Modern Nomads
MISSION: To explore and investigate a chosen topic in-depth through various design exercises and projects. To present design work through a final integrated book design.
TACTICS: Through initial class exercises where I delved deeper into my interest in travel, cultures, technology, and alternative lifestyles, I decided to focus on what it means to be a nomad in the 21st-Century. I researched different types of modern nomads: Journalists, photographers, snow-birds, business travelers and telecommuters, and many more. I read blogs, viewed tumblers and read articles from the people living these unconventional lives. I even met and talked with a founder of the tiny house movement at one of his traveling open-houses. I gathered a group of travelers from different backgrounds and age groups over to my home for a focus-group dinner featuring food from around the world.
INSIGHTS: One of the many insights that came forth in my research is the ease and accessibility of building and maintaining a nomadic lifestyle through the use of technology. Being a nomad is not synonymous with being a bum or the lack of professional ambition. There are many people using the flexibility of new technology to enhance their alternative work lives. I definitely aimed to highlight aspects of modern technology as a tool in the final design.
ASSUMED PERSONAS: For this semester-long project, I delved deep into research, explored numerous angles and perspectives, and ultimately had to gather and distill a mass of informa-
tion into clear and concise bits of the most interesting and useful highlights. I also took on the role of focus group organizer, event planner, and discussion leader and mediator to accomplish a successful focus group session that would lead to helpful insights for the final design.