Writing and designing a book in 12 weeks sure isn’t easy. Thankfully, as explained in the last update, I’m working with a topic I am passionate about which makes it all worth it. Since the last post I have:
A) Refined my project question
My readjusted project question effectively incorporates the role of my design outcome and what it seeks to address.
Promoting awareness: One of my hypotheses was that social design in Aotearoa is not yet widely acknowledged or documented. This is both a problem but also a gap/opportunity.
Inspire engagement: I am aiming to highlight the value of social design and therefore encourage designers to get onboard.
My design outcome or product therefore acts as a vehicle to inform designers and the wider public, provoke thought and influence behaviour. It allows designers to contribute to this discussion as leaders in this field of design.
B) Done a project proposal and presentation
This involved mood-boarding and writing up a project description, explaining the relevance of the topic and creating a self directed calendar. Not only did this give me a clearer idea of the purpose of the publication, the content and the target audience, but it has also enabled me to establish a visual style.
Project purpose: This project aims to create an editorial publication which showcases New Zealand creatives using art and design to generate social change. The publication sets out to highlight that design is a powerful force which can initiate social good.
Target audience: My primary target audience will be upcoming design students. This project will serve as a fitting reminder for my generation that designers and artists are indeed makers of change.
C) Explored imagery, typefaces and handmade elements
I will be seeing how these handmade elements could be incorporated into my spreads.
A few things to keep in mind:
ensuring pages to not appear too text heavy
seeing whether my chosen typefaces work alongside hand-lettered type
deciding whether to vectorise the lettering (creates a smooth aesthetic) or leave it organic (more interest in the letterforms)
D) Read, read, read and read some more
To begin my weekday mornings I have been reading through a collection of books on social design and social issues in Aotearoa. Here are a few standout readings:
Precarity: Uncertain, Insecure and Unequal lives in Aotearoa New Zealand edited by Shioh Groot.
Pursuing social justice in New Zealand: 14 New Zealanders share their stories of communities helping people in ways government cannot. Maxim Institute.
Publications by Auckland Co-Design Lab (big fan of their mahi!)
Idealog: Re-imagining a better world
Wealth inequality was a key theme running through the books. Groot (2017) explained, “We live in a society skewed in favour of those with extensive wealth, where attention is diverted away from an examination of inequalities by vilifying those who bear the greatest burden of a broken system.” Another reoccurring theme was the push to take responsibility. This involves not seeing social issues as the oppressed persons individual fault or the governments job but being aware that we all have a part to play. My publication can encourage designers to understand their role and responsibility.
E) Interviewing the experts
Despite Level Three lockdown I managed to get underway with the interview process this week. Chatting with NZ-based social innovators is providing plenty of insight and inspiration. Top quotes from the interview:
(In NZ) We have a huge gap between those who are thriving and those who aren’t.
Co-Design is really important for social design projects so that the people who are affected by and issue absolutely need to be working on the problem.
Designers have an ethical responsibility to consider what might be the implications of design outcomes or solutions.
I have a deeper appreciation for the value of first-hand information. It feels as though my publication will hold fresh perspectives and insights that have not been shared in this manner before.
