Phase 02 - Week 07
Research Journal
I will be working towards achieving the following learning outcomes detailed in my assignments tab including:
LO2: Contextualise - Appraise the social, political and historical contexts in which design practice operates.
LO3: Analyse - Evaluate research findings and use sound judgement that is informed by critical debate at the forefront of the academic discipline.
LO5: Imagine - Deliver appropriate and innovative ideas that embrace risk, have contemporary relevance and question the boundaries of the discipline.
LO6: Make - Select and utilise relevant tools, skills and technologies in the delivery, iteration and sustainable production of an outcome.
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.
LO10: Manage - Demonstrate applied planning and organisational skills to support self-directed project work and inform ongoing professional development needs.
Phase 02/Wk 07: Define, Test + Prepare
Project Recap - Weeks 6 - 7
Last week:
I had my tutorial with Ben, who initially approved my submission proposal, but we discussed pinpointing ‘sustainable habits’ into one specific area - ‘The newly restored drinking fountain’
Research further Academic Papers
Look into more detail about my target audience - look at Ordnance survey reports any data available from East Grinstead Town Council.
This week:
Find out who is responsible for overall maintenance and restoration works
SWOT Analysis
Go to Dans tutorial for tips on how to write a research proposal
Investigating the local Jubilee Drinking Fountain - who is it for and is it being used?
I wanted to research the history to test if my project is viable so I approached Alison Merricks the Estate Manager at the East Grinstead Town Council. Although the local council supported the reinstatement of the facility, it was local support and fundraising Robin Whalley from ‘The East Grinstead Society’ that got the project and fundraising off the ground.
Background and history
The historical background of the public drinking water fountain in East Grinstead is quite fascinating. In the 1850s, the quality of drinking water in London, mainly sourced from the highly polluted River Thames, was so poor that people chose to drink beer instead of water. This decision was due to the high incidence of cholera caused by consuming polluted water. Consequently, an initiative was launched to provide clean drinking water from publicly available fountains, with the first one being established in Holborn in 1859. Similar public fountains were subsequently installed, particularly in London.
Moving to East Grinstead, the Reverend Charles Walter Payne Crawfurd aimed to design and construct a public drinking water fountain in the town's High Street to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. The fountain, initially proposed in January 1887, was completed in time for the Jubilee on June 21, 1887. It featured water spouting from the mouths of four "dolphins" and was adorned with a feathers motif on the finial. However, on the day of the Jubilee, the fountain was found to have been sprinkled with boiled tar, possibly due to a dispute involving the Reverend Crawfurd and the Town Band.
Over the years, both the dolphins and the feathers motif disappeared, and it's believed that the fountain ceased functioning in the 1970s. However, in 2021, several local community individuals, including the "By the Fountain" restaurant owner, expressed a desire to reinstate the fountain due to its prominent position on the historic High Street. The Vice Chair of the East Grinstead Society also saw this as a worthwhile initiative. It aimed to complete the restoration by the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Challenges and restoration
The restoration process was never straightforward, and it encountered several challenges. The ownership of the fountain needed to be clarified, as it sat on West Sussex County Council land but was not owned or maintained by them. Additionally, there were difficulties related to the cleaning and reinstatement of certain missing parts of the fountain, which required approval from heritage organisations and conservation officers. Ultimately, with the support of various partners and contributors, the East Grinstead Society secured funding for cleaning, minor repairs, and reconnection to the main water supply.
The initial restoration efforts were funded by the East Grinstead Society and supported by organisations such as Meridian Rotary, East Grinstead Lions, and the By the Fountain Restaurant. Cleaning of the fountain was completed in time for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, revealing traces of the tar poured on it in 1887.
Southeast Water played a crucial role in the restoration process by locating the original supply pipe within the fountain and reconnecting it to the main water supply. This, along with the design modifications to satisfy conservation and planning regulations, culminated in successfully reinstating the historic public drinking water fountain.
The Jubilee Fountain officially reopened on 22nd April 2024. It was attended by children from Year 3 from Estcots Primary School, who enthusiastically brought their water bottles to refill them, and members of East Grinstead Cycling Club.
Although the opening ceremony received positive press coverage, and it was perceived as a valuable facility for the town, it hasn’t had the usage the Council and Society had hoped it would. I asked Alison if there had been any research on this.
