Essential Question with Studio Partner
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 14
Timeline Annotations for Gallery Walk
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 15
Mock Live DJ Set with Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Test/Present
Days 16–20
Day 16
Empathy Maps with Locals
Deliverable
60m
Day 17
Masterclass Q&A Prep with Local DJ
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 18
Masterclass Q&A Prep
Deliverable
60m
Day 19
Gallery Walk Prep and Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 20
Music Expo Showcase
Assessment
2m
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 1
Empathize
Meet Local DJs and Historians
29
Day 2
Document User Research
30
Day 3
Cultural Influences Research Cards
1
Day 4
Define
POV and HMW Draft
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 5
Genre History Research & Timeline Sketch
6
Day 6
Studio Tech Walkthrough and Beat Practice
7
Day 7
Ideate
Collaborative Concept Ideation Pack & Gallery Feedback
8
Day 8
DJ Concept Ideation Pack
12
Day 9
Master Beatmatching and Crossfading Techniques
13
Day 10
Cultural Histories: Timelines with Tech
14
Day 11
Prototype
Prototype Set: Critique and Timeline Gallery
15
Day 12
DJ Set Prototyping Iterations
User Testing Documentation
19
Day 13
Refine Essential Question with Studio Partner
20
Day 14
Timeline Annotations for Gallery Walk
21
Day 15
Mock Live DJ Set with Feedback
22
Day 16
Test/Present
Empathy Maps with Locals
26
Day 17
Masterclass Q&A Prep with Local DJ
27
Day 18
Masterclass Q&A Prep
28
Day 19
Gallery Walk Prep and Feedback
29
Day 20
Music Expo Showcase