Unpacking the privilege knapsack

This project was a part of Marginalia, a studio course that investigated actual and figurative margins. We continually asked ourselves, to what extent does design facilitate, hinder, assuage, precipitate, and/or perpetuate marginality?

Part 1: topic exploration

We explored four main topics: margin metaphor, marginalia, marginalization, and technological edges.  

Part 2: design query

From this initial research, I narrowed the scope to a form a new design query focused on exposing privileges.

Part 3: ministabs

I stretched and molded this space further through a series of mini stabs / brainstorms. I explored how to “confront” individuals with their privileges, rewriting narratives, and gamifying privilege and identity.

Part 4: oprah

For this exploration, we were constrained to preview our findings in video format. I put together a series of open-ended questions and interviewed those around me. Since I knew these individuals, I assumed I would know their answers. I found myself surprised by some answers and also how much the answers varied.

Part 5: Extension

Just when I thought I couldn’t push this project any further, I pushed it farther. I focused on decontextualizing the content and then recontextualizing in an attempt to reveal new perspectives or new realities. I created a typographic piece, I See You and I Hear You. You can view the full piece here.