“Sadly, the water fountain is not being used as much as hoped and we are currently dependent on the outdoor services team flushing the fountain 3 – 4 times a week. We have recently added a drinking water sign near the fountain and started promoting on social media to encourage a new audience. As the summer is finally on its way, we are hoping the fountain will be more popular.”
Swot analysis
After discussing with Alison Merricks from the East Grinstead Town Council, I decided to create a SWOT analysis to identify and develop a strategy that could enhance their strengths, address their weaknesses, and possibly capitalise on opportunities with other businesses within the area. This could also mitigate threats not already though of and position themselves for long-term sustainable success within the community.
Points and considerations
Although I feel I am making progress in pinpointing my research area, I have no idea how I will link this to a practice-based design outcome and the community's connection to the restored water fountain.
Areas to further explore may include:
Social Media Campaigns - this will target a younger audience (Gen Z, Alphas)
Historical/Educational Content - infographics and short videos
Events and Activities - Does this area need better lighting around it?
Sustainability Initiatives - Such as the recycling schemes in Berlin
Health and Wellness Promotion - Tie in with local gyms or fitness challenges (East Grinstead Run club or Cyclists)
Tutorial with Dan - Writing a research proposal
This week’s tutorial addressed how creating a research proposal is fundamental in embarking on any academic or scientific investigation, which requires meticulous planning and preparation. It is essential to start by identifying a clear and compelling research question or hypothesis, which will guide the overall direction of the study. In today’s lecture, Dan discussed vital areas for preparing a proposal based on his own PhD research which he shared with us.
Ultimately, sticking to this framework, starting off methodically and creating well-prepared research demonstrates expertise and preparedness and lays a solid foundation for the successful execution of my FMP.
Here are the key pointers to include:
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Implying questions
The main area of investigation
Potential argument
Standpoint
Try to be specific
Keep it brief
Reflect on key issues
Remember, the working title can change
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Cover the main concerns
Briefly define your subject
Is it practice-based?
Pose your questions
Aims and objects - set search criteria
Aim: The main problem you are tackling
Objectives: Steps (6) to meet the aim
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Consider relevant area - could be part of several narratives
Not limited to one historical narrative
Ensure that they are necessary
History of ideas and innovation
History of the medium
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Outline your research is original
Current work: exciting work that is relevant to your work - and has a connection
Existing research that you’ll build on
Awareness of the field
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Evaluate the research of others
The amount of theoretical work will vary
Many potential routes, none exclusive
Theory helps you avoid claims
Theory allows you to be reflective
The theory allows you to be rigorous
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Methodology and methods
Methods are like research techniques
Methodology - explains how and why
The theoretical framing of methods includes:
Quantitive
Qualitative
Mixed methods
Less well established
in practiceDescribe rational
What is the theory for
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Outline from the outset any ethical considerations
Discuss these briefly (not too much, but a sense of understanding)
Through the ethics review process (The Arts Council) to protect you
To safeguard researchers and participants
How will you evidence your practice
Will you exhibit your work - if so, how?
Search University Libraries
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What will the final submission be?
Text only (an entirely written thesis)
Will it have illustrations? What Kind?
Will there be external links?
Will there be a major practice element?
How will you evidence your practices
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May use visual examples of you work
Make sure these are relevant
Caption your work clearly
Artist, Title, Year, Size, Medium
Describe what the work is (2 sentences)
You can include URLs but signpost clearly
Keep moving image to short edits
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Discuss the relevant parts of your MA
How might you be able to build on this
Talks about any relevant employment
Be selective - pieces of experience
Discuss any other relevant experiences
Volunteer work? Teaching? Freelance
Any publications
And awards
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You won’t have all the references, yet
Include sources that give you an overview -
Books, Journal Articles, Artworks
Cite properly - Harvard referencing system
One side of A4 is probably enough for references
These notes are incredibly helpful at this stage, when I still feel I’m wading through treacle and my concept is not thoroughly formed. “Trust the process,” I keep being told!
Reference List
Websites
East Grinstead Society -Video – East Grinstead High Street Jubilee Fountain. Available at: https://www.eastgrinsteadsociety.org