CHALLENGE
Modern day society is full of imbalances. Left and right wing politics are opposed to each other, everyone is forced to take position in favour or against. This is especially apparent in the context of protests. Activists boldly express their stance while bystanders are silently left clueless. Polarisation grows in these instances of misunderstanding.
But people have so much in common. Even when their opinions on a specific topic are polar opposites, they still share some viewpoints, principles and values. To combat polarisation and imbalance, I want to design an intervention that helps activists to find common ground with opposed bystanders at a protest.
I want activists to find common ground
with opposed bystanders at protests
Design Goal
APPROACH
For this project I conducted explorative research with participatory activities. I attended several protests as neutral journalist to take notes and pictures of activists and their interactions. While I did not present myself as interviewing student, I asked a lot of questions to a few protersters. At my desk, I read 8 journalistic articles, primarily from the online blog of VPRO, and watched the documentary “Storming the Capitol: The Inside Story” as well as “The Future of Protest” by VPRO Tegenlicht.
Excellent research activities where you really made an effort to dive into the context. You are not afraid to talk to people, that’s a great and valuable skill for designers to have.
Dr. Gijs Huisman
In total I copied quotes from 20 people on the research topics. The digestion process yielded the clusters power, democracy, alternative activism, effective protest, strategies and vibe, which fueled my theories on the chain of impact and levels of personal motivation. A comparison of photographs from the attended protests also reveiled overlapping themes and similarities, namely the power of clothing, signs, flags and banners, symbolism and media creation. I also registered the presence of authoritive figures and the professional organisation of the plenary meeting and march from start to end. Of course, I payed special attention to the interactions between protesters among themselves, and with bystanders.
VISION
People are like dogs: they all come in all forms and shapes and have different behaviours and needs, yet all belong to the same species. When I walk in the park, it strikes me to see dogs from separate species appear hostile to each other at first sight, but become friendly in a friendly interaction. The effect translates to their human owners, forced to small talk with a stranger. After the encounter, both parties continue their way with a little new experience and mutual understanding.
Protesters and bystanders should meet like strange dogs on a walk
SPONTANEOUS
CURIOUS
ALMOST INTIMATE
FUN
SOLUTION
The PraatPlu (=talk umbrella) is a conversation tool for activists and bystanders at protests. The activist writes a statement on the sign and grabs the umbrella on the yellow side. With the double handle, remarkable illumination, and encouraging invitations, a bystander is drawn under the umbrella on the red side and grabs the handle.
They enter into a conversationabout the statement, following neutral guiding questions on the white inside of the umbrella. When the users have found a consensus – a common ground or point of mutual understanding – they simultaneously press the button in their handle to colour the umbrella inside orange, mixing yellow and red.
Interaction
The activist draws the bystander in by reaching out the umbrella invitingly, indicating the free space. The lights and buttons are fun to play with.
Sharing an umbrella incites enough intimacy and awkwardness for meaningful conversation, but is open enough to not force discomfort while exploring the inside texts.
Experience
Both users will learn a new perspective and voice their opinion. Ultimately, they also reached increased mutual understanding and respect, on a common ground, but on the bare minimum bystanders at least leave the umbrella thinking about the topic of activism.
Appearance
The umbrella is relatively large, with a diameter and height of 110-115cm. The bright yellow and red outsides and LED lights on the inside are striking in a full urban environment, and the elevated position of the umbrella literally stands out in the protest crowd.
Materials
Like a regular umbrella the PraatPlu has polyester panel sheets and metal stretchers and ribs. The shaft is a metal tube with electronic cables inside and a rubbery plastic handle with buttons at the end. Hanging down, the statement sign is a flexible plastic covered dry erase statement sheet.
Technology
When both buttons in the handle are pressed, LED strips along the ribs on the inside of the umbrella turn from red/yellow to orange. This simple process is controlled by an Arduino board in the umbrella tip.
Expression
The PraatPlu is recognizable as umbrella yet remarkable with the light and text features. In contrast to the serious and flimsy protest signs, this design is rather sleek and humorous. The typography and phrasing is neutral to any user.
The project documentation has a good visual style and is aesthetically pleasing. You are good in presenting your work in a convincing and concise manner, during the oral presentation.
Anniek Moll
PROJECT DETAILS
duration
September 2022 – January 2023
COURSE
Exploring Interactions
client
n/a
final grade
8,0 / 10