Poetic Involution: Trade-offs and Controversies
Yuying Liu
Involution has been debated in China in recent years because of its intense controversy. People expressed overwhelming negative comments about the situation, but there were also some supportive and hopeful voices among them. People coexist and live with it, and its form of existence also changes constantly with the development of society. It is intangible but deeply engraved in everyone's thoughts and actions.
My capstone project analyzes design's direct or indirect impact on social phenomena from the perspectives of ironic art, design activism, speculative design, and universal design language. Can design be used as a language carrier so that all groups can understand the core of involution and its dialectical thinking? How to balance the practical value and the experimental value in the design?
The design assumes the role of an explorer in reflecting social phenomena, and it is experimental and pioneering. It will open a door that has been closed tightly in the dark room, and sprinkle the light behind the door on everyone.
Introduction video
Experimental & Narrative Motion Graphics Design
A story and experience about a tiny ball entering the workplace, conveying the views on involution obtained from research.
Visual experiments
The abstract but narrative exploration of the word and the meaning behind the ‘Involution.’ Based on researching relevant literature, using metaphors to convey information through graphics.
The virtual company: UNNOON
This is a factory-like company. For the employees, what the company is doing is opaque and unknown. It is responsible for the manufacture of high-tech and speculative products, and the primary market direction for these products is in workplace settings. At the same time, UNNOON represents the eternal night, implying that employees need to work overtime every day until late at night.
Performance appraisal system
This system is similar to the orange organizational model, except that it has become a substantive and only criterion for judging, with clear rewards and punishments, compared to the intangible one (companies’ appraisal system at this stage).
Modular surveillance camera system
One of the speculative products produced by UNNOON Production. It is used to encourage competition and restrain employee behavior. This product monitors employees’ behaviors from all angles. It brings a burnout feeling, but is practical and efficient, and also it can be put into good use.
Product details
Product details
Focus mode mask
It is a two-in-one product and a combination of a headphone and mask, face worn. The headphones are located on the left and right sides of the product. The mask part on the front of the product is made of translucent material, the opacity of the material can be changed.