I wanted to explore the role of a Design researcher, rather than entrepreneur. I am only interested in research, I was an entrepreneur for 8 years and I firmly believe that is not for me.
In working out a PhD proposal I have found a discrepancy between artistic and scientific research, they build on different conceptions and leads to different conclusions. In some of this research I feel like they could truly gain from a more multidisciplinary approach. This is also something that is often discussed between me and my colleagues at the university. I work in two different departments, one that is based on artistic grounds and the other on scientific, yet they both have creative courses and programs.
Working as a designer often requires taking on different roles, which is great and this chameleon approach can contribute to a more rich discourse in both breadth and depth. There is a risk though, that you build on harmful narratives as you lack the complete understanding of certain subjects. In ambition to make good you might end up impeding the very change you wish to do.
Workshop challenge
I wanted to capture that discrepancy between scientific and artistic research in design. How can the gap between those two modes be visualised, and how do I related to that? I often feel misplaced because of this gap, even in my work life–I teach at two departments with this very gap between them. One is on scientific grounds and the other on artistic. I personally enjoy a combination, but am definitely heavier on the theoretical research side.
This beautiful illustration above is visualising this relationship quite well. I wanted to see if this could be translated into a visualisation on what it is like being a design researcher:
Early sketches exploring the relationship between scientific and artistic research, here represented by pen and hand, I was considering creating a relationship between the two where the dominance shifted.
I don’t really think the word gaze is the most describing one for this, but it will do. Maybe approach is better?
Instead of creating a relationship that underpinned any power structure between the two approaches, I wanted to make them equals. And I guess say that they are at their best when they are united.