Last semester I completed a studio brief based on the idea of ‘Culture’, I decided to focus on wall art and graffiti. After exploring various methods of primary and secondary research throughout the first and second semester I have realised how important good research is, it is the basis for a successful project so within this research proposal I will look at how I could have applied the methods I have learned to my studio brief and with my broader range of knowledge, could have produced a better body of work.
My Cultures project focused mainly around wall art but also taking influences from graffiti which I see around me every day. Firstly I decided to look all the way back to cave painting and wall art from thousands of years ago. My main influences came from the aesthetics of cave paintings but I think one thing which I would have done differently If I was to begin this project again would have been to further investigate graffiti today and look further into cave paintings and wall art to try to get a proper understanding behind the paintings, emphasising that they are not just something pretty or interesting to look at, but that they have meaning, they tell a story.
Taking this as my main aim I think I would have chosen to research literature as a starting point to gather information about the importance of wall art, where and when the first wall art was created or discovered, was this the first attempt of humans passing information through time? Was it effective and did it carry out its original purpose? What about wall art which we see today, some people feel that graffiti is destroying the look of our cities but others class it as art, a skill even. Maybe the ‘artist’ is simply trying to get a their own point across or tell as story through their wall art just like they were doing through cave paintings all those years ago. I would attempt yet again to conquer ‘cross-search’ which I struggled with in the first semester, I am sure if I gave it another go I would come out with better results given time. I think this would definitely be a useful resource as well as using the internet to gather information. One downfall with using the internet though is that all websites cannot be trusted therefore I could not be sure that all information gathered would be valid. Otherwise I think this would be a really handy tool as it is easily accessible and is not particularly time consuming.
Another method which I think would also have been beneficial and interesting to use for this project would be the analysing of photographs, referring back to assignment 1 ‘The Consumption of Design‘. In the case of graffiti I could have studied images of wall art being carried out in public places and try to understand what the purpose of this happening was, what I could tell from the art itself and from the person carrying out the activity as well as studying the way people react seeing the wall art. Relating to the cave paintings I think it would be interesting to study images of various wall art and cave painting to try and understand for myself what the artist was trying to convey through the images they depicted, where were the images sited and to whom would they have been aimed at?
I think one method in particular which would give me the best results would be undertaking interviews with specialists in this field, whom I’m sure would be more than happy to assist me with my research, informing me on something which they are presumably passionate about. I think I would have gathered very useful information which would aid me in my research and it would be information that I can trust. Something else I would have done would be to attend a museum featuring wall art exhibits. I could have talked to members of the public within the gallery/museum, questioning them on how they feel about the exhibits as well as how they feel about graffiti which they see today, is it a good or bad thing? A gallery would be a peaceful environment which I’m sure the subject would find less intimidating, a museum is someplace in which you could almost lose yourself in, so to speak, so hopefully I would be able to get a decent amount of good information from them, given I asked the correct questions.
On the other hand, carrying out interviews with graffiti artists would also be a good route to go down, it would have allowed me to get a better understanding of ‘their’ side of things. Why they produce these pieces and what they aim to achieve doing so. Is it possible to change the way people think about graffiti? Instead of it being seen as something bad can it be used to build communities maybe? An example of making graffiti a more positive thing, would be a club in the town which I live in which holds ‘live art’ nights in which artists come along and create ‘pieces’, as suggested, live and whilst the music is playing and people are dancing along, the atmosphere buzzing.
In conclusion I feel the most beneficial method of research would be undertaking interviews with specialist within this field and also the public and how they feel about graffiti today. I think carrying out these methods would give me a deeper understanding behind the subject and therefore allow for a stronger body or research followed by strong development and outcome.
Thursday 1 April 2010
Assignment 5a - Research Proposal for 'Underage Drinking'
Within semester one of Design Studies I began exploring the problem of underage drinking using literature as the method of research trying to understand some of the causes and results. This assignment will explain how previous assignments I have completed could be beneficial to my research and in what way to aid further research, also why particular methods may not be so beneficial.
