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Subject: search.filters.subject.330306 Design practice and methods

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    What is it, if it is not this? : exploring artist's books through an auto-ethnographic design practice : presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Cumming, Thomas
    What Is It, If It Is Not This? explores the ‘artists’ book’ landscape, and my position within it. As a practice, the development of ‘artists’ books’ encompasses a wide range of material qualities and conventions, resulting in many and varied book and ‘book-like’ formats; however, there is a significant dissonance regarding the terminology used to describe such work, and, as a book designer with an interest in experimental publications, I’ve found myself producing work that could be considered a part of this practice. The encyclopaedic curatorial practice of the cabinet of curiosities provides a unique conceptual framework regarding taxonomies, objects of wonder, and personal sense-making to examine the potential boundaries of the ‘artists’ book’. This research was conducted through an auto ethnographic design practice, acknowledging the centrality of the values, perspectives and experiences of myself as the designer. In utilising iterative practice-led research and research-led practice, and an alignment with Oulipian playfulness, the process of creation throughout this work has been responsive and intuitive. To identify the margins of what could be considered an ‘artists’ book’, a collection of bookworks have been designed that explore, subvert, or embrace the different facets of ‘artists’ books. In doing this, I’ve gained insights into existing theory and begun to add to the discourse surrounding ‘artists’ books’, and a designer’s place within them. This work enabled moments of self-reflection, and the initial development of such language has resulted in a more confident sense of identity in regard to my place in this area of practice.
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    Symbiosis : a holistic and ADHD-informed fashion design process : design process as outcome : symbiosis - a co-design process : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Chambers, Sophya Tse-Lin
    ADHD is a neurobiological difference that affects cognitive and nervous-system processing, resulting in a range of strengths and challenges. While it is often seen as a childhood behavioural issue, ADHD persists into adulthood. However, wearable designs for ADHD are currently focused on sensory processing needs for children, neglecting the experiences of adults with ADHD and their complex needs. My exegesis aims to shift perspectives towards a human-centred fashion design approach that considers the holistic needs of individuals with ADHD. This design process will encourage a greater understanding of the complexities of the ADHD experience so that wearers can select, adapt, or create new clothing to support their experience of ADHD and gain a new relationship with clothes. It will also encourage designers to make informed, responsible, and inclusive decisions when designing for users with ADHD. To generate designs, mutual respect, and a greater understanding of participants' holistic and embodied experience of ADHD, I used reflective and co-design methods within an interdisciplinary Soma Design methodology. Additionally, I implemented an empathetic and pragmatic approach to conducting secondary contextual research and primary findings from surveys and questions with a panel of adults with ADHD to identify individual design requirements, whilst considering potential accessibility and usability factors for ADHD. This research enabled a thorough investigation of how to design for individuals’ ADHD experience, resulting in a symbiotic design process based on understanding, ethics and responsiveness to individual needs.
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    "It starts with a conversation" : an exploration of creative, collaborative and participatory design approaches, in the context of disability, kāinga (housing and home) and policy : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Design, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2024) O'Sullivan, Faye
    The wider problem this work responds to: Disabled people are not meaningfully included in health policy development in Aotearoa New Zealand, due to various factors. This lack of inclusion results in poor policy outcomes for those it seeks to serve. How does this Design work contribute? This project explores the design of an equitable, participatory and collaborative process, championing the voice of lived experience as a valuable source of expertise and knowledge for policy practitioners. Who is this work for? This is for anyone* seeking to undertake collaborative approaches within the disability-policy space (and beyond). *Those most interested might include Disability advocacy groups, or Design and Policy Practitioners. Methods used: Collaborative Design methods and frameworks such as co-design, co-production, participatory design. What did we learn? 'Inclusion' begins with the smallest step. Much of the literature surrounding collaborative design speaks to 'mindsets' and 'principles'. This work argues that small actions are a pathway to inclusion and the growth of such mindsets.
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    Cutting cubes from clouds : using gigamapping to coordinate narratives in complexity : this exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master in Design at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Alder, Benjamin
    In complex transition design projects, effective communication of the intended change is crucial. Design practitioners are well-positioned to lead in this area but must incorporate interdisciplinary thinking and methods to enhance their effectiveness. This exegesis explores how the systems-oriented design method of Gigamapping can be used to strengthen a design practitioner’s ability to understand and communicate effective narratives within complex transition design projects. Taking a practice-based approach, the researcher applied Gigamapping to a live transition design case study (which they are embedded in), first mapping solo, and then with relevant stakeholders. The research found Gigamapping to be an effective approach for coordinating narratives in complexity and resulted in the development of a novel practice-based tool, The Narrative Canvas. The researcher recommends that other practitioners use the canvas in their context to corroborate its value and refine the approach.