Category: Task 1A: Exploratory Resreach What, Why, Who, and How

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Task 1A: Exploratory Research

RESEARCH

 

In the current society, I felt that there are many issues that are not being explored or known by the public. Many issues that are “invisible” or things that we don’t see them as important are actually quite serious and could further lead to other issues. However, many just either choose to take it lightly or ignored these issues. The following are some of the current issues that I’m interested in and am concern of!

1) Four current issues

 

Many times, people are aware and concern about the illnesses itself. However, we often neglect the fact that a lot of the time family caregivers are under tremendous stress as well while taking care of patients with cognitive illnesses such as dementia. It’s not easy and it is draining because you are dealing with someone close to you and it involves a lot of emotions and mixed feelings while taking care of their unpleasant reactions sometimes. Hence I hope that the caregiver could be supported and cared for, having the society to pay more attention to their well being as well.

 

Many were aware of domestic violence and it is an issue that is protected under Singapore law. However, society neglected that unmarried woman faces the same issues and it is as equally dangerous and important to address this issue and to gain more awareness.

 

Global warming continued to rise and it is not improving. Animals are losing their habitat and sooner or later it would be us the humans that will suffer too. However, many other countries are not acting upon the situation. Hence, as visual communication designer, we should play our part too to help to improve the situation.

 

In Singapore 1 out of 150 children have autism, people with autism face difficulties in socializing and expressing themselves. It is important to raise more awareness and help them to better express themselves and adapting to their environments so that they could also integrate into society and able to be independent.

Out of these issues, the first two regarding dementia caretaker and the abusive relationship of unmarried woman interest me the most. However, I have decided to choose the latter as I felt that it is an issue that is less known, easily neglected and capable to cause serious after effect. I felt that there is a need to raise awareness and rendered help to this group of people.

 

2) Why is it important, who does it affect and how?

Many women of various age suffered from abusive relationship (mentally, physically, verbally) without knowing due to the lack of knowledge or having the mentality that “ their love will be able to change the abuser for the better”. Hence, many continued to stay in such an unhealthy relationship without even knowing that it is an abusive relationship. Since each time, when the abuser did something wrong they would apologize after, and the cycle repeats. Therefore, victims continuing allowing the abuser to mistreat them and worse, getting married to their abuser leading to issues such as domestic violence, depression etc.

Furthermore, Singapore’s laws do not provide unmarried woman the same protection that married woman have. Unmarried women cannot apply for protection orders and reporting to police mostly ended up to no avail as it is either deemed as non-arrestable or being advised to file a magistrate’s complaint instead which the process is long and tedious that many victims give up on such options. Hence, it is important to raise higher awareness among society as well as educating fellow women on how to identify early red flags in order to be able to protect themselves.

There are many things such as early identifiable signs of red flags for the abuser’s behavior, monitoring the relationship and understanding our own attachment style could help in protecting ourselves better. It is always important to have early interventions and have the right relationship education to prevent ourselves to become the victim.

 

3) Who do you need to communicate to and why?

Target audience

  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 16-30
  • Race: All races
  • Social group: Victims in an abusive relationship/ ladies in a relationship or plan to go into one
  • Location: Singapore

 

Need & effect
A lot of the times victims turn a blind eye towards the situation or on what others tell/warn/advise them. Many of the times in such a situation, for the people around the victims tend to feel that they are unable to be involved too much because they might felt that this is not their problem or this is the victims’ decision and it is not appropriate for them to interfere. Also, most of the time despite knowing the relationship is unhealthy victims still choose not to leave.

Therefore, there is a need for the victim to have self-realization, internalize logically and have the courage to seek help or step out of the relationship.

I hope that my target audience can have an easily everyday accessible item with the necessary information and are able to equipped with the knowledge to identify any red flags or realize an unhealthy relationship as early as possible. So that, they can have the courage to step away from the unhealthy relationship, to not lose confidence, to not be hurt or be traumatized.

 

4) How visual communication contributed to addressing the cause?

  • Name of designer/Organisation: NCSS fuelfor
    Choice of Media: Tool kit
    Year: 2018
    Link: https://www.ncss.gov.sg/caregiving
    Analysis: Imaging is simple and easily understandable. The color used is bright yellow, cheerful color to lightened up the mood of the caregiver while using the toolkit. Font usage is appropriate.  The format is good as there are different parts about information, guides on how to use the book, places for self-discovery. It is coherence in general however, it could be further improved by cutting down wordy paragraphs and make instruction straight to the point and easier for a quick read. Have more variety of colors and visuals to keep interest and lighten up mood. Engaging wise could have been more interactive such as using props like stickers etc.

Other similar research examples:

Mindnosis – tool kit for mental health well being

Mindnosis kit is designed to help people overcome their mental health issues

 

Subscription cookery kit to help elderly women socialise

Subscription cookery kit is designed to help elderly women socialise

 

  • Name of designer/Organisation: Jessica Duncan, Victor Petit
    Choice of Media: Interactive Poster
    Year: 2012, nil
    Link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/4254985/Extinct
    and
    https://cargocollective.com/victorpetit/QR-CODE-Talking-Resume

    Extinct – Jessica Ducan
    QR CODE Talking Resume – Victor Petit

    Analysis: The level of appropriateness was high as the imaging together with the interactivity of the viewers conveys the intended message and intention very clearly. The imaging, color conveys the mood. It is rather engaging and innovative to combine interactivity actions done by the viewers to come across the intended message. By being engaging it is impactful and effective in leaving deep impressions.

 

Other similar research examples:

 

 

  • Name of designer/Organisation: New Deal Design
    Choice of Media: Product
    Year: 2018
    Link: https://www.dezeen.com/2018/07/12/new-deal-designs-buzz-wearable-techonology/Analysis: The product used rather gender neutral colors which is a good point. However, I felt there can be more variety. I like how it is a simple wristband with multiple functions to protect the target audience. Serving as a monitoring system, informing system as well as an alert system to help target audience in time of need.