Mid Year Break: Re-evaluate with the feedback for Research proposal

27 June 2017

Today I received my grade and feedback for my Research Proposal and I am glad that this went really well. My tutor gave me some interesting and helpful points that I should consider and look into (now and the next semester):

• It seems you highlight that you are looking only at Western forms of grieving and memorialisation. In most Western countries however, they are also inclusive of other, non-christian forms of worship. Will you take that into account? 
• On that note, it will probably be important for this project to balance the service (utilitarian) aspect with the memorial (experience) to feel convincing beyond being just another ‘registry’ [Concept 1]. Throughout the proposal and as is highlighted above, there are some moments where it is not clear whether the intended design direction will become speculative or pragmatic in focus. Be mindful of that balance as you work in your studio time.
• A small note of contention. When Kübler-Ross noted that contemporary death (50 years ago) was becoming “…more gruesome, more lonely, mechanical and dehumanized […]”, do you think that they were referring to death itself? or other people’s perception of it? This analytical lens… which view are you designing for: the person who may die [Concept 1]? Or how that person is seen, maybe decades, after their passing [Concept 2]? should be of considerable focus for your explorations. 
• Depending on your desire for realism (or merely for inspiration – looking into it will certainly help your understanding of accessible communication technologies), you might want to look into the concept of “bit-rot” at some point (other technological issues facing GLAM institutions may also be of interest).

Also, my tutor pointed out another point of interest I might look into, which he recommended before I submitted my assignment.

At some point it may be interesting to draw/map out the narrative of mourning as per each culture.