TimeFrames
A digital archive of stories exploring time and cultural tempos
Participatory & Co-design | 3D Model
student project, MAUX LCC | team: Ana Garcia
introduction
This was my final major project thesis of the MA UX course, at London College of Communication, UAL. In collaboration with my project partner Ana Garcia, we explored the different dimensions of time through the lens of cultural tempos.
Being able to explore the qualitative functions time played in the changing paces of life at macro and micro levels, focusing on an individual approach was the aim of this project.
We used discursive storytelling, participatory and codesigned workshops to collect cross-cultural, unique fingerprints that explored the feelings of obscurities and unfamiliarities in a new timeframe.
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designing with and by people
Time talks. It speaks more plainly than words. Time serves as a ‘frame of reference’ understood and applied by people. The different perceptions and orientations of time felt at individual and personal levels, lead us to explore the unique temporal fingerprints for people moving from a similar or different culture to the same new culture.
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The research methods used for this project included narrative research using discursive storytelling, diary mapping methods, participatory workshops as a way of discovery, and exploring materiality as a way of expression. The workshops covered activities that required the participants to physically make models supported by a series of questions that stimulated participants’ inputs as a means for discussion.
Process of inquiry
Diary mapping method and discursive storytelling workshop outcomes
Participatory and co-designed workshop outcomes
Refining the workshop structure through the four participatory workshops conducted allowed us to respond to our participants' feedback and create a stronger framework of design and discovery. From the workshop findings, we were able to understand the role of culture in time, having an influencing factor on the behaviours, relations, rhythms, and experiences of individuals.
These workshops were able to uncover the nonlinear, multi-sensory, and textural layers of time and cultural tempos. Being able to retain these layers was our next stage of design. ​
uncovering the 'untold stories'
Retaining the physical in the digital was an imperative process for representing these layered, textural narratives. Using the SketchUp software, we re-created 3D model versions of the co-designed narratives. Incorporating this into our digital archive allowed for the ability to 360 degrees rotate and zoom into the details and materials used for expression.
Creating 3D model versions of the 'untold stories'
TimeFrames - a digital archive of cultural, temporal fingerprints
TimeFrames is an online archive and a library containing a collection of stories that is designed to explore the different dimensions of time through the lens of cultural tempos. These narratives are a reflection of the people, their cultures, and their changing paces of life. The stories are all situated in the city of London. It is an archive of stories from people coming from China, India, Spain, Turkey, France, and America, who have moved to London.
The final outcome
The period of unfamiliarity and varying degrees of getting accustomed to a new environment is a layered and complex process; as seen through the narratives and artifacts created. TimeFrames is a tool that allows for this expression and storing of rhythms and elements of the disruptions and obscurities felt. This tool can also be extended to becoming a restorative platform, a tool for ease of adaptation, for individuals to find the comfort of not being the only one going through the feeling of a foreign change in time by being able to see real people and real stories.
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Link to the archive: https://stories-about-time-1698ee.webflow.io/
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The entire project can be seen on my blog: https://mehtas1702.wixsite.com/blog/fmp
I love the diversity and openmindedness
- Niharika Mukhi, India, a participant from our workshop
Trying to find my sense of belonging!