3) Reflection on project outcome and personal development
My Critical Design project is a long story of trial and error and taught me important lessons on time management, research and my own work ethic. Ultimately, I am very happy with my project outcome, its topic and visual realisation.
As I have mentioned in my previous blog post I focussed on the topic of gender and fashion whereby the ‘wicked problem’ is the stigma around gender non-conformity and lastly how to eventually reach the goal of gender neutrality. For me personally that means that every person can present themselves as the gender they identify as and therefore also wear whatever they want.
I created a video trailer which followed the timeline of gender bending, androgyny and gender non-conformity throughout the decades from the 1960s till today. Here, I included music artists who memorably played around with gender roles such as David Bowie, Prince, Boy George and Janelle Monae. Further, I featured revolutionary fashion moments such as Yves Saint Laurent’s ‘Le Smoking’ and the extravaganza of drag queens’ fashion.
While researching the topic and looking at images of androgynous fashion I realised that diversity and representation were most important to make progress and help people live a freer and more fulfilled life. Throughout my own life I noticed time and time again how much a diversity of identities can change and improve my life and my outlook on the world.
Working on this project I also learned how to visually transmit a message as I have previously only produced written work. Reading up facts, collecting images, and combing those with music, video clips and text was a new experience which challenged me to use my imagination to ultimately produce a trailer which tells a story and evokes a certain atmosphere.
With this trailer I developed a new appreciation for visual and motion work. Creating something that moves and speaks can at times bring across a message more beautifully and lively than a piece of written work.
Still, I faced some challenges during the working process mainly based on the fact that we mostly conversed within the group through online classes. The current situation around the Coronavirus forced me to work from home and be confined to my room. Usually I work best when my environment is always dynamic, inspirational and lively and to my disadvantage my surroundings at home are rather monotonous, bland and discouraging. Usually living in London, I am always inspired by people and events around me which give me ideas for projects.
Lastly, I presume that this odd and restricted working experience will influence how I work in the future. I might even learn to be able to work more flexibly and find inspiration and gain ideas from any surrounding. My personal development throughout this phase was challenging, fluctuating and satisfying all at once but I still managed to work productively and eventually create a final product I am proud of.