Firstly I would further my literature research as this would be the most effective way of finding out about technology and innovations which already exist helping to prevent or deal with this problem.
To allow me to begin understanding this problem and the extent of it I think that interviewing would be one of my preferred methods. This is because I feel it would give me a variation of perspectives and opinions by interviewing for example, the police whom have to deal with these underage drinkers, families of the drinkers, small shop owners whom seem to be one of the main sources for alcohol for kids that drink on the streets, also staff and bouncers of pubs.
I could also use this method within an Accident & Emergency department as they see the results of underage drinking first hand. Using the interview technique here would allow me to get to the truth about what happens within the department. With permission, speaking to patients, family members, staff and porters would allow me to gather data on the reasons why the drinkers ended up in hospital, the extent of possible injuries that can occur, what effect it has on everyone involved, if it is a usual occurrence etc. I think this would be a valuable area to look into.
Policing is another avenue that I can follow up on as they could tell me what problems they face day-to-day with the underage drinkers. This may be a problem as they may not be willing to allow me to assist them or I may be putting myself at risk. I could possibly assist a “special constable” instead or community warden which may be safer. They could give me information on campaigns i.e.” challenge 21”, “Alcohol Awareness Weeks” etc. as well as where local youths are known to congregate and consume alcohol and their powers to confiscate any alcohol found. Under-age drinkers are known to conceal alcohol in bottles labelled as soft drinks and now police officers are equipped with alcohol-testing strips, I would try to find out more about methods of prevention like this and how effective they are.
I could also interview the public in different bars, they maybe more willing to speak in a comfortable environment about how they feel regarding underage drinking and youngsters drinking in the pubs, also whether an “old man pub” or a “trendy pub” makes any difference to the outcome of the questions. Although they may be intoxicated therefore the answer may not be viable.
Interviewing teenagers in general could be an option as I would get their first hand experience and being young myself they may be more willing to speak to me. Although the information I gather there is likely to be exaggeration, boasting, gossip, and stories can get altered a bit. One on one would be more awkward for myself and the subject so it might be easier to interview in groups or a few people where they would probably be more willing to open up although stories more embellished and unreliable and so this may not be valid research.
Speaking to families of the underage children is a good idea, finding out whether parents were aware of the extent of the problem. If they know about the problem, do they do anything to stop it or do they feel that they cannot control it or the fact it is out of sight out of mind and they can’t keep kids locked up. This method may not work as it would only touch the surface, I am not trained in these particular situations or how to go about asking personal questions therefore asking questions in the wrong way may offend. The right person asking the right questions may be needed for this.
Pub staff and bouncers would also be worth interviewing as they have an idea of how many people they have to refuse or remove from the premises for being underage. I could find out whether pubs in different areas and which areas, have more trouble although they may not be willing to divulge this information in case they get into trouble. Maybe they would be more likely to speak in a more comfortable environment, another pub for example, then they would be more likely to chat and be open than they would at their work place.
I think that small corner shops for example may be willing to tell me the problems which they have with the kids hanging about out side of the shops, the damage they cause and the abuse they give other customers. It is likely they would not be willing to say if they sell drink to kids. It might be worthwhile asking in different areas as there might be a pattern developing of where the problem areas are.
Although this method can be really helpful in most cases there seems to be a limit to how far I could go with it. On the other hand, observation as a form of research I feel would be especially informative in finding the habits of the underage drinkers, how they get their drink, where they manage to buy it, and what type of person would buy for an underage person. This can produce a pattern maybe typical to one type of shop or to poor areas or even privileged areas in and around town. With this type of monitoring a pattern of time can be established whereby policing at and around the high points can maybe deter the underage drinkers from using this method which is usually approaching adults and asking them to purchase alcohol on their behalf. Although from my own experience of watching kid’s hanging about on the street, they do not seem to be intimidated by the police whatsoever, more that the kids are the intimidating ones.
All in all I would say that observation would be the best method of research allowing me to gather the most information and I could see for myself the truths regarding underage drinking and I could document my findings, taking notes for example then could use the method of interviewing to back up those findings.
Firstly I would further my literature research as this would be the most effective way of finding out about technology and innovations which already exist helping to prevent or deal with this problem.
To allow me to begin understanding this problem and the extent of it I think that interviewing would be one of my preferred methods. This is because I feel it would give me a variation of perspectives and opinions by interviewing for example, the police whom have to deal with these underage drinkers, families of the drinkers, small shop owners whom seem to be one of the main sources for alcohol for kids that drink on the streets, also staff and bouncers of pubs.
I could also use this method within an Accident & Emergency department as they see the results of underage drinking first hand. Using the interview technique here would allow me to get to the truth about what happens within the department. With permission, speaking to patients, family members, staff and porters would allow me to gather data on the reasons why the drinkers ended up in hospital, the extent of possible injuries that can occur, what effect it has on everyone involved, if it is a usual occurrence etc. I think this would be a valuable area to look into.
Policing is another avenue that I can follow up on as they could tell me what problems they face day-to-day with the underage drinkers. This may be a problem as they may not be willing to allow me to assist them or I may be putting myself at risk. I could possibly assist a “special constable” instead or community warden which may be safer. They could give me information on campaigns i.e.” challenge 21”, “Alcohol Awareness Weeks” etc. as well as where local youths are known to congregate and consume alcohol and their powers to confiscate any alcohol found. Under-age drinkers are known to conceal alcohol in bottles labelled as soft drinks and now police officers are equipped with alcohol-testing strips, I would try to find out more about methods of prevention like this and how effective they are.
I could also interview the public in different bars, they maybe more willing to speak in a comfortable environment about how they feel regarding underage drinking and youngsters drinking in the pubs, also whether an “old man pub” or a “trendy pub” makes any difference to the outcome of the questions. Although they may be intoxicated therefore the answer may not be viable.
Interviewing teenagers in general could be an option as I would get their first hand experience and being young myself they may be more willing to speak to me. Although the information I gather there is likely to be exaggeration, boasting, gossip, and stories can get altered a bit. One on one would be more awkward for myself and the subject so it might be easier to interview in groups or a few people where they would probably be more willing to open up although stories more embellished and unreliable and so this may not be valid research.
Speaking to families of the underage children is a good idea, finding out whether parents were aware of the extent of the problem. If they know about the problem, do they do anything to stop it or do they feel that they cannot control it or the fact it is out of sight out of mind and they can’t keep kids locked up. This method may not work as it would only touch the surface, I am not trained in these particular situations or how to go about asking personal questions therefore asking questions in the wrong way may offend. The right person asking the right questions may be needed for this.
Pub staff and bouncers would also be worth interviewing as they have an idea of how many people they have to refuse or remove from the premises for being underage. I could find out whether pubs in different areas and which areas, have more trouble although they may not be willing to divulge this information in case they get into trouble. Maybe they would be more likely to speak in a more comfortable environment, another pub for example, then they would be more likely to chat and be open than they would at their work place.
I think that small corner shops for example may be willing to tell me the problems which they have with the kids hanging about out side of the shops, the damage they cause and the abuse they give other customers. It is likely they would not be willing to say if they sell drink to kids. It might be worthwhile asking in different areas as there might be a pattern developing of where the problem areas are.
Although this method can be really helpful in most cases there seems to be a limit to how far I could go with it. On the other hand, observation as a form of research I feel would be especially informative in finding the habits of the underage drinkers, how they get their drink, where they manage to buy it, and what type of person would buy for an underage person. This can produce a pattern maybe typical to one type of shop or to poor areas or even privileged areas in and around town. With this type of monitoring a pattern of time can be established whereby policing at and around the high points can maybe deter the underage drinkers from using this method which is usually approaching adults and asking them to purchase alcohol on their behalf. Although from my own experience of watching kid’s hanging about on the street, they do not seem to be intimidated by the police whatsoever, more that the kids are the intimidating ones.
All in all I would say that observation would be the best method of research allowing me to gather the most information and I could see for myself the truths regarding underage drinking and I could document my findings, taking notes for example then could use the method of interviewing to back up those findings.
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