Illustration by Ned Astra in The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions. New York: Calamus Books, 1977.

Week 3 : Social Dreaming and Making Tiny Noises 🧸

This week we were tasked to research more, make a mindmap and share a related project. I first looked into the different types of design research where I identified 'research through design'. Next, I did a mindmap and shared a project from my exchange semester to the atelier where I reflected on their feedback.

Walking Animation Walking Animation Walking Animation


Part ① : Notes on Design Research 📝

After the sharing from last week, I started looking at more resources from the Aterlier’s resource list. I listened to a podcast by Design Discipline where I learnt about the differences between 'research for design', 'research into design', and 'research through design'.

Design Discipline 'What Does Design Research Mean?' 2021

After listening, I identified that 'research through design' is best suited for how I would like to approach this project. Some of the highlights were 1. To use design to find out knowledge oustide of 'design', 2.User Testing with Artefacts and, 3. Allow people to manipulate.

Reflecting on these points, I imgained my artefact to allow space for more imaginations, find out more knowledge as I iterate the prototype and interact with them.

  • Notes on Design Research Marker, Pen, Post-its

Part ② : Between Discursive and Speculative Design 🔮

Next in the atelier resources, I attended the Elliot's class on design where he breaks down the different types of design into venn diagrams and futuristic narratives in a cone-like diagram.

Narrative Future Cones by Elliott Montgomery - The Extrapolation Factory, Co-Founder 2019

In his presentation about speculative design, he introduced projects that are quite absurd that reminded me of my interest in the unnatural/natural. Introducing a speculative project on cockroaches, he said "Speculative design is about depicting a future and asking and making good or bad ideas based on this future. The things you make become future objects. For example, if scientists found a way to control cockroaches to behave like humans, how would a musical player look controlled by cockroaches?"

It reminded me of my interest in blurring the lines between unnatural/natural.

After attending the class, I was more and less sure that my approach would be future-oriented. Either discursive or speculative, or something in between the realm of a plausible future. Plausible because my artefact will actually be interactive compared to these workshop-based outcomes of Montgomery.

Nontheless, these pictures were included as they explore the similar themes of human and nature relationship through various products. The reimagination of human and nature relationship is beginning to feel like an constellation of interconnected dreams. One where I hope to be part of! P.S. The theme of a store is interesting as well - something about the accessibility, consumption and the everyday experiences.

Part ③ : Drafting RPO 👀

    This week, we were assigned to create a draft of our first research proposal in bullet point form. Up to this point, I've only read one or two reviews about queer ecology and environmental aesthetics, and a pool of knowledge from videos that I can't cite. Nonetheless, I noted some tips while reviewing examples from previous year. General Tips [sumarrised] Note-To-Self:

    • (1) Establish problem from a diff. POV
    • (2) Emphasise on allowing people to understand how theories are linked
    • (3) Dive deeper into the identified research pillars

  • Notes on title and subtitle Paper, pencil and post-its

  • Notes on introduction and summary of reading Paper and pencil

④ 'How to make tiny movements loud?' 🚶‍♀️

This week ended with showcasing a related project. Taking my initial inspiration from Madeline Schwartzman, I decided to show my experimental project during my exchange last semester - where I attempted to materialise the hyperawareness of one’s existence.

'Causing the Motion' Project done at Design Academy Eindhoven 2024

Inspired by a tactile encounter with mylar that heightened my sensory experience, the experiment aimed to create a wearable to augment everyday movement, such as walking and sitting, into an audibly loud experience.

Making tiny movements loud made me realise how human senses and emotions are inherently connected. Revisiting this project from the perspective of 'extended senses' felt like a great case study for discussion in the atelier.

  • Prototype and User-Testing Walking and Sitting

Thinking Animation

Week 3 : Reflection & Feedback 🫦

Atelier was excited about the interest in pursuing an experimental route. An advised was given to experiment with how else I can augment my senses and do more readings.