Work in Process

Graphic design has always been in the business of prompting behavior. However, due to the ever increasing hunger for efficiency in the Western world, the cost of consumerism as currently practiced has not only been a loss of craftsmanship, but the loss of both the ability to listen deeply and to connect with others despite personal differences. As current corporate design practice places less emphasis on the iterative process than ever before, a recultivation of the value of slowness is crucial for design to continue being seen as a valued skill. This thesis examines the roots of current understandings of efficiency and modernization and calls for designers to reestablish the values of creativity and responsibility in the design process due to its role in human communication. In analyzing the design process, this thesis focuses on the need for empathy and pause in current practices, then discusses potential methods and strategies of moving forward into more iterative and empathetic design processes.

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Work in Process Thesis Book

Pause: A Designer’s Handbook for Slowing Down

As part of my research, I explored different practical steps that designers could take to reprioritize iteration and pause in their design process, which resulted in two different lists both represented in this booklet. The first list is of methods of making that visually represent the amount of time it takes to create a piece. Each of these methods ask the designer to step away from their digital tools and engage with physical objects before immediately choosing their preferred default design software. The second list is strategies for designers to apply throughout the design process to help the participant consider their work from a slightly different, and hopefully new, point of view and encourage taking time to sit with design decisions before moving onto the next.