Week 10: Exploring Discursive Design and the Future of Education
The tenth week of our communication design module delved into the realm of discursive design, finding the middle ground between art, design, and theory. A significant focus was placed on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in design, pondering the future landscape of studios and educational institutions. Questions arose regarding the content that future students would be engaged in and the evolving nature of learning.
Provocateur: Jack Bardwell
The session featured insights from guest speaker Jack Bardwell, offering perspectives on agency in the context of design. References to Thomas Mathews and Illich's "Deschooling Society" opened discussions on alternative approaches to education. Exploration extended to transformative teaching methods, drawing inspiration from bell hooks' "Teaching to Transgress" and Sam Thorne's work on schools.
What we did
We went for a walk around the campus, chatting about different places like the cafe, the art shop, walls, and notice boards. Our goal was to figure out any hidden issues in those areas that we could address to raise awareness. When we returned, we brainstormed ideas on how to be creative and effectively convey the underlying problems we identified.
We focused on the estate people's role and the problem with traditional notice boards that often go unnoticed, especially when placed in ignored spots. Additionally, students are not allowed to put up things on walls, limiting the available space for communication. We brainstormed and came up with an innovative solution: a suit adorned with paper fringes where people could write anything they wanted others to know.
To test our idea, we wore these unique suits and walked around the campus. The experiment turned out to be a success as people noticed the walking notice boards and were intrigued to read what others had written.
What we learnt
Participating in an experiment where I served as a human notice board was a peculiar yet enlightening experience. Since I typically avoid being the center of attention, initially, the idea of being one of the five individuals functioning as notice boards triggered anxiety. The close proximity required for people to write on the paper sheets added to the discomfort. However, upon reflection, the experience turned out to be quite enjoyable. It was intriguing to observe that people genuinely took interest in unconventional endeavors like being a walking notice board.
Looking back, I found it fascinating to be a part of something unconventional and to witness people's curiosity about it. Surprisingly, the concept of a walking notice board resonated with them. Through this unique experiment, we gained insights into what individuals thought about Falmouth University. Participants shared their perspectives on the school space, identifying its shortcomings and suggesting improvements. A recurring theme was the desire for increased collaboration among students from different courses and the exploration of joint adventures.
Metaphors for Boundaries and Campus Exploration
A unique aspect of the week involved metaphorical exploration, specifically considering metaphors for boundaries in the context of air flows and class boundaries. A campus stroll was undertaken, scrutinizing various locations such as the cafe, art shop, walls, and notice boards. Subsequently, a brainstorming session ensued, generating ideas for pushing boundaries creatively and communicatively.
Addressing Campus Notice Boards: A Creative Intervention
The chosen focus centered on the role of estate personnel and the inefficiency of traditional notice boards. A creative solution emerged: a suit adorned with fringes of paper, providing a mobile platform for people to share information. The team conducted an experiment, donning these suits and walking around the campus. The innovative approach proved successful, capturing attention and fostering interest among observers who perceived the suits as walking notice boards.
The tenth week showcased the intersection of design, theory, and practical application, emphasizing the evolving landscape of design education and the potential of creative interventions to address communication challenges. The journey continues, combining theoretical exploration with hands-on, boundary-pushing endeavors in the field of communication design.
Week 11
This week focused on nine essential aspects for discursive designers to consider:
1. Intention
2. Understanding
3. Message
4. Scenario
5. Artifact
6. Audience
7. Context
8. Interaction
9. Impact
These facets provide a clear hierarchy for setting goals and improving the complex decision-making process in design.
We also explored Woody Allen's approach to movie-making, delved into a Four-Field Hybridity Diagram, and discussed elements like satire, narrative, and object rationality.
During the week, we engaged in three exercises. The first involved writing about a happy memory or event—I shared about enjoying a mini pizza in Florence, Italy. The second exercise prompted us to write about a challenging time in our lives; I wrote about returning to India during the COVID-19 pandemic via a rescue flight. Lastly, we sketched an object that could have been helpful during that difficult situation, making a critical statement in the process.
Lizzie gave a project from a past student which resonated a bit with my own boundaries project, it was called Design Dice, which was made to be a tool for designers to help with their process and increase efficiency.
Screenprinting Workshop
Martin's exercise of finding out the anthropology of an object made a huge impact as it was directly related to my boundaries essay, I used the exercise for research in my essay as well which helped me to organize the key informations about the object.
Module Readings
