What is your purpose/goal?
Having been accepted onto the design products course at the rca, I am preparing myself for the obvious questions like what are you doing here? what do you want to achieve? I decided to look back at my personal statement I wrote in January for the application. I had to squeeze in everything under 500 words. During my BA at the LCC in moving image and interaction design I found most of my inspiration for the direction of my work came from reading, and observing people. Knowing that I have to write a dissertation next year I am already looking at possible topics that would suit the direction of my practical work.
Theory and observation have always played a big part in my approach when designing, finding inspiration from psychology, science and more recently technology and mechanisms. I would like the opportunity to study Design Products as I have not studied such a functional type of design before. Challenging conventions by applying research to the relationships between people and objects, people and their environments, and people and ideologies, interests me. Applying observational research to these conventions, whilst also taking into account contextual references relating to the sustainable and social impact fascinates me. My desire to do this stems from my belief that designers can directly help and improve people’s well-being.
Both experimentation and finalising a project are important processes in enabling innovation. Biosensors inspired me to illustrate how the human body is affected by its environment. Gaining experience working with a local engineer, improved my understanding of mechanisms and how to apply these ideas to design and I recognised the importance of prototyping when working with artist Dan Roosegaarde in his studio in Holland and being mentored by designer Timon Botez opened my eyes to the beauty of detail, and precision. The RCA will enable me to apply this multidisciplinary knowledge to a specific area of design with the guidance of professional tutors.
I often ask myself what the function of an object is, and what happens when we remove or alter these products in a domestic or social environment. Additionally, I’m fascinated by the emotional relationships we build with objects and products. It would be challenging to design more engaging and sustainable products with which the user will not tire, easing the environmental impact of consumer products. By getting into the mind of the user and exploring their relationship with the object, we can create more thoughtful designs.
My dissertation – ‘Applying Marshall McLuhan’s Predictions for the Future’ allowed me to find evidence supporting the argument that our physical surroundings alter how we think and also the spectrum of those thoughts. For example, the effect of a television in a domestic space. Objects and rooms should communicate with us how to use them without forcing us into particular, unnatural patterns of interaction.
For me, product design requires the most logical and inspired application of research and what particularly excites me is its focused ability to see a problem and then be able to improve it. This is not to say product design is without narrative, but some of the best pieces of design come from the most obvious ideas.
I am well aware of how good design requires an environment of collaboration and discussion with a wide range of resources and opportunities for material and theoretical exploration. Having collaborated with a fashion designer, sound designer and ceramicist, I believe lines of communication and understanding help give design credibility. The Design Products course could offer me these attributes and the best opportunity to further carry out my research and application of design principles.
