During this exchange, I refreshed my UX design competencies which were quite rusty after the many research and philosophy focused courses. These included the full double-diamond process, and UI prototyping using Figma. A user-centred project focusing on reconnecting with nature in urban areas allowed me to explore ecological themes in pragmatic design practices.
The course Mātauranga Design introduced me to the Māori culture. This included making a visual pepeha, reinforcing the importance of integrating personal beliefs and values into design. Additionally, the course highlighted the relevance of traditional knowledge in contemporary design through learning about Indigenous practices such as woodworking, bone carving, and weaving, connecting with Tim Ingold’s theories of making.
This exchange afforded my commitment towards integrating posthuman thinking in my design, acknowledging both the beauty of our natural world and biodiversity, as well as the valuable knowledge of the Māori worldview.
