Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
ing to be designed. While Alison does use secondary methods like these, she also
likes to 'get out there', to site herself within the research, which enables her to devel-
op a different perspective. By walking, photographing, taking notes, or just talking to
people she builds up a range of different types of information, which she then uses
to develop content for the work. These types of methods are often used in other sub-
ject areas and could be broadly defined as ethnographic. As a graphic designer, she
finds crossing borders into other academic territories, like cultural geography for ex-
ample, particularly interesting. She likes to take on new ideas and research methods
from outside of design and interpret them from her position as a graphic designer. In a
sense, she becomes something of a bricoleur, someone who constructs their approach
using a range of diverse research methods specifically chosen to respond to the par-
ticular situation that is of interest.
Stuff
also includes envelopes that contain ephemeral artifacts that the reader can handle; for
example, old photographs, stamps, cigarette cards and handwritten cards and letters. Handling
these objects creates a pause within the process of exploration of the topic and enables the read-
er to reflect not only on these objects, but also on similar objects that may relate to their own
possessions and memories.
