I believe we increasingly lose the human dimension in societal debates, where polarization, strong opinions, and preconceived ideas often leave little room for nuance or dialogue. Design can play a critical role in creating spaces where these fixed positions are momentarily suspended and people are invited to encounter other perspectives. In such polarized contexts, behavior is often judged without considering the social environments in which it is formed. Actions that feel unacceptable when observed from the outside are frequently normalized within one’s own social bubble, where familiarity creates understanding. The lack of direct encounter reinforces distance and misunderstanding. By emphasizing listening and observing, design can shift attention from judgment toward understanding, creating space for dialogue.
Within this context, I see design as a powerful tool for storytelling and for creating meaningful experiences that support understanding across different social bubbles. My work aims to amplify unheard voices by combining storytelling with physical and interactive design installations, inviting people to engage by listening to one another. Film plays a central role in this approach. It can be understood as a form of clay within the design process (Ylirisku & Buur, 2007), enabling people to experience situations without being physically present. By bringing abstract issues closer to lived realities, film makes complex social contexts more accessible and tangible.
In policy and organizational contexts, I see a growing need for bottom up approaches that reconnect strategy with lived experience. Film based design allows these perspectives to enter decision making processes by creating shared moments of reflection among policymakers and stakeholders (Pink, 2007). By humanizing abstract discussions, design can support inclusive and empathetic forms of organizational change.
Pink, S. (2007). Doing visual ethnography. https://doi.org/10.4135/9780857025029
Ylirisku, S., & Buur, J. (2007). Designing with Video: Focusing the user-centred design process. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL28169489M/Designing_with_Video