MA Eco-Social Design: 2 Thesis Presentations

Thursday, 15. November 2018
Faculty for Design & Art, F4 & C4

14:00, F4: Laura Heym: hinter-land – an interactive audio guide that gives a voice to people who actively shape their living environment in the countryside. The province is a space for the future!

14:45, C4:Sarah Schäfer: Teaming Tools. Reflection.Communication.Change – Shaping social dynamics for mindful interaction in professional teams.

Laura Heym: hinter-land

A distorted view of the countryside
Rural space is usually either perceived as backward or romantically idealized. These distorted images determine socio-political thinking and action.

A new narrative
What could a new, future-oriented narrative for the country look like? There are countless committed people who actively shape their rural living environment. New models of coexistence, circular-flow economy and alternative infrastructures are being tested in small communities. But these initiatives lack public visibility.

The interactive audio guide
Through hinter-land these everyday activists get a voice. In audio recordings they share their motivations and visions. The stories are collected on site in a participatory process and compiled into tours. The audio guide app with interactive elements invites locals and guests to rediscover rural areas.

Test in Brandenburg/DE
The concept was tested with the involvement of local residents in Fürstenberg/Havel, Brandenburg. A functional prototype, accompanying print media and a website were created.

hinter-land proves that rural areas can be open, diverse and sustainable. The countryside is a space of future.

Links
Project page: https://zukunfthinterland.de
Article: https://www.moz.de/artikel-ansicht/dg/0/1/1680757/
Youtube-Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv4tEOVgmr1D4f23MuFa0CA/videos

 

Sarah Schäfer: Teaming Tools

 

Working in teams can be challenging and naturally provokes tensions. However, if
they are resolved in a constructive manner, they can be a source of creative work,
development and learning. Social abilities, such as empathic interaction and
communication, fundamentally influence not only the well-being of individuals
but also the effectiveness of teamwork. The aim of Teaming Tools is helping
teams to improve their social dynamics and offers a framework that consists of a
workshop concept “Sicht” and toolset that make the unconscious dynamics visible
to be able to establish mindful and empathic relations, following the team’s
chosen objectives. Teams are guided through a process of (1) reflecting, to
sensitize for the current dynamics, (2) communicating to address issues they would
like to improve in their teamwork and (3) changing, to develop strategies to work on
these challenges in the future.