A real image of an unreal country. Capturing complexity with a help of participatory design
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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P1 OPINNÄYTTEET D 2016 Nenadic
Authors
Date
2016
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Mcode
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Language
en
Pages
120
Series
Abstract
The topic of this study developed from the idea that the visual identity of a country is undoubtedly a complex issue, difficult to grasp and comprehend. The assumption is that more than marketing and graphic design work is necessary to shape the image of a country. More precisely, that the culture and inhabitants of a country are some of the important factors which shape this image. This study investigates the possibility of using participatory design to contribute to a country’s visual identity. In other words, it is considering the idea of presenting a more authentic image of a country by employing people, inhabitants and visitors of that country and by encouraging their participation in the process of visualizing the country. The additional goal is to recognize the strategies that can be used to enable and inspire participation. The chosen method to find the answers is discovering the overlaps in the factors that constitute a country’s visual identity and possibilities that participatory design offers. This is completed by: analyzing visual material which countries are using when communicating, studying participatory design discourse and analyzing participatory projects. This research is also supported by acquiring practical knowledge from the workshops and an online project, which are the parts of this thesis. Analyses of the results is showing that, in some respects, it is possible to contribute to a country’s visual identity with the help of participatory design. Firstly, participation of people who experienced the country can contribute to a more genuine image. Secondly, with the help of the participatory design approach, identities can become a form of conversation- and a country’s visual identity could benefit from this idea. Thirdly, participatory projects create communities- connect people and generate mutual encouragement which can add value. On top of that, employment of participatory design brings the idea of using visual identity as a means of communication rather than a simple signifier. The findings of this study suggest that there is a space for participatory design when visualizing complex issues such as the visual identity of a country. On the other hand, participatory design challenges the purpose of visual identity in contemporary design.Description
Supervisor
Itkonen, MarjattaThesis advisor
Dodson, ZacharyKeywords
identity, participatory, country, complexity, visual