Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / This mini-thesis aims at exploring the process of design thinking in the transformation of a
decayed found object into an artwork, with a narrative of sustainability and life, thus creating
awareness around the role and function of decayed objects by repurposing them to give them
new life. The scope of this study will be limited to the use of art to create awareness around repurposing
found objects. However, these repurposed found objects will not become physical utility
products. Rather, this study aims to discuss and explore ways in which art can be used to
generate an ethos of 'redesigning' into a work of art which gives it an aesthestic value. An
undertone of this study is the dilemma encountered in attempting to establish clear delineations
between art and design in both pedagogic and professional practice domains.
ABSTRACT
This mini-thesis aims at exploring the process of design thinking in the transformation of a
decayed found object into an artwork, with a narrative of sustainability and life, thus creating
awareness around the role and function of decayed objects by repurposing them to give them
new life.
Key topics discussed in this mini-thesis are the noticing of and engagement with decayed found
objects and sustainability. Other topics explored are repurposing and design for repurposing.
Debates around the concept of 'design thinking' are ever current. Design thinking was employed
in the study, which resulted in a process that examined the richness of my individual artistic
journeys.
My ontological stance is that all chosen found objects should have a life. This study is
epistemologically situated within the interpretive paradigm since the study makes meaning of my
experiences as I interact with found objects. The study drew on a qualitative design paradigm of
embodied experience, phenomenological research and employed qualitative methodologies of
reflective journaling, lived experience and a process-orientated art approach.
The research method adopted a convenience or accidental sample, which is not representative
of a population of found objects as the objects were presented by accident. All artworks created
for the purpose of the study incorporated found objects that were selected randomly. The design
analysis and findings verified the likelihood of a thematic approach by using comparisons of the
choice of collected found objects. The general contribution(s) of this mini-thesis to the knowledge toward the direction design
needs to take is three-fold: firstly, the study confirmed an awareness of using discarded banal
found objects and giving these objects new life through design thinking; secondly, it emphasises the awareness around the critical concerns of sustainability and social responsibility; and, lastly
it engages curricula development in robust dialogue that advances the sustainability agenda in a
multi-disciplinary context in the Faculty of Informatics and Design, at the Cape Peninsula
University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.
In order to initiate further dialogue, this study argues and proposes that student learning can be
enhanced through using a found object as catalyst to ignite creative expression and as a result
positively contribute to the sustainability agenda. Typically the study could also propose through
means of arguments in literature that creative practical activities structured around found objects
and design thinking will allow students to adopt a deep approach to learning.
These educational arguments will exceed the objectives of this mini-thesis. They are,
nevertheless, considered a worthwhile theme for further research or a doctoral thesis.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/2607 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | George, Peneria Venessa Ansley |
| Contributors | Pepler, Elsabe, M'Rithaa, Mugendi K |
| Publisher | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/ |
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