Learning Objectives: Define the key question for further investigation.
Reflections of lectures and case studies:
Lecture 1, Alec Dudson:
Alec Dudson offers a great insight into his journey so far and the struggles he overcomes in his pursuit to build an editorial platform that explores the role of design education and internships in the current landscape of social economics and creative industries. Dudson discussed the organic process undertaken after himself having transitioned from university, employment and then into an internship. At the time of this, during the 2004 economic downturn Dudson explains the difficulty of securing employment. I can offer sympathy and empathy with this situation as I too found myself in a similar position once leaving university. I had undertaken a series of workshops and short courses but had yet to find the path I wished to follow. Editorial design and creativity have been of interest in my work and I have explored this within my current practice. I must, however, conclude that my skill set would require further development to undertake this as a project proposal. I believe that an internship would greatly benefit my confidence and employability in this sector.
In his lecture, Dudson explains his core values of the Intern platform. He states that the consistent view has been to help people and he attributes this to the success thus far. He continued to discuss the importance of his ethos and working practice, his relationship with clients and keeping his beliefs stong and in focus. This is evident to see in the development of the business and the opportunities for collaborations that have been undertaken. Dudson explains that some, not all clients have responded well to his strict guidelines and brand message when paid content is being generated. He goes on to say that he has implemented strategies and works with a team of designers and developers that ensures that content is curated and works to best deliver results or leads for clients.
Lecture 2, Joe Pochodzaj
Joe Pochodzaj explores ideas of design and its role within society, he quotes Ramia Maze and Victor Papanek and states that we (designers or creatives) need to design for the real world Pochodzaj goes on to say Design can be used for political transformation. Reflecting on these statements, I asked myself Who am I? What do I stand for? What are my values? This leads me to consider previous investigations and ideas of the theory of the self and how we are perceived. We are asked to look around and consider a discovery into new perspectives and I must conclude that through this process I have achieved this in several ways, however, I continue to follow this path of self-exploration and creative development.
One of the take-away themes from Pochodzaj was the idea of social engagement and interaction. He explores the relationship between language and voice in the context of its economic environment. While I have not considered these specific themes in the same contexts, I do believe that I have started to build a portfolio that examines language and location. Specifically, the latter, being an outsider from Cornwall I am interested in the social change that is happening. In reflection of previous projects, I would offer a different perspective and outcome having spent more time on the project. I believe that there is an opportunity here for me to continue this exploration of location, language and history, to continue telling stories of people.
Lecture 3, Ben Evan James:
Theorised making was the subject in question from this first of two lectures from Ben Evan James. The lecture explores the practice of making objects that contribute to the written theories he has been exploring during his PhD study. James questions the role of para-fiction in film and discusses his findings from making his films. Objectivity in documentary film has been in question since the 1922 film Nanook of the north, where Robert J. Flaherty returns to an Inuit family after a brief visit to film. James contextualises the film concerning the colonial view of this Inuit family and when Flaherty does not observe these stereotypes he creates a fiction that is then presented as fact. James describes the relationship between the story and its cultural relevance and influence. In a time of colonisation and Flaherty’s western view, the film depicts a biased view of events. This, therefore, puts the question of authenticity and credibility to the nature of the documentary film. Considering these ideas, James goes on in lecture two to explain that his theories of para-fiction are justified through his making. Discussing the role of documentary film and its relevance in reporting the truth, considering the unconscious bias of the director.
Reflecting on the lectures thus far has enabled me to consider a series of questions for further exploration. As suggested by Ben Evan James, we should question everything, especially the things that we believe we know. From this I questioned the role of Design in secondary education, I also considered the role of design in community engagement and storytelling. The proposed questions do not aim to diminish the role of design in either circumstance but aim to discover how they can be used or better used to create a more convincing understanding from my point of view but also to create better relationships and learning.
My Proposal
A further reflection of previous projects has focused my attention on the location, language and history. I have previously explored the idea of identity and it is the purpose of this final project to explore these themes in closer detail. The aim will be to discuss the significance of Cornish history an language to explore the true identity of Cornwall and its people. This project aims to answer the question: What does it mean to be cornish?
Research has identified a small minority had identified themselves as being Cornish. in 2018 the population of Cornwall stood at 565,968. Of these, it is estimated that 83,499 consider themselves as being of cornish nationality.
Historically, the Cornish and English stem from different roots and, although the Cornish homeland is today administered as if it were a part of England, unlike Wales in 1536, it was never legally incorporated into England.
Cornwall is changing, more homes are being built and second homes are a huge commodity to those who can afford it. Cornish people are being priced out of their county. Having voted unanimously to leave the EU, Cornwall is at the very edge of a knife in terms of its economic stability. There are millions of pounds worth of investments throughout Cornwall from the EU, from the Eden project, the