Project Update: Critical Context Stage 3

What findings have you made about the proposition you started from?

Some findings I have made about my proposition is the common traits that third culture kids share are more positive rather than negative. Despite being one myself, my initial perspective on TCKs was that the community shared a mostly melancholic experience where feeling ‘lost’ and not fitting in was the main emotion but upon researching I was able to shift my point of view into something much more positive. For instance, by researching well known TCKs I was able to see what these people believe in and what they are doing with that passion. As stated previously, some well known TCKs such as the late Audrey Hepburn and Kobe Bryant were so passionate about humanitarian work and mental health. With the sincerity and passion, they both set such a great example for people of all ages, making them role models to many. With this information, it made me reflect on how I could connect my two topics. With sustainability as my second topic to research I focused the objective of my project towards being a TCK, I am passionate for what I am interested in which in this case, is the environment. Therefore, taking that passion and converting it into something educational or inspirational that can be used for myself and for others. I found myself frequently researching sustainable companies in Malaysia and found out a lot about local sustainable industries and what these companies stand for despite whether or not they were a part of the design industry. It was important to research outside of the industry I am a part of as I am able to learn from their practices. I think that sustainability is not a topic that is discussed often in Malaysia which is one of the main reasons why these companies and brands are still fairly small in size and are unknown to the majority of the public. Evidently, it is seen that my proposition has shifted from being an equal balance of two topics to sustainability heavy research.

How has your understanding of the idea changed? Are there any amendments/ corrections that you decide to make on your initial proposition? How your research/practice has developed through critical reflection?

I found myself frequently researching sustainable companies in Malaysia and found out a lot about local sustainable industries and at the beginning of this journey, I was struggling to find a connection between my two topics: third culture kids and sustainability - but, through research I have found out that third culture kids share a common trait of standing up for what they believe in and often share that passion with others where I noticed that I too, share that trait. Over time I have recognised that many of my projects revolve around the environment and with the objective of educating others. My research progressively developed into a passion project where this shared trait in TCKs led to focusing my research towards educating myself on becoming a sustainable graphic designer where I found out about different habits to start practicing. Some of which are always thinking ahead and to “look to analogous efforts in other industries” (Hamlett, 2018). At the beginning of my research I had thought that sustainability was not practiced as much in companies and brands across Malaysia but due to the heavy infiltration of the western world, I was unaware of what was going on in my own country. Which then became a main role in my research as I wanted to educate myself and others on the resources we have in Malaysia. In fact, there are numerous companies and brands in Malaysia that are leading towards sustainable practices whether or not they are related to the design industry. Therefore, I took the initiative to research as much as I could on the sustainable industry in Malaysia whether or not it is design related. I emphasised my research on educating myself on how I can practice sustainability all while being a designer and how I can bring that lifestyle into my current and future work. Due to the current pandemic, I was unable to try out some of these habits to its full potential however that did not come in my way of learning new things. Through critical reflections I found out that it is okay to divert from our initial starting point and that ideas and opinions are open to constant change.

How this now positions you as a designer, illustrator, writer or other professional?

At the end of this project I believe that with all the new information I have learnt, positions me as a ‘green’ designer. A designer who knows what is going on around environmentally and willing to adapt and improve. It is evident that I am not the first ‘green’ designer but I think that is important to be current with issues or concerns that may potentially impact the way we work so that we can be proactive and adjust, diversify and be innovative when we do our work. Moreover, I can bring this new knowledge when working with future clients where I can guide their needs into choosing something that is more sustainable and better for the environment. As the problem solver, it is our duty to inform our clients of the situations going around in our industry and how we can combat that whilst providing the best possible outcome.

Resources

Crowfoot, A. C. (2018, September 13). Designers, stop designing for yesterday’s planet. Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/futurice-design-sustainability-graphic-design-130918

David, L.D., Bender, L.B., Burns, S.Z.B. (Producer), & Guggenheim, D.G. (Director). (2006). An Inconvenient Truth [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Classics.

Ellison, K. E. (n.d.). A beginner’s guide to sustainable graphic design. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://99designs.com/blog/tips/a-beginners-guide-to-sustainable-graphic-design/

Fanning, E. (2019, September 24). What can designers do for climate action in the workplace? Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.littlefoxdesign.com/learn/designers-climate-action-workplace

Fine, P. C. F. (2016). Sustainable Graphic Design: Principles and Practices (Illustrated ed.). London, England: Bloomsbury Academic.

GaleWyrick, S. (2018). Biomimicry for Sustainable Innovation: The Answers Are All Around Us. Design Management Review, 29(1), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/drev.12106

Hamill, A. (2020, January 28). Sustainability: no longer a trend but a business imperative. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/opinion/sustainability-no-longer-a-trend-but-abusiness-imperative/3388

Hamlett, P. H. (2018, May 1). Sustainability and Graphic Design. Retrieved May 2, 2020, from https://www.commarts.com/columns/sustainability-and-graphic-design

Silver, R. (2014, August 29). Tips for Greening Up Your Graphic Design Practice. Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://inhabitat.com/greening-graphic-design-a-step-by-step-guide/

Systems Innovation. (2019, August 20). Sustainability - Full Documentary [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjrPiIem30g