3132 research outputs found
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Skeuomorphic Time: How Autocinema and Epilepsy Remake Temporality
Full text linkThis thesis uses feminist film theory and filmmaking practices as an entry point to investigate Geschwind's syndrome, a set of symptoms accompanying temporal lobe epilepsy that I suffer from. Geschwind's syndrome has been hypothesized to be responsible for cases of hypergraphia, a form of compulsive documentation in writing or drawing, as well as hyperreligiosity, states of euphoria, deja and jamais vu, and altered sexuality (Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Proust, and various figures of religious importance are speculated to have suffered from the condition, with their works marking the influence of some of these experiences)(LaPlante 2016).
Deja vu is an experience familiar to many, whereas jamais vu –the phenomenon of being suddenly unable to recognize familiar locations, faces, and objects – is more rare. The sudden appearance of such states introduces bumps, slips, skips, and loops into one’s sense of linear time. While these kinds of experiences are present in all human encounters to some degree, one finds them intensified in both the Geschwind Syndrome and cinema, with regard to cinema’s ability to convey ecstatic or heightened affective states, warped perceptions of time, and the desire for self-documentation in distinctive ways. Taking this connection as a starting point, this paper explores what the Geschwind Syndrome and cinema can learn from one another by interrogating the affordances of mental and audiovisual intensification for understanding how humanity comes to terms with time and mortality. On a more speculative note, it also asks whether cinema is itself a manifestation of
the Geschwind Syndrome or of the desire to transcend the looming end of our mortal perception. Skeuomorphs, my thesis film, works to relate hypergraphia to various complex affective states, including nostalgia, disembodiment, and reflectiveness. "Skeuomorphs" investigates how we document and understand time, and how the technology we use to do so interacts with our inborn senses of the sacred and the sentimental
Eco-criticism, Colonial Legacies, and the Broadleaf Plantain in Urban Spaces
Full text linkThis research examines the intricate relationship between humans and nature in urban environments, with a focus on the Broadleaf Plantain. Drawing on theories such as Postcolonial Ecocriticism (Banerjee, 2016), Cultural Ecology (Zapf, 2016), the More Than Human from Tsing (2015) and Kimmerer (2013), as well as insights into Hybridity and Co(a)gency from Michael (2002) and Haraway (1991), and the concept of "naturecultures" (Latimer & Miele, 2013), it aims to understand ecological dynamics and challenge colonial perceptions of the environment. Utilizing a research-creation methodology, it integrates theoretical frameworks with practical engagement to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This facilitates a holistic understanding and encourages embodied learning, fostering a profound connection between the researcher and the environment under study.
Employing various research methods such as fieldwork, observations, visual documentation, reflexivity, and prototyping, the research explores how ecocritical installations can decolonize perceptions of nature. Furthermore, the study delves into the historical and contemporary significance of Broadleaf Plantain, highlighting its resilience and adaptability amidst human-induced environmental changes.
The study hopes to empower communities to forge deeper connections with their urban environments, shed light on indigenous ways of knowing, and elevate the significance of plants within ecological discourse and environmental stewardship. The project concludes with the creation of a series of prototypes, functioning as artistic statements to spark socio-political dialogues, and prompt contemplation on human interventions in the environment, and the absurdity of controlling nature amid the climate crisis
Holistic Progression Network: Future of the financial system
Full text linkThis project explores the transformative potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized technologies to reimagine the financial landscape. Grounded in an understanding of fundamental human needs and the evolving nature of work, the project employs a multi-faceted methodology to envision a future where economic exchange transcends traditional paradigms. Through scenarios depicting a richly imagined future, the project illuminates opportunities for stakeholders across sectors, including education and innovation. Central to the framework is the concept of the Holistic Progression Network, a dynamic ecosystem where individuals accumulate and exchange tokens representing various forms of value. By fostering real-value exchange and redefining the purpose of work, the framework advocates for a holistic approach to economic development that prioritizes human well-being, self-actualization, and collective progress. The project concludes with actionable insights and disclosures, inviting stakeholders to participate in shaping a future characterized by resilience, innovation, and inclusivity
Accelerating Resilience in Innovation Consulting: A Practical Framework
Full text linkIn the rapidly evolving business landscape, the imperative for organizations to foster innovation while ensuring resilience has never been more critical. This Major Research Project delves into the intricate dynamics between innovation consultants and their clients, proposing a set of foundational principles aimed at cultivating resilience within this context.
Drawing from a blend of expert insights, practical experiences, and a comprehensive review of existing literature, this research outlines a two-domain
framework: one focusing on the internal resilience of innovation consulting firms themselves, and the other on the resilience fostered through their engagement with clients, particularly within the “project contact interface”.
