jamrdesign

[jamrdesign]

So I came up with a few different ideas on some mindmap software. I think the most exciting to me is the bar game / experience concept. After watching that last video on our “towers”, I could create a set of blocks that act as signifiers of our experiences and beliefs. These could be used as an exercise to gain deeper understanding of each others lives in a fun way.

[jamrdesign]

Fantastic video, this has inspired me so much. The analogy that we all have these towers on our heads, and the implications of them is very interesting and could translate into something very physical. It would be interesting to work on creating a physical example of graphic design.

[jamrdesign]

So after stumbling across epistemology, which is the study of truth in philosophy, I purchased this book which is where the term ‘street epistomology’ is first used. I think this could be a great resource when researching how to tackle intolerance practically.

[jamrdesign]

{ meanwhile visuals for the essay are so fun to make, although the software is fiddly. Here I am using a wacom tablet and Clip Studio Paint, but I had some savings left over money from my student loan so purchased an iPad mini with an apple pencil - hopefully this will be great for note taking in the future }

[jamrdesign]

I was having some trouble really pinpointing what exactly was the problem at hand, so I asked myself some of the questions that I learned in the workshops. I envisioned myself as the problem, and then conducted an interview. I was intolerance, and ultimately I came to this idea of impartiality and respect, but also understanding. These could be ways to ‘calm’ intolerance. I also asked myself 5 whys. It seemed that people often believe that they know best, and that their way of living is the correct way. But that could also be seen as not knowing what is the right / wrong way to live. And in reality, there is no such thing. We could never know this, because we are only human, and there is nothing wrong with that.

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A collection of notes from my phone

[jamrdesign]

I did some research on the LGBTQIA+ experience in the UK, and found a government survey that had some interesting perspectives. One I found particularly interesting was the fact that 17.6% of LGBT+ people in the UK were Christian. I think it might be interesting to look at the relationship between these two demographics.

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remembered how important analogue is for my in design. And that the quality of a work is not always the most admirable quality. Sometimes simplicity and the human trace mark something as a work of art

[jamrdesign]

infrequent submission, equivalent to submission

[jamrdesign]

Dissertation Topic?

Racism + Graphic Design. Anti-black imagery Product Packaging Environmental Design i.e. segregation signs “coloureds only” Caricatures + Gender: - the women become the “mammy” https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/mammies/ - the men become the fool / “coon” The response / resistance - anti mammy strong image  

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 “Using Objects of Intolerance to Teach Tolerance and Promote Social Justice”

[jamrdesign]

This video has blown me away. The friendliness of the Afghan people is remarkable, they are so welcoming. This video perfectly captures tolerance, and human connection. A moment that was particularly potent was when the man discussed the connection he could make with people without saying a word, through one shared experience; being human. I noticed some beautiful design / street art in the video. This black and white art is similar to banksy, and the message is wonderful. Carry love.

[jamrdesign]

Write your own brief: (Step 1)

Love / Hate

Step 1 – What do you LOVE? In one column, write a list of at least ten things you love. Focus on the activities, objects and creative disciplines you have affection for.

Step 2 – What do you HATE? In a second column, write a list of ten things you hate. Focus here on specific issues, problems, attitudes, behaviours, etc. (rather than people!).

Step 3 – Attempt to write a brief (just one sentence or a paragraph) which uses one of the things you LOVE, to combat one of the things you HATE. How might we inspire conversation to unify in a world of division? How might we heal heartbreak through journaling? How might we teach self-love in aid of LGBTQ+ individuals suffering with religious guilt? How might we complement growing old with music? How might we use reading to confront damaging views related to religion?

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Write your own brief: (Step 2)

Finding Your Voice 

Step 1 – Write down one issue or problem from your HATE column, this is your Theme = Ancient views in religion 

Step 2 – for 5mins, write a stream of consciousness which covers every aspect of this theme. Don’t edit your thoughts, write down everything that comes to mind associated with this theme. 

Lifestyle, learning, grow up, indoctrination, sin and damnation, benevolence, set of rules, live by Gods word, what is God’s word? Ancient words, Worldwide, religious families, set in their ways, kicked out of home, love who you want to love, independence, ancient beliefs, shifting world, guilt, shame, sexuality, LGBTQ+, love, hate, trauma, damaging, scars, increased risk of depression and anxiety, lack of support, unchallenged opinions, damaging behaviours, irony, pray the gay away, conversion camps, isolation, guilt, hiding away, coming out, safety, controversy, acceptance / dismissal, homophobia, bigotry, fear, love thy neighbour, heaven / hell, disciplines, Jesus, fact vs fiction, church, social media, online, ceremony, atheists, politicians, court / police, abuse, under the radar, protection, self-help, ignored, 

Step 3 – Find the Threads. Look at all the words you have written down and try to find the things which connect some of these separate words together, and if you can, specifically look for message, audience and vehicle within your written responses. These connections could be similarities or just things which YOU think make sense together. You might find there are several different threads. Try to find at least three if you can. 

Perpetrators – religious families, set in their ways, set of rules, church, indoctrination, sin and damnation, God’s word, bible, ancient texts, kicked out of home, conversion camps, unchallenged opinions / behaviours, irony, homophobia, heaven / hell, blind faith 

Victims – LGBTQ+, growing up, kicked out of home, pray the gay away, guilt, trauma, isolation, conversion camps, coming out, increased risk of depression and anxiety, love who you want to love, fear, 

Enablers – Atheists, politicians, police, abuse under the radar, lack of protection / support, self-help encouraged, less role models, no jurisdiction of what is right and wrong, fear of challenging religion 

Step 4 – Look at each of your threads. Are there any issues or problems that can be dealt with? What change could be made to make a positive difference? Write down what possible actions would lead to the change you require. Inspire the perpetrators to change their stance  Speak to the victims directly and offer validation / support Warn the enablers of the risks associated with ancient religious views 

Step 5 – Attempt to write a series of potential briefs from these threads.

How might we offer a hand to the unseen victims of religion? How can we challenge the harmful views that accompany Christianity? How might we encourage religious people to widen their acceptance and let go of judgement of LGBTQ+ people? How might we defy the idea of damnation? How might we encourage religious people to consider LGBTQ+ positive interpretations of the bible?

[jamrdesign]

Write your own brief: (Step 3)

Big Problem → Small Problem

Step 1 – Write down one big global problem you care deeply about. 

Step 2 – Look for the small problem within the big problem. Make the problem smaller. 

Step 3 – Now, focus on the smaller problem and then look for an even smaller one within that. 

Step 4 – Solve the smallest problem. 

Sexism Women not seen as equals. Women’s emotions undervalued / overlooked. Display of emotion deemed hysterical. Gaslighting. Boys not raised to respect women’s feelings. Solve? A children’s book that illustrates to children that boys should remember to respect their female classmates. 

Toxic Masculinity High risk of suicide in men. False idea that men must bottle-up their emotions and carry on. Men find it difficult to cope with these feelings. Men don’t allow time for self-care. Self-care needs to be normalised for men. Solve? Guy’s Guide to Self-Care. Light-hearted but informative book outlining ways for men to be mindful of their feelings and cope with them well.

[jamrdesign]

Write your own brief: (Step 4)

The New Utopians 

Consider one of the problems/issues you have previously identified. Now, think optimistically, what could the future of this issue be in 5 years/10 years? Try to imagine a better future and speculate on how things could improve. Speculative design is a design method addressing big societal problems and looking towards the future—and creating products and services for those scenarios. We want you to aim to imagine all the possible futures that could be and specifically in this case, we want you to be positive. Here is a taxonomy of speculative futures to help: possible, plausible, probable, and preferable. Step 1 – Concerning your chosen issue, imagine a better version of the future based on each of the following speculative prompts; possible, plausible, probable, and preferable. For each one of these ‘P’ words, write down one sentence describing this better future. Toxic Masculinity Possible: Suicide in men lessens as outdated expectations are lowered. Plausible: Men no longer experience the pressures that accompany toxic masculinity. Probable: Men will open up to each other more. Preferable: Men feel more secure in expressing themselves freely and validating their own emotions. 

Step 2 – What things would need to happen to bring about this change? Attempt to write a design project brief (one sentence or a paragraph) which would work towards making your speculative future a reality.

  How might we reduce the effect of toxic masculinity in society and encourage men to feel valid and comfortable in expressing their emotions healthily. Create a guide for men to self-care, with relatable celebrities, in a non-jarring way. Some men shrug the idea of toxic masculinity and self-care, so appropriate tone of voice is key.

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Apes communicating through lexigram, music, and spoken language. Beautiful, but almost sad. Captive, humanised, safe?