the dynamic dot

Abstract

Over the past decades, visual design has evolved from solely being a mean of form and function, to acting as a mean of communication and problem-solving. This shift in paradigm is reflecting on the purpose of the practice; from designing things to designing interpretations.

Instead of exploring change as a problem, this research explores change as a statement. However, the constantly reshaping professional role; in terms of identity, position, purpose and practice, is identified as an issue. The problem statement is studied by looking at the various forms of the T-shape model as a visual metaphor of the changing role. The research explores the existing models and suggests that the role should be dynamic to the changing environment of today – similar to the way the products of design are dynamic to a digital environment.

The result forms a bricolage of knowledge which is incorporated into an improved model. Throughout the thesis, the T reshapes into a human-shaped person, a model introduced as a reaction to the stated problem. The outcome of the research is twofold; (1) a proposed visual and theoretical improvement of the existing models, and (2) an entry to the critical debate of the field.