directions – a non-visual sketch

Third week – would have liked to move faster, less obvious progress outcomes, concrete, ones, this week. I would define this week as one for thoughts to mature, founding done is more of the same, if that makes sense… parallel to wish to move faster, I do recognize further understanding of what I want… I´m looking for something I know already (in a way), at moments I can sense it, but I can´t touch it yet. And it is becoming clearer.

Moments of clarification, third week as well is one of confusion; suddenly I have no idea of what I just articulated, or rather, I start to question, and find opposition(s) possible as well. As thoughts are becoming more clear, I start to see contradictions in what I want to do (of course depending of what / how you define / frame. Maybe I can make use of it, and combine.

A non-visual sketch of directions; three main “areas” are identified, overlaps exist, and some design decisions  goes for all of them.

Performative qualities; outgoing / expressive communication, not necessarily on a “stage”, or dramatic, could be discrete, – a receiver of … , . Applied and common for all.

• Non-verbal communication; body language, and “instinct” level behavior / communication is of interest. An example of how we mirror each other, often unconsciously, to communicate “I find you ok”, some sort of confirmation. Weather there is status related issues I´m not sure about (right now). Read an article about how horses chew to show lower status, accepting else dominant. Expressing emotions, to enhance, underline them, possible track, design example communication apparel, embed same thoughts.
• Identity related issues; how we present and express ourselves towards each other, individual vs group, dynamic of individuals need to on one hand, belong and be part of, and on the other hand a need of differing, of uniqueness, of ones definition of one self. When we play with identities, re-invent ourselves, dress up, or dress out, the relation to “the audience”, real, or not, is one concern, but I also believe their is an internal process involved.
• Living entity; something which has its own life, an existent of some kind, associations are a”parrot” on the shoulder, a mouse put in a pocket. Something you carry with you, as a mascot, which might have decorative qualities. A lot of visuals which appear is related to movements, this living entity move in one way or, another.

program – flash mobs

Following design program (see earlier post on) have the title flash mobs… A living entity… a parrot on the shoulder, a mouse put in a pocket, a mini tiny doggy – a mascot of some kind. I associated to decorations as military, or royalties use(d) to wear. The qualities in the program would be the one I extract from a flash mob – surprise, the unusual, “smile”, a “shock light” (nice, opposed to speculative and shocking). I did the program in preparation for Experiment # 1….

first meeting with Kristina – my supervisor

First meeting with my supervisor Kristina… when I told her about my method sample examples, she suggested I´d look into the ideas of creating a design program. Johan Redström and Thomas Binder have written on the subject in “Exemplary Design Research”, and Binder together with Eva Brandt in “Experimental Design Research”.

Further, Kristina talked about the importance of, or at least pointed out, contextualization of a concept, design, or artifact…. Background: one idea of mine, inspired by the material, which I presented, was lacking context. Kristina suggested I´d consider having a concrete situation, or a theme, for the ideas… she mentioned Anna Vallgårda, and her PhD project, where she explored materials, but without any context. In contrast, Kajsa G. Eriksson, another PhD, is working with clothes as creators of meaning.

And, the examples I´m collecting don´t have to be wearables… Kristina reminded me.

method – sample examples

modular moves is an exploratory project; doing experiments as a  tool to gain understanding plays an important role, examples of  wearables is another. To give some structure and visualize the intended work process I made a model, and call it method sample examples (at least for now).

In short, examples are gathered, and mapped, aspect are extracted by analysis, then the aspects are used as parameters for generating ideas, and concepts.

The collection of examples, play different roles, and are used for various reasons: (1) they guide and help finding direction, to frame and defining the area; (2) modular moves is positioned in relation, and with reference to the examples which together form a map of the research area; (3) and the examples of wearables are sources for inspiration.

To uncover the qualities, or aspects embedded within the design examples, I´m using critiquing techniques described by Bardzell. My version of a “close reading”, would probably be a Critiquing Light.