In nature, dandelions spread both themselves and their community structure. They manifest their essential quality of detoxifying their grounds. Like a dandelion, our proposed method is a collection of design habits that intuitively incorporates intersectional feminist values in the community. Giving us a chance to train our creativity in a mindful manner in a day-to-day scope.
What does true feminist design mean? Does it exist? Can it? Evidently, the current design culture, stemming from western patriarchy constructs, not only favours certain genders but dismisses the intersectionality of our complex identities as playing no role in the discrimination. Therefore, intersectional feminism is central in expanding our creativity beyond the constraints of this malestream. The dandelion approach intuitively sets the ground for intersectional feminist values in design and tackles the current disconnect of feminism and design, one method at a time.
«Dandelion Method» is purely produced on the basis of collaboration, moreover, with its playful nature, it eases the topic through operational design activities and welcomes reflective moments from designers, therefore, lead to the possible and tangible intersectional future of the design environment.» – Yao Liu & Shafira Nugroho
«Als Interaktionsdesignerin interessiert mich, wie Menschen als komplexe Organismen auf natürliche Weise mit jedem Element ihrer Umgebung interagieren. Und ich möchte die Möglichkeiten besserer Mensch-Maschine-Beziehungen für die Zukunft erforschen, um die Ethik der Fürsorge wirklich zu verinnerlichen.» – Yao Liu
The working process and end result of this thesis by Liu and Nugroho exude a natural confidence and persuasiveness which help to embed and propagate the very urgent subject of intersectional feminism in the field of design. Characterised by a captivating methodology and intelligent theoretical framing, their approach lends an appropriate voice to all those who have experienced multiple, simultaneous forms of oppression. This B.A. thesis carries the call for equality deep into the engine rooms of the design studios, in order to reconfigure the structures and methods applied there, and ultimately also the output that shapes our everyday lives.
Project partners:
Larissa Holaschke, Lena Seefried, Sophie Vögele, Bernadette Kolonko, Gabriella Lukacs, Anna-Brigette Schlittler, Jules Sturm, Rada Leu, Maya Ober, Nina Paim, Florian Wille, Mona Neubauer
Download Thesis:
interactiondesign.zhdk.ch/site/assets/files/4415/ba_thesis_merged.pdf
Links:
interactiondesign.zhdk.ch/en/diploma-2021/projects/dandelion-method
dandelionmethod.design
«Ich sehe mich als Designerin, die versucht, aktiv auf das aktuelle Geschehen zu achten, um nachhaltige und integrationsfördernde Gestaltungsergebnisse zu vermitteln.» – Shafira Nugroho
