Welcome

The Junior Design Research Conference (JRC) is an annual event that brings together MA students who follow a Master of Arts in Design program at a Swiss University of Applied Sciences. The HEAD – Genève, Haute école d'art et de design is happy to welcome you in this year for the 13th edition of the JRC.

The Junior Design Research Conference started over ten years ago as part of the Swiss Design Network Symposia. The conference's organization has been rotating yearly among the participating universities ever since:

Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW, Basel)
Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK, Zürich)
Hochschule der Künste Bern (HKB, Bern)
École cantonale d'art de Lausanne (ECAL, Lausanne)
Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI, Mendrisio)
Haute école d'art et de design (HEAD, Geneva)
Hochschule Luzern (HSLU, Lucerne)

The conference provides compelling insights into current and relevant research topics and methodological approaches at the master’s level. It also offers an exceptional opportunity for informal exchange and networking between students based on their interests and practices.

The conference aims to instigate an awareness of different design disciplines, topics, approaches, and methods in the various stages of developing a master’s thesis. The morning is dedicated to students’ short presentations of their research topics, shedding light on the knowledge gap that their projects are dealing with, their research methodology, and the connections between practice and theory. The workshops carried out by the students for their peers in the afternoon will allow them to dive deeper into those topics. Finally, a social get-together will round up the event in the evening.

Organizing team (HEAD – Genève):
– Cyrus Lognonné-Khalatbari, PhD Candidate HEAD – Genève & EPFL
– Anthony Masure, Dean of Research
– Christelle Granite-Noble, Administrative Assistant

Program

MORNING PROGRAM

8:45 AM

Arrival and Welcome Coffee

Building H (Red) : Cafetaria

9:30 AM

Welcome to the Conference from Lada Umstätter, Director and Anthony Masure, Dean of Research, HEAD – Genève

Building H (Red) : Le Cube

9:45 AM

Panel I

Building H (Red) : Le Cube

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Tanguy Morvan
ECAL (Lausanne), Master in Photography

Total Photography

By studying Western social, visual, and ethical cultures from the 1920s to the present day, we can understand the mechanisms by which contemporary photography has become an extension of the modernist era of photography. From 1920 to the present day, Western photography has undergone drastic changes in both form and content. The evolution of culture, society, industry, and key scientific events have enabled photography to expand and identity itself with plural tools, quite different from those used by the avantgardists. Probably different in form, but fundamentally imbued with the same intentions and ambitions for photography. The research carried out by modernist photographers and designers has led contemporary photographers to question their tools and their practices, to the point of using computational imagery such as Computer-Generated Imagery for a better understanding of their surroundings, their cultures, and the social and ethical impact of their work and practices. Surely, all began with the Optical Structuring, which began in the Bauhaus schools of the 20s and was a concept largely developed and discussed by László Moholy-Nagy throughout his career. This concept laid the foundations for a healthy, constructed, and total photography.

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Léonie Courbat
HEAD – Genève, Master in Media Design

Are you a boy ? Or are you a girl ? ( - What video games do to our gender ?)

Video games are part of a big globalized industry and many people play them. However, events like the Gamergate or the reaction of some people to female characters, like Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West, show that Gender is not a neutral topic in the video game field. For my master thesis, I am interested in how players perceive, use and absorb this very diversified content that are video games. I want to explore the different ways gender thematics may manifest themselves in it from the perspective of French and Swiss players.

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Riccardo Sala

SUPSI (Mendrisio), Master of Arts in Interaction Design

Favilla

Cultural producers play a crucial role in shaping contemporary and future culture. This study explores the experiences of cultural producers in Italy and Switzerland, examining their work, social interactions, and the recent shift towards semi-private online spaces free from algorithmic advertising. The analysis focuses on the structuring of these spaces, their interaction with the public sphere, and their potential to foster innovative cultural production.

