Phase 01 - Week 03
Research Journal
This is a record of my project development, showing my weekly tasks, research, design development processes, critical reflection and regular peer reviews.
LO2: Contextualise — Appraise the social, political and historical contexts in which design practice operates.
LO8: Design — Realise a final solution that evidences its strategic journey and clear relationship between form and function.
LO9: Communicate — Communicate effectively in a range of contexts and situations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Phase 01/Wk 03: Research + Discover
Portugal - Time out
Not ideal timing, but this was a pre-booked 4-day break to Portugal (rescheduled from the previous year) when, unfortunately, my sister-in-law got breast cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy, which was my influence for Shop - GDE730 . If Stefan Sagmeister can take off a year, (every seven years, he takes a year long sabatical) I’m sure I can handle a 4 day mini break. After the exhaustion of the last year, working full time and studying for this MA, I knew the break would be fantastic ‘chat therapy’, and I took my sketchbook and a series of podcasts I’d kept promising myself to listen to.
One of these podcasts, which had been recommended to me, was “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. In this podcast, he explores the transformative power of small, consistent actions in shaping our habits and how we go about our lives. His methodology, which centres on the idea that minor, incremental adjustments can lead to substantial improvements, offers a blueprint for habit formation through a simple framework - cue, craving, response, and reward.
I wondered if I could apply his ethos to my own practice and develop a new routine or system which could enhance my craft, such as:
Learn new techniques
Discover a new typeface?
Look at new colour palettes,
Read up on white papers/industry news
Creating a system that builds into my daily routine doesn’t have to be time-consuming but may help me get organised in my life/work/study balance.
Atomic Habits by James Clear - The book that got my thought process moving
I thought it might also help me get out of the stuck in a rut that continually sees me waste time…
doom scroll on social media
never accept work that is out of my comfort zone
constantly doubt my abilities
over-deliver on projects, which always makes me late for the next project
never charging enough for my design time
By changing my routine by emphasising the power of these small, incremental changes in my daily behaviour, I hope to achieve a significant personal and professional growth. But could I influence others to do the same using the same methodologies?
James Clear's concept of 1% improvement could be applied to various aspects of life. Could I link these principles to my FMP? Yes! I set about crafting the subjects that I felt most passionate about.
Good friends, a sun lounger, and alcohol are a great combination for a live panel discussion or a sounding board for various opinions and topics.
These are my sketchbook scribbles and the breakdown on topics that are meaningful to me:
1. Menopause - A ‘hot topic’ in the news for women of a certain age. By exploring menopause, I could bring attention to an important yet often stigmatised phase of life that affects half of the population. This could help normalise conversations around menopause, educate audiences, and support those experiencing it.
I could create a series of informational posters, an interactive app discussing symptoms and/or a multimedia campaign that includes personal stories, medical information, and visual representations of symptoms and experiences.Additionally, I could look into supportive resources such as workshops, documentries or community-building platforms.
2. Ageism and stereotypes in graphic design - This refers back GDE720 to a guest lecture by Greg Bunbury and the stereotypes he faced being a black designer. He used his graphic design to his advantage when he curated a collection of work based on the phrase “I can’t breathe” by George Floyd when he was arrested and subsequently died by the actions of the US police in May 2020. As well as an established artist, Greg is a diversity and inclusion consultant, public speaker and champion for Black Outdoor Art.
This lecture was an insightful topic at addressing discrimination within the industry and broader society. Not that I have experienced it myself, by tackling this subject could shed light on how design often skews towards youth, overlooking the experiences and needs of the older generation. This project could discover greater inclusivity and challenge stereotypes, emphasising the value of diverse age perspectives in design. To shape this project, I could consider creating a campaign highlighting older designers' contributions, showcasing inclusive design practices, and educating about the benefits of age diversity.
Design by Women - website
When I started looking into the initial research for this project, I was flabbergasted at how much research was out there. This article from last year from the website Design by Women had the headline - Is the Design Industry Ageist?
The article explores the issue of ageism in the design industry, revealing a significant bias towards younger designers. The industry often undervalues older professionals despite their extensive experience and contributions. This ageism manifests in various forms, including hiring practices, workplace culture, and project assignments. Older designers frequently face challenges in finding new opportunities, are overlooked for promotions, and experience a lack of representation in design-centric media and events.
Like the challenges and stereotypes Greg Bunbury faced as a black designer, the article suggests that the industry's obsession with youth and novelty clichés (trendy glasses and a cap) sidelines the wisdom and stability that experienced designers bring. It argues for the need to challenge stereotypes and promote age diversity, can enrich the design process and result in more innovative and inclusive outcomes. The piece also highlights the importance of mentorship and knowledge transfer between generations, advocating for a more supportive and equitable industry environment.
For my FMP, addressing ageism could involve creating awareness, designing inclusive workplace policies, or visual narratives that celebrate the contributions of older designers. This project could be shaped into various formats, such as a series of posters, a short documentary, a digital platform showcasing stories of older designers. Integrating interviews, statistics, and personal stories would add depth and authenticity to the project, making it compelling and socially relevant.
3. Creating sustainable systems (based on James Clears Atomic Habits) and appealing to a new audience
I enjoyed researching the sustainable aspects of Module GDE720 on the Repair Café. This is an excellent topic for my FMP, and I could look at targeting Gen Z, who are highly conscious of environmental issues but don’t necessarily abide by them. This project could harness the power of design to educate and motivate this tech-savvy, socially aware generation towards adopting small sustainable habits and changes to their lifestyle.
By focusing on small, incremental changes, the project can offer practical and accessible solutions that Gen Z can easily integrate into their daily routines. Potential project ideas include designing a series of visually engaging guides on reducing waste, conserving energy, and making eco-friendly purchasing decisions. Infographics, social media campaigns, and interactive digital platforms can be utilised to encourage participation. I could create a mobile app that tracks individual sustainability goals and provides tips and rewards. I need to research what is already on the market and what James Clear has already produced so there is no plagiarism. Maybe an early focus group would help me discover if this is needed or if another design approach may be needed.
“As the first generation to grow up with climate change as a defining issue, Gen Z is deeply concerned about the environment and expects companies to prioritise sustainability in their business practices. As such, marketers must understand the values and preferences of Gen Z regarding sustainability to connect with this growing consumer group effectively.”
Creating a system addressing the need for local environmental responsibility could benefit my local community by focusing on promoting sustainable habits and raising awareness about the environmental impact through design. Local initiatives could include educational materials for schools, community centres, and local businesses to promote recycling, composting, and energy-saving practices.
Additionally, by developing a key visual identity for a community-wide sustainability challenge, where residents track and share their eco-friendly actions, share local success stories, and provide resources to adopt a greener lifestyle, could this identity be based around the 1% catch? I’m a 1%? I think this could work…
Reference list
Websites
James Clear - Atomic Habits. Available at: https://jamesclear.com/
Greg Bunbury - Diversity and inclusion by design. Available at: https://bunbury.co/
The article Is the Design Industry Ageist? Available at: https://designby-women.com/is-the-design-industry-ageist/
Designing for Age, Agency & Joy. Available at: https://designage.org/
Why Gen Z Values Sustainability: Tips for Marketing to the Eco-Conscious Generation. Available at: https://kadence.com/why-gen-z-values-sustainability-tips-for-marketing-to-the-eco-conscious-generation/