Communicating Ideas

Our initial session of the course delved into the foundational elements of storytelling and its integral role in effectively conveying design projects. We explored how storytelling extends beyond words, shaping emotional and cognitive experiences by engaging the sensory cortex. Through the lens of communication models, we learned about the bidirectional flow of media, where the encoder (message sender) and decoder (audience) engage in a feedback loop, making context critical for meaning.

Storytelling is universal, embedded in everything from jokes to complex narratives, and comprises 4 key elements: context, character, point of view, and argument. To craft impactful stories, We discovered 8 essentials: a captivating start, credibility through detail, intrigue, conflict, archetypes, metaphors, character transformation, and a WOW ending.

Effective storytelling connects emotionally with the audience, and understanding who the audience is, is critical to building a project’s communication strategy.

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Stakeholders radar exercise

The Stakeholders radar is a strategic tool for mapping the individuals, groups, or institutions you aim to engage with for your project. The radar is divided into categories, with stakeholders placed closer or further away depending on their accessibility and importance at different stages.

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Tandem interview exercise

I did the exercise with Flavio, and it was an interesting and valuable experience for both of us. On one hand, it allowed me to learn more about his project (important to find potential connections and opportunities for collaboration). On the other hand, it helped me assess how clearly I communicate my own ideas. The questions he asked made me reflect on areas that needed further development and gave me new perspectives. Overall, it was a great way to strengthen my narrative and build mutual understanding.

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Purpose statement exercise

In this exercise, I used Simon Sinek's Golden Circle framework to define the core purpose of my project. By exploring the What, How, and Why behind my work, I clarified my project's goals, methods, and inspiration. This process helped me articulate a clear and compelling purpose that drives my exploration of sweat as a valuable resource. Below are my responses to each stage of the framework, leading to my final purpose statement.

Sweat as a resource: redefining perception and exploring potential

Sweat is often seen as something to hide, an embarrassing side effect of heat, exercise, or anxiety. For me, this hits close to home. Living with hyperhidrosis, I’ve spent years feeling anxious about sweating too much, especially in public spaces like classrooms or crowded transportation. Sweat has often been my biggest source of discomfort, feeding into a vicious cycle where the more anxious I became, the more I sweated. But what if sweat wasn’t something to be ashamed of? What if it was something valuable?

This project is my attempt to flip the narrative. Sweat is one of the most underexplored and underappreciated fluids our bodies produce. It doesn’t discriminate regardless of race, gender, or identity, we all sweat. In fact, an average person produces around 1,000 liters of sweat each year. That’s a lot of untapped potential! Sweat is not just water; it contains minerals, electrolytes, and other compounds that could be put to practical use.

My project explores this potential. I’ve been deeply inspired by the work of Alice Potts, who crystallizes sweat on athletes’ garments to capture their hard work and dedication. It’s a beautiful way to use sweat as a material, but I want to take this exploration even further. I’m currently experimenting with the pH reactivity of sweat to create garments that change color as you sweat, imagine a dynamic, wearable canvas that evolves with your body’s responses. It’s sweat turned into art, expression, and perhaps even a tool for self-awareness.

Of course, working with sweat is tricky. It’s 99% water, which means collecting enough of it is a challenge in itself. But I’m committed to experimenting and finding ways to make it work. This project isn’t just about the science of sweat, it’s about changing how we perceive it. By turning sweat into something valuable, expressive, and even practical, I hope to challenge the stigma around it. And in doing so, I hope to help people like me, especially those with hyperhidrosis, feel seen, understood, and more comfortable in their own skin.

Sweat is more than just a bodily function; it’s a symbol of effort, emotion, and humanity. And through this project, I aim to give it the recognition it deserves.

Why

The project exists to challenge the stigma around sweat, turning it from an embarrassing byproduct into a valuable and celebrated resource. By highlighting its unique properties and potential uses, I aim to foster acceptance of natural bodily processes, especially for those with hyperhidrosis, and showcase sweat as a unifying human element that transcends gender, race, and identity.

How

I explore sweat through hands-on experimentation, from collecting and crystallizing it to using pH-sensitive materials like BTB to create dynamic, color-changing wearables. I'm experimenting with biomaterials, conductivity, and other properties of sweat to find innovative applications that transform the way people view and interact with it.

What

The project develops prototypes such as wearable garments that respond to sweat through visual transformations, or experimental kits that allow individuals to engage with and understand their own sweat. It explores practical and artistic applications of sweat, pushing the boundaries of how we use and perceive this overlooked bodily fluid.

Transforming sweat from an embarrassing byproduct into a valuable resource, my project explores its unique properties to foster acceptance, creativity, and innovation through wearable design, biomaterials, and human-centered experimentation.

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My social media account

Here you can find the link to my Instagram account where I post design related content

I'm trying to keep my LinkedIn profile updated with posts related to relevant activities and events from my master's program. Here are some examples:

• A post about my experience and exhibition at Design Dialogues. Check it here
• A post showcasing the work I completed during the Interdisciplinary Workshop at Elisava. Check it here

Stay tuned for more updates!

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Final presentation

In the presentation, you will find the following key elements: the project description, the project name, the purpose statement, the final stakeholders diagram, and the communication matrix.

29MB

FinalAssignment_Javier.pptx