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Thomas Moser
HSLU (Lucerne), MA Digital Ideation

Decision making in self-managed organizations

A well-functioning organization must have hierarchies, right? Not necessarily. Self-managed organizations distribute authority broadly among their members. But in such setups, how are decisions reached when no single person holds ultimate authority? I'm part of such an organization, and I was delving deep to understand our decision-making process, identify challenges, and explore how design solutions might enhance the way we make decisions.

10:35 AM

Panel II

Margherita D’Ugo

Like tourist, like traveller
HGK (Basel), MA Digital Communication Environments

The tourism industry depletes ecosystems and commodifies cultural assets, contributing to social frictions and inequalities. In this project, design doesn’t provide solutions, instead, becomes a critical tool to provoke thought.

The research resulted in a speculative digital artefact that challenges users to confront the repercussions of their travel choices. Through ambiguous interactions and ironic aesthetics, the project aims to ignite conversations and foster a sense of responsibility, emphasizing that travellers are just as responsible as tourists."

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Stephanie Bär
ZHdK (Zürich), Master Design Visual Communication

In-between: A spatial investigation between observation and memory

We experience states of in-between every day. We move between rooms, states, places. My project begins with the spaces and spatial situations that we often merely pass through. Those that make the fleeting conversation, the short break or the long farewell take place. Be it a hallway, a canopy, a stairwell or merely a door frame. They define the transition from one place to another. They lead and guide, some offer protection. Something changes.


With my master thesis I take a look at these states of inbetween, at the coincidences and the togetherness that they hold and everything I encounter in the process.

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Vilma Hubalek
HEAD – Genève, Master of Arts in Interior Architecture

Reducing the stress of waiting

In the process of designing hospitals, waiting rooms in outpatient clinics seem to have been left out. Waiting areas often lack natural light and ventilation, in most cases the size of the space is not adequate for the number of patients, and the standardized furniture does not meet the needs of people who are ill. The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether the waiting room of the future could become a space of mental and physical care instead of being a non-place, where patients experience some of the most stressful moments in their lives.

11:20 AM

Break

Building H (Red) : Cafetaria

11:40 AM

Panel III

Eva Böhlen
HKB (Bern), MA Design Research

Design Research Beyond the Norm: A Study of Systemic Inequalities in Public Transport Design

As a discipline rooted in Western European modernity, industrial design has consolidated its position as a supposed problem-solving field. However, a critical question emerges: How can we effectively confront these challenges when a narrow set of hegemonic norms defines our starting point? A limited understanding of design shapes designers' perspectives and reproduces these destructive realities, like patriarchy, ableism, and racism.

The result is not infrequently a flawed design that endangers human lives and complicates the daily lives of many. Through my practice-based research, I delve into how marginalized communities within public transport encounter and experience discrimination through design. This research aims to illuminate design's profound impact on public transportation.

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Krista Kaufmann
HKB (Bern), MA Design Research

Design Research Making the invisible visible: a reflection on the pitfalls, power and potential of information design in the context of recycling

Recycling is often advertised towards consumers as a viable, sustainable solution in the face of our mounting waste problem. It holds the promise of being able to stick with our current consumption model (based on the take-make-waste approach), suggesting that the last part - “waste” - can at least to some extent be remedied by “recycle”. We are all familiar with various design artifacts that communicate something about recycling: bins at train stations that invite us to correctly dispose of our waste, campaigns in the public space that remind citizens to bring back their used batteries to the recycling station or the myriad of recycling symbols on products that inform us where to dispose of what. Recycling as a concept and how it is communicated suggests that things are being taken care of. However, the truth is much bleaker: when taking the example of plastic, only a fraction is actually being recycled and some recycling symbols are downright misleading and may create a lot of confusion on the consumer's end. (Information) design then has the power to properly inform - or not. To shed light on and highlight the complexities of a (wicked) issue, or to simplify it to the point of distortion.

The purpose of this research project is to explore this wicked problem of recycling through a set of interdisciplinary methods and tools, to unveil the pitfalls and the influence of the current dominant narrative about it (mediated through information design) and to map out potential approaches for re-design, which do more justice to the reality of this complex issue. Because, recycling isn't as straight-forward as the neatly closed loop of the infamous circular arrow symbol may suggest - far from it.

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Yohanna Rieckhoff
​​ECAL (Lausanne), Master in Product Design

A white cotton T-shirt story

This is the story of a white t-shirt.
The textile industry is massive and complex. The different supply chains are interconnected in an array of complex logistics and ingenuity. In order to better understand and embrace the whole picture of this great interest I have in textiles, I chose an iconic garment as my red thread. My thesis is about the journey of a white cotton t-shirt. With 2 billion pieces sold and bought annually, it is the most sold and bought garment in the world. From the cultivation of cotton fiber in Texas to the arrival of the packaged t-shirt in Felixtowe, the journey is long, impactful, and raw.

12:25 PM

Panel IV

Vanessa Göttle
HGK (Basel), MA Digital Communication Environments

Humor beyond language: An image-based inquiry.

The project explores the possibilities and limits of humor conveyed through images. It combines theories from the field of philosophy with visual examples from the art and design context, as well as images produced by 'amateurs.' The project aims to explore and categorize ideas on how to introduce humorous elements into images.

Creating a humorous connotation requires an unexpected twist, and nothing is as detrimental to surprise as habit and repetition. To exclude stereotypical representations, this must be achieved through creativity and invention. Furthermore, humor allows us not only to endure imperfections and mistakes but also to celebrate them. Which is a fascinating starting point for creative processes, not limited to jokes.

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Kasia Sroka
ZHdK (Zürich), Master Design Trends & Identity

Optimal High

Psychedelics in western-influenced societies are experiencing a revival: This is indicated by series on Netflix, articles in Vogue, retreat offers as well as dietary supplements derived from fungi. Some years ago, medical studies on psychedelics and their effect on the human psyche were allowed again. A topic that has been taboo for decades is now being looked at in a new light. - Instead of mindless ecstasy, though, a conscious hedonism and the striving for the ‚Higher Self‘ is coming into focus. Coupled with societal shifts, such as a growing return to nature, a yearning for escapism, the emergence of new forms of spirituality, various approaches to self-improvement, new markets and a redefined value system arise.

This master’s thesis examines the changing attitude towards psychoactive substances and looks to what extent these attitudes are shaped by trends such as secular spirituality, holistic health, individualism, the desire for self-optimization or unique experiences.

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Irene Njoku Ifeoma
SUPSI (Mendrisio), Master of Arts in Interaction Design

Hysteria, Witches and Wandering Wombs: A Techno-Feminist
Exploration of the Impact of Female Hysteria and Gender Bias Against the
Female Genitalia

The complex interplay of socioeconomic and cultural forces has left its mark on every woman's body, giving each one a distinctive experience. However, discussions about the female genitalia and its functions are frequently concealed in stigma and secrecy. This is a product of deep-seated societal norms and taboos that perpetuate the idea that women's issues are a result of their bodily functions. This research explores the intersection where social constructs meet the biological reality of the female body. It highlights how historical beliefs about female anatomy have shaped medical practices and influenced women's access to healthcare and education. Employing feminist technoscience, the research aims to break the silence, providing women with the tools to understand and embrace their bodies, fostering bodily autonomy and well-being.

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Chiara Turel
HSLU (Luzern), MA Design

Desigmatising Death: What should an intervention that destigmatises discussions on death look like?

This project focuses on investigating what methods and tools might be helpful in destigmatising discussions about death, and looks at how a design intervention might encourage people to engage with and talk about this topic more openly with their loved ones.

1:35 PM

Info Lunch and Funding Fair

Building H (Red) : Le Cube

1:40 PM

Funding Fair (simultaneous to Lunch Break)

Building H (Red) : Le Cube

2:50 PM

Lunch Break (simultaneous to Funding Fair)

HEAD – Genève Cafetaria
Building H (Red)

Migros, Denner, Liddl, Burger King, Wasabi
Planètes Charmilles, Promenade de l'Europe 11, 1203 Genève

Green Wheel Coffee
Rue de Bourgogne 31, 1203 Genève

La Panière - Les Charmilles
Rue de Lyon 118, 1203 Genève

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

2:50 PM

Gathering for workshops

Building H (Red) : Le Cube

3:00 PM

Workshops

Building H (Red) & Building E (Gray)

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Workshop 1: Tanguy Morvan
E - 2.20

Optical (re)structuring.

Abstract: Based on the approach of modernist photographers and designers (20–30s), we will explore how different tools and processes can expand our understanding of shapes, objects, textures, and colors. Based on three different kinds of photographic images that will be shown as references (one photogram, one digital photograph and one computer-generated render), the student will be asked to develop a work with at least three different technics, such as LEGO brick sculptures, Play-Doh sculptures, artificial intelligence (Stable Diffusion, DALL-E, etc.,), digital cameras, analog cameras, phones, technical drawings, and a 3D render, but it can also be any other kind of workflow that the student would find interesting for the topic. The exercise consists of reproducing the three reference images with different techniques and processes to enlighten the evolution of the optical structure and its impact on the representation of photographic subjects.

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Workshop 2: Léonie Courbat
H - 3.09

Sharing perceptions.

A workshop to think and discuss about the possible ways gender may manifests (or not) in video games. The participants will at first react to some screenshots from different video games. Then, we will use mind maps to explore the notions of gender and video games and the combination of both. If we have time, we will also investigate what might be considered as gender neutral in video games and why. This workshop is a space to exchange about different opinions and explore the topic's richness and complexity.

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Workshop 3: Riccardo Sala
H - R.02

Glitched Personas.

During this experimental workshop, drawing upon tools from Speculative Design, Character Design and Role-Playing Games, we will explore a protocol for collectively crafting a speculative story set in a parallel reality, defining the lore of a possible world. We will then consider the implications this process has in the here and now and its potential.

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Workshop 4: Thomas Moser
E - 1.07

Make your choice!

In this workshop, we will start from a decision that you have to make and examine whether AI can help you with this decision. Or at least encourage you to think about how you make decisions.

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Workshop 5: Margherita D’Ugo
H - Le Cube

Like Tourist, Like Traveller.

During the workshop, we will explore the possibilities of using design to create new narratives that can reveal social, cultural and environmental contradictions of our travel choices. We will analyze specific traveller types and design a pretext for confronting them with a critical issue. Sarcastic language, ambiguous form and exaggerated aesthetics will be used to provoke and trigger the target sensitivity. (Bringing your own laptop is recommended)

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Workshop 6: Stephanie Bär
H - 3.13

In-between. Memories in fragment.

Exploring spaces of the in-between through body and memory. In this workshop we have a look at the threshold spaces that we encounter on a daily basis, those that we might think to simply go through. Trying to retell them in a different way, we make use of our collective experiences. Through writing, walks and the use of space we will search for a personal approach to the in-between, both individually and collectively.

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Workshop 7: Vilma Hubalek
E - 1.06

Reducing the stress of waiting.

In the process of designing hospitals, waiting rooms in outpatient clinics seem to have been left out. Waiting areas often lack natural light and ventilation, in most cases the size of the space is not adequate for the number of patients, and the standardized furniture does not meet the needs of people who are ill. The aim of this workshop is to investigate whether the attributes of the spaces you feel the most comfortable, safe and relaxed could actually be translated into the waiting room of the future.

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Workshop 8: Eva Böhlen
H - Le Cube

Beyond the norm.

What is your experience? We use collective perception to collect, analyze, and discuss a broad range of emotions and experiences that are made on public transport. When using this infrastructure, the most diverse needs come together. Through interaction, we can experience and understand different perspectives. Using a methodical approach, we will share, visualize, and discuss various experiences.

