TASK
The task was to understand and represent one's idea on how travel, exploring cultures and places different from one's own provide a platform to extend one's own identity. The background context included research areas like culture, identity, knowledge, its systems and kinds, etc.
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS
The initial research looked at the meanings of Diversity, Plurality and Knowledge and further delved into knowledge systems and ways of knowing. One important way of knowing is experiencing and one activity which usually provides a heightened sense of experience is Travel. Sensory cues are important to perceive data and convert it to knowledge. We live in a world where tacit knowledge is extremely precious and each person comes from multiple cultures. Hence, increasing one's knowledge base through experience will only provide insightful lessons which cannot be taught.
After revising survey results, I derived some more general insights into the whole concept of the travel and its co-relation with knowledge systems and plurality. It was agreed that the world is a very connected place now (through the internet and social media) but is not as tolerant towards cultural differences. While, social media might distract you from real life one cannot ignore the outreach of the platform. Empowering tourism in a way where people actually travel and not act like tourists could be a good intervention point to bridge gaps between certain cultures as understanding another perspective can lead to increased empathy and tolerance. This could also lead to reduced stereotypes and biases.
DRAWINGS
DESIGN BRIEF
This kit aims to enable a culturally rich experience by travelling in a local fashion. It hopes to instils awareness, sensitivity and tolerance by promoting the idea of exploration of foreign and unexplored cultures.
It includes a map, cam glasses (proposed idea), a guide, journal. The purpose of the map is to provide a kick start to exploration of generic and off beat spots of the place, and provide an exciting quest to unravel the place. The cam- glasses promote convenience and quest to unravel the place. The guide includes a before, during and after process. The journal provides prompts for the users to start thinking about their travel experiences and document it. The app associated with this kit enables its users to access cultures and stories on a digital platform.
This kit has been made for a user who would like to explore Bangalore for the first time. The user can order the kit with to without the cam glasses (which could affect the cost of the kit). This could be an ongoing project as the kits can be made for others (remote and well-known), depending on research as well as the data bank provided by the application.
Through this, I hope to incorporate a plural sense of understanding, sharing and knowing!
FINAL OUTPUT
THANK YOU!
