4. living with your own ideas

experience

The seminar is divided into three main conceptual axles. Each explores a different approach to 1pp (first person perspective) and rapid prototyping focusing on a critical view of contemporary problems or situations.

prosthesis 1 . to become the best version of yourself

forced interaction / full focus

The first conceptual axis explores the idea of how we as a species have developed the ability to modify ourselves in different levels, be it psychological or physical, focusing on the way we add or remove things to or from ourselves in order to satisfy our personal idea of health, beauty, etc. and the role that plays the notion of being an “all natural” being. This takes particular relevance when talking about cosmetic surgery for example, and is very interesting to analyze if this criteria is actually something to take into consideration when it comes to making a life decision.

From a personal point of view, it's just a label. When it comes to physical alterations, whatever the motive might be, a much more relevant criteria is the physiological state of the individual and whether this alteration would help or not achieve the desired outcome.

The activity develops particularly around the things that we add to ourselves, be that by necessity or by choice. It is developed by defining an attribute the user thinks can enhance its personal perception. Since, for this set of activities, the user is the designer it allows an introspective approach and allows for a very personal view of a necessity and how to satisfy it taking into account the probability of actually using it. This does not limit the exercise, on the contrary it allows for full exploration of the possibilities as the user and the designer have the same level of commitment to the outcome.

For this particular axis of the seminar, the designer chose to enhance at some level a psychological aspect of himself. From his personality.

The prosthesis is designed to force the user to interact with people by forcefully engaging in a very invasive way to anyone in his surroundings. By attracting so much attention and almost invading the other individual’s personal space the user has to engage in conversation. Once this is achieved, the second function of the prosthesis is noticeable as it forces the user to focus on the interlocutor.

This prosthesis basically explores the notion of unwillingly getting out of one's social comfort zone and actually engaging in a meaningful interaction.

prosthesis 2 . to become something else

rat wannabe

The second conceptual axis of the seminar is explored under the idea of becoming something else rather than a human being, be it an object or any other living species.

This exercise was framed by the work of british designer Thomas Thwaites and particularly his GoatMan project. The main criteria for the designer is to identify a reason in his current life situation that makes it justifiable to become something else and through that notion to develop a prosthesis that aids that incarnation.

In this case the designer opted for a parallel approach to the seminar by taking the main subject of interest explored in the Design Studio seminar, particularly on the personal Design Space being developed in this class. This subject is a particular setting, and this setting is the public space. The streets.

In an effort to gain further understanding of the dynamics carried out in this area of interest, the designer decided to become probably the creature that best knows the streets and could actually give a different perspective of the environment. A rat.

This particular prosthesis became a mutation of the previous by using the already limited vision provided and adding a “sound magnifier” that also acts as a touch sensor for immediate contact since peripheral eyesight has been eliminated.

This prosthesis was thought as a navigation aid and while maintaining full focus on particular aspects. Also works as a people repellent which goes with the rat theme.

prosthesis 3 . to judge / to be judged

the opportunist

The third and final conceptual axis is developed in a way that forces the designer to have a critical and introspective analysis. From a personal standing, this was the most stimulative activity of the seminar and a very satisfying way to conclude the activity.

The framing for this last section was a series of art projects that mainly found a way to manipulate judgment inflicted on them by deliberately exposing themselves to different public monitoring systems, projecting an unconventional or exaggerated behavior towards the situation.

In this context, the prompt for the activity was free roam for an hour to project a deliberate version of oneself in the way one would like to be judged.

To achieve this outcome and have a point of reference, the class was divided into two groups. The first would act as a subject (the judged) the second would act as a detective or unanimous follower (the jury). This roll play would be exchanged and randomized for a second hour.

Lastly, the designer had to produce one las prosthesis. One that would aid in projecting this version of oneself.

The prosthesis designed for this activity consisted of an element the user would strap to his back and carry it around. A sort of backpack

The image the designer wanted to project about himself was that of someone who can take advantage of any situation. An opportunist. A person who seems lost and clumsy but knows what he wants. Lost but motivated. Someone who doesn't really care if it looks funny as long as he knows what he is doing. Someone who somehow knows where he is going and above all wants to enjoy life. Poetic right?

This approach might become evident in the following video.