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Workshop 9: Krista Kaufmann
H - Le Cube

Unveiling the myths behind recycling symbols.

Recycling is often advertised as a sustainable solution in the face of our mounting waste problem. And so, communication about recycling is omnipresent in the consumer space, like the circular arrow symbols, printed on almost every kind of packaging. Those are intended to give information about the product at hand or/and where to dispose of it. However, the use of those symbols is often ominous, vague, opaque. They may suggest a perfectly closed material loop, but the story they are telling can be more often situated in the realm of myth than actual reality. The purpose of this workshop is to explore unveil our assumptions about recycling and the symbols we encounter on every packaging that we buy, to explore our recycling practices (or lack thereof) and to come up with alternative design proposals that might tell a different story.

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Workshop 10: Yohanna Rieckhoff
H - R.02

Sashiko T-shirt.

Textile waste is enormous. Today, less than 1%of textile waste is recycled into an equal or higher value application. With a hands-on approach (patchwork, mending...), each workshop participant will work on a discarded T-shirt, making it appealing and unique again.
While working on each t-shirt, we will discuss how to reduce or rethink some aspects of the textile supply chain to reduce or change the end-of-life of a t-shirt.

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Workshop 11: Vanessa Göttle
H - 1.20

Humor beyond language.

A deviation into humorous images. In this workshop we will analyse, compare and discuss images taking into account cultural and social factors. We will also focus on the creation of humorous images. Whereby everyday objects and improvisation act as creative forces.

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Workshop 12: Kasia Sroka
E - Barthélémy Menn

Optimal High. Reshaping Psychedelics: Cultural Paradigm Shifts of Mind-Altering Substances.

Psychedelics in western-influenced societies are experiencing a revival. 
Coupled with societal shifts, such as a growing return to nature, a yearning for escapism, the emergence of new forms of spirituality, various approaches to self-improvement, new markets and a redefined value system arise. A topic that has been taboo for decades is now being looked at in a new light. This master’s thesis examines the changing attitude towards psychoactive substances and looks at how these are shaped.

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Workshop 13: Irene Njoku Ifeoma
E - George Addor

Hysteria, Witches and Wandering Wombs: A Techno-Feminist Exploration of the Impact of Female Hysteria and Gender Bias Against the Female Genitalia

The complex interplay of socioeconomic and cultural forces has left its mark on every woman's body, giving each one a distinctive experience. However, discussions about the female genitalia and its functions are frequently concealed in stigma and secrecy. This is a product of deep-seated societal norms and taboos that perpetuate the idea that women's issues are a result of their bodily functions. This research explores the intersection where social constructs meet the biological reality of the female body. It highlights how historical beliefs about female anatomy have shaped medical practices and influenced women's access to healthcare and education. Employing feminist technoscience, the research aims to break the silence, providing women with the tools to understand and embrace their bodies, fostering bodily autonomy and well-being.

*************************************

Workshop 14: Chiara Turel
E - 1.14

Let's talk death: unconventional associations.

In this workshop, we will look at what associations we make with the topic of death and grief, and together try to reframe these to create new ways of thinking and talking about the topic.

5:45 PM

Closing of Conference

Building H (Red) : Le Cube

6:00 PM

Apéro / Party

Building H (Red) : Cafetaria

Information

Train Connections
20.11.2022

Basel

6:03 AM

Genève

8:47 AM

Bern

6:53 AM

Genève

8:47 AM

Lausanne

8:13 AM

Genève

8:50 AM

Luzern

5:28 AM

Genève

8:47 AM

Mendrisio

12:42 PM

Genève

6:47 PM

Zürich

6:04 AM

Genève

8:47 AM

Registration

If you want to participate at the conference you will be registered through your corresponding Master's program.

Database

Creating an account to add your thesis to the database is currently closed. If you already have an account you can login and update your submission. Otherwise please contact your university.

Contact

HEAD – Genève, Haute école d'art et de design

Av. de Châtelaine 5,
1203 Genève,
Switzerland