ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Practice Research Symposium (PRS) lies at the heart of a longstanding program that examines what designers actually do when they design, and seeks to develop new and innovative approaches to creative practice.
Held in BAU · College of Arts & Design Barcelona twice a year, and attracting participants from influential academic institutions and practices across the world, the PRS provides an opportunity for shared reflection and dialogue between distinguished practitioners and researchers about design practice.
The Practice Research Symposium features Higher Degree by Research PhD examinations, candidate presentations, a keynote lecture and various social functions associated with the symposium.
In this page I showcase a summary of my contributions in the PRS along my PhD program in Design Research.
BAU College of Arts and Design Barcelona - 2022
MY INITIAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL
“Technology is the answer, but what was the question?” - In 1966, the architect Cedric Price
Impossible ideas met innovation and great technical advances over the past decades. Technology keeps developing at a quick pace, promising to help us live more efficient, more satisfying, and more sustainable lives. Shaping every element of our society, our lives, our workplaces, and our safe haven: home.
Smart home technology is rapidly entering the home, yet most designed user experiences fail to recognize the diversity of people's needs. As more technology comes into our homes, more and more people are relying on technology that does not always prioritize everybody’s needs. More people should be given the chance to question and influence the technology around them.
To get a clear understanding of shared needs, we must face the fact that humanity is diverse. We are old, young, may live with disability and difficulties, and speak multiple languages; we are diverse individuals and communities. We live with other people who have competing needs/responsibilities/characteristics so there is an intersection of needs and interests per household. However, often home technology is designed as if we are all the same.
The needs of groups and communities that experience discrimination and exclusion including people with diverse abilities are largely overlooked and often not taken into consideration for exploration and creation of new home tech. Developing an inclusive and socially impactful offer that embraces diversity and mirrors the needs of society maximizes widespread access and usability, meaning we can reach more people. Although home technologies aim to solve problems and help people and society improve the quality of life, they pose numerous risks, including exclusion.
We are living with technology designed for interaction methods that are optimized for the technology and not for the people. How can design address this problem?
PhD Design research proposal. Pre app - 2022
WORK IN PROGRESS (WIP) # 1
BAU · College of Arts & Design Barcelona, Nov 2023
Humanity thrives in its diversity. We span various ages, speak numerous languages, hail from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and may navigate life with permanent, temporary, or situational challenges. Our diversity enriches our communities. As we live, work, and experience the world, we interact with others whose needs, responsibilities, and characteristics may differ from our own, creating an intersection of varying needs and interests.
While businesses traditionally measure success through profitability and growth, the broader aspects of inclusion and equity often remain sidelined. What if we recalibrated our definition of success to prioritize diversity and cater to those often left on the margins? Envision business strategies that emphasize inclusivity at every stage of product development.
To achieve this, businesses need transformative approaches that facilitate understanding and integration of diverse, inclusive, and equitable design processes. This research wants to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating how businesses can effectively comprehend and assess the effects of embracing inclusive design. By centering innovation around those often overlooked, we not only nurture empathy but also pave the way for a more equal society
PhD Design research WIP #1 - Nov, 2023
WORK IN PROGRESS (WIP) # 2
BAU · College of Arts & Design Barcelona, April 2024
A home is more than a shelter; it serves as a dynamic archive of our lives, encapsulating memories, emotions, and experiences. Through the objects we choose to bring into our homes, we create stories that anchor us to our past, mirror our present, and potentially direct our future. The evolution of home technology design has been shaped by the values of leading tech companies and their visions for the future. These companies have introduced a variety of technologies branded as ‘smart home,’ designed for a streamlined—and idealized—vision of what the home is. This approach inadvertently perpetuates societal exclusions by limiting diverse peoples’ ability to access, utilize, and influence the technological landscape that shapes our existence within our homes. Incorporating diverse perspectives and values may not only open new opportunities for home technology design but may also cast doubt on the very motivations for integrating technology into the home.
PhD Design research WIP #2 - April, 2024
to be continued...
