The diary project

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master_Menassa_Hala_2020.pdf (21.56 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2020

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Mcode

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Language

en

Pages

64

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Abstract

Negative body perception is both a personal and social stigma that is felt by many women, regardless of their cultural background. Design can be a tool to help women reflect on their journey with their bodies and start a conversation about this problem. This thesis is attempting to work on a small aspect of negative body perception by working on the self and integrating women in the process of the project. This thesis began as a self-reflective approach to body image. It evolved into a participatory project where women utilized self-communication based on a design probe. The aim of the project is to design a communication tool that enables women to have a positive relationship with their bodies. Background research provides knowledge on the topic of body perception and how design is contributing to positive body image. Empirical research begins in the exploration of the topic of body image through a survey and an exhibition project and continues with interviews of ten women from different cultural backgrounds to discuss the pressures they felt connected to their body perception. Data collection and self-reflection leads to the design of a diary probe that is distributed for the women to fill in. The interpretation and analysis of the diaries, as well as the feedback provided, shows that these women benefited from this exploration of themselves and the project achieved fruitful results. This diary is a starting point for someone to get to know themselves and focus on growing their body acceptance. It can also be of aid to young people, and those who want to renew their relationship with their bodies or begin a better one. It is a safe and relaxed way to venture down the road of self-discovery and acceptance.

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Supervisor

Mäkelä, Maarit

Thesis advisor

Aktas, Bilge

Keywords

body perception, design for communication, self-reflection, diary, design probe, positive body image

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202006143735

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS