Design as a Form of Self-Exploration
A personal reflection on design as a process of research, experimentation, and self-discovery. Exploring how creative practice can become a way of understanding one's identity and relationship with the world.
Adapted from my 2024 Master's thesis in Design (Visual Communication) at the University of Bergen, Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design.
I regard this Master’s project as a profoundly personal exploration. The first layer can be seen as a quest to define my concerns and position in the design field, which on a subconscious level became a self-reflection on my own identity and authentic self. The process started as a scatter investigation in theoretical research within the field of existential philosophy, which later led to existential psychology. Alongside this theoretical research, there were small design experimentations, which furthered the understanding of different ways to translate this theoretical research into a design language, while illuminating manners with which to expedite future research.
The design method becomes a cyclic process of research, experimentation, and self-reflection. With every completed loop of this process, the research resulted in the narrowing down of relevant research theory, while simultaneously expanding on the number of possible mediums and modes of design. During the entire process, the research encompassed theories in philosophy, literature, cinema, animation, design projects, art, design mode, and technical executing software.
Each experiment was in turn followed by both research and reflection on the previous projects, which then provided another starting point for the next process loop.
This experimentation, or, put differently, the act of designing, did not solely exist as a part of the process for the project. Since the projects core consisted of a personal concern, design became a tool for self-exploration and perhaps at some point a sort of existentialist therapy to understand myself better, even outside of the realm of design.
In conclusion, the design research methods have no clear start- or endpoint. In theory, the process of researching, designing, and reflecting on these can be a lifelong loop. However, due to the limited timeframe of the Master’s program, it was necessary to establish certain restraints to fit the requirements that were given. Furthermore, it is of equal importance to allow for pauses to be able to gain an overview of what one has been doing, summarize what has been achieved, and thereby hopefully gain the ability to resume an integrated, steadfast position based on the research and experiments conducted.
During the past two years, this project was extremely challenging for me, both as a designer and, more importantly, as a person. The main reason for returning to the academic system and starting this Master’s program after working in the design industry for four years was that I needed a break. A break from designing for concerns of and under other peoples’ conditions and demands, and sometimes according to values that were not aligned with mine.
The most fulfilling and precious outcome of this study period was that I explored my own concerns and interests. This exploration revealed my standing in the field of design, and more substantially, unraveled my existentialist, personal concerns. I hope this self-exploration can be relatable to others and the audience can gain an understanding, or at least a little notion of what I have experienced.
As the creator of this project, I hope I can continue the process of creating and self-reflection throughout my life, far into the future. Not only would this help me to understand my standing in the design field and life, but I also enjoy it deeply.