The study introduces principles such as Tailored Alignment, Intellectual Empowerment, Narrative Engagement, and Aspirations-Aligned Success Metrics, each designed to address specific challenges and leverage opportunities for building resilience. These principles are not only intended to enhance the adaptability and robustness of client organizations but also ensure that the consulting firms themselves embody the resilience they advocate for
Empowering AI-Powered Product Companies: Enhancing Design with Knowledge Management, Open Innovation, and Foresight
Full text linkThis paper proposes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) vendors should prioritise developing knowledge services for designers to improve the product innovation design process in the rapidly changing AI landscape. Emphasising a Knowledge-Based View (KBV), it argues for knowledge and its management as a key competency in design, crucial for product innovation. It explores the interaction of Open Innovation, Knowledge Management, and Foresight in enhancing knowledge delivery for designers, focusing on the importance of speed and accuracy of ideation in product innovation. The paper highlights the role of internal and external knowledge in improving design process outcomes and provides strategy and frameworks for integrating knowledge utilising a knowledge service, aiming to enhance innovation efficiency
Analyzing poverty-reduction initiatives led by the private and nonprofit sectors in Peru
Full text linkThis Major Research Project looks at poverty-reduction approaches in initiatives led by organizations from the private and nonprofit sectors in Peru. Stemming from the investigator’s personal experiences as a designer working in similar projects, as well as the recent decline in Peru’s steady decrease in poverty rates, this investigation sought to gain a deeper and broader understanding on the social, political, and economic factors influencing poverty-reduction initiatives’ capacity to generate impact and achieve long-term sustainability. The research methodology adopted a three-pronged approach: first, a thorough review of literature explored three key areas of poverty and poverty reduction, social innovation, and community-driven practices, all centered around the topic of poverty-reduction initiatives in the private and nonprofit sectors in Peru. Second, a comprehensive mapping and classification exercise examined existing initiatives in order to gauge the current state of poverty-reduction approaches. Third, a more granular exploration of the topic involved in-depth case studies of six poverty-reduction initiatives, three of which involved the investigator’s personal experience. Results of the analysis are presented in the form of three considerations for improving an initiative’s impact and effectiveness, and four guidelines to improve an initiative’s long-term sustainability. Overall findings of the investigation lend support to the idea that the topic remains an underdeveloped field of practice and research, and that it is crucial for an initiative’s success in impact generation and long-term viability to: incorporate a more local and tailored approach, address the specific socio political factors relevant to the beneficiary and the initiative’s designed solution, involve the beneficiaries throughout the design and implementation process, and to define clear objectives for reducing poverty that are coherent with the initiative’s definition of what poverty means
Exploring The Use Of AI Technology To Help Owners Remotely Accompany And Care For Their Cats
Full text linkThere are many domesticated cats in Canada. Caregivers need to provide domesticated cats with a safe space and daily games that simulate hunting because of cats’ hunting nature, and they should also be mindful of the amount of exercise and food they eat to prevent obesity. However, many carers are too busy with their lives, resulting in them not being able to provide an ideal life for their cats. This thesis project will use the Research through Design (RtD) approach to explore how to employ COCO object detection model, Arduino, and Internet of Things (IoT) to design for the domestic cat's needs when people aren't at home. The research project iterated on four prototypes: 1) a safe space for cats - the Cat Castle. 2) a smart cat teaser to mimic the hunting game, which uses COCO object detection and Arduino. 3) An auto feeder to encourage cats to exercise more. 4) Integration of the above three prototypes to form an early-stage smart and cat-friendly environment. Finally, the prototype is designed to meet some of the cat's needs and it can also accompany the cat when the carer is not at home. This study can provide some exploratory experience in the animal-computer interaction (ACI) field of research on related topics
Homesickness: From Truth to Aesthetics
Full text linkThis thesis delves into the exploration of transcendental homesickness, the emotional distress experienced when separated from home, extends beyond mere physical absence; it encompasses the profound loneliness that compels us to seek meaning in our existence, understand the origins of everything, and contemplate our destination. Through tea - the cultural lifeblood coursing through the veins of Chinese, this exploration examines how we can elevate our meaning of existence to an aesthetic experience that fosters connections with the external world, the cosmos, and brings a sense of home.
Employing a comparative methodology, the study brings together ancient Chinese thought, Daoism, with early Western thought to modern cosmology and ontology, examining their similarities and differences in addressing the relationship between humans and the external world. As the outcome of the MFA research-creation, the exploration takes a tangible form through the creation of hundreds of drinking vessels and the arrangement of red tea generously contributed by our community with blessings and love, translating our profound connection with the objects surrounding us into a visual language, resonating with our transcendental loneliness as individuals, communities, and human beings
'Crafting' Curricula and Pedagogies Examining Efforts to De-center Sheridan College's Furniture Studio Through Indigenous Community Engagement
Full text linkThis Major Research Project (MRP) investigates the efforts to de-center the curricula and pedagogies of Sheridan College’s Furniture Studio by meaningfully engaging with Indigenous communities. The research focuses on two community engagement projects where third-year Furniture students engaged with members of Thunder Bay’s Indigenous community to co-create furniture for the Indigenous Knowledge Centres of two branches of the Thunder Bay Public Library. Using qualitative ethnographic research methods, including questionnaires, a semi-structured interview, and focus groups, this study examines how these projects impacted both Indigenous participants and student participants involved in the two projects. The outcome of the study finds significant benefits which include an increased awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture and knowledge among students, and a strong sense of ownership and pride among Indigenous participants. Challenges identified include the need for preparatory intercultural competency training for students, greater management of power imbalances, extended project timelines to facilitate deeper relationship building, and the need for further benefits to the Indigenous community. This research aims to contribute to the discourse on decolonizing craft and design education and promote an inclusive design framework by showcasing practical applications of these principles. It underscores the transformative potential of integrating Indigenous knowledge into educational practices and offers recommendations for future projects to further these efforts towards equity and inclusion
