WEEK FIVE
- Angie Moyler
- Nov 1, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2022
GDE740 Competitive Context.
Power with not Power over.
The brief that I have chosen to follow is Global Competition in response to Creative Conscience. This fits well with matters that have caught my attention at the moment, and with ideas I have for the development of UCAN.
The very bottom line or vision for UCAN. has always been to be
a ground level
initiative to
empower all
to contribute
Words are incredibly powerful.
'Ground level' simply means the place where we walk. Where every day life happens. Where the impact of the initiative is felt in the community that shares that space. This means a thorough understanding of issues faced by the intended community.
For this purpose I have deliberately chosen the word initiative over project. According to the Cambridge Business English dictionary the definition of Initiative is
“a new plan or action to improve something or solve a problem”.
Whereas the definition of project is;
“a piece of planned work or an activity which is done over a period of time and intended to achieve a particular purpose”.
With an initiative the end goal is lightly held. An initiative starts with an idea with an intention, but also with a recognition that when a community is involved there needs to be the freedom and flexibility to allow it to evolve. If that means its success ends up being something very different to the original intention - then thats fine. Thats where ownership comes in and control leaves. Thats where listening to and working with a community enhances the result. Power with as opposed to power over.
A project has a different trajectory as the end goal is defined and largely immovable.
I think there are places within an initiative to combine both.
Empower simply means to give the authority to do something. Part of my ethos and life philosophy is that we all have inherent dignity. If that is taken away due to race, gender, unjust policy or behaviour then, with whatever power is at our disposal, we have an opportunity and I would even go so far as to say - moral duty if we are unable to find authentic compassion - to restore that dignity.
'All' - is what it says. Inclusive. No ifs or buts or exceptions.
'Contribute'. Simply means 'give in order to be able to achieve something'. We all have a need to give at some level. It's part of what makes us human. To serve others. Giving enables purpose, brings hope and therefore uncovers dignity.
When good design thinking is applied to articulating the ethos of an initiative it will provide an inclusive reference point for the creative process of any initiative or project.
A good place to start in order to produce effective, intentional design.
Research in to similar initiatives and to find more design communities with a similar ethos.
My first port of call for research into similar or inspirational initiatives has to be The Trussell Trust.
Simply because their remit is to support food banks and to eradicate them at the same time.
Two strong reasons behind the inspiration of UCAN.
Shockingly food banks have become a normal part of our culture in the UK. They serve real people in all of our communities, with very real needs. Economic and social issues have forced people in to poverty. My response to this is to 'use what I have in my hands'. That seems to be an ability to generate ideas and to apply design thinking in order to actualise them. Addressing the economic issues I can only do by being intentional about my vote.
Having investigated data on poverty in the UK Paddy started a food parcel initiative providing three days support for those in need, from his shed. It was called the Salisbury Foodbank. Inspiration was drawn from an ancient text in the Bible;
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
There have always been people in need - there always will be. There have always been those who respond and give - there always will be. This is part of what makes us human.
So, this is where The Trussell Trust all started - with an idea, compassion and a shed. More than twenty years later it supports a huge network of foodbanks. From April 2021 to March 2022 The Trussell Trust provided 2.1 million food parcels to those in crisis.
They also challenge the social and economic structures which drive people in to poverty. The eventual outcome being to consign the need for food banks to a shameful chapter in our history books.
It is initiatives like this which motivate others and give me hope for the inherent dignity and goodness in humanity. This has either consciously or sub-consciously inspired UCAN.
I am also inspired by the design agency in Barcelona - La Casa De Carlota . where creatives work with a range of other creatives such as fine art students or those with Downs Syndrome or other learning differences.
I am intrigued how I could bring this in to the development of UCAN. Their ethos of diversity and inclusion fits well.
I cannot tell you how much this video inspires me and gives me hope for the design community. What has discouraged me and positively repulsed me the most in my creative journey has been the elite positioning of good design. The dark rimmed - usually round - glasses, the black turtle necks in the clinical studios with cutting edge technology with not a paint tube in sight using language that excludes most people. You know exactly what I mean. We have all seen it. How tragic that we ever got to this. How tragic that we cannot include and grow. That we have to academise creativity and elevate it to only be taken seriously with a PhD - or a pair of horn rimmed round glasses.
In the progression of UCAN. I would like to allow food bank users the possibility of involvement in the design process. To include those this initiative is intended to serve right at the beginning of the brand image process.
My next port of call is Habitat for Humanity.
The inspiration I took from this organisation is how they work with those in need to empower them and restore dignity and - in this case - a place which they can make a home. Belonging and purpose.
Habitat for Humanity in the UK essentially works to restore empty housing into useable dwellings. In all over 600,000 homes are vacant while the UK also has a colossal homeless crisis.
Habitat fro Humanity works with other ground level organisations to meet local need. They act as a 'catalytic enabler'.
I can see how the ethos of UCAN. can work as a cataylic enabler and will look at how I can build this in to the 'Why?' and 'How?' of this initiatives ethos.
This initiative in New Orleans uses art to highlight the result of government policies.
How could a poster campaign/competition by food bank users be included in UCAN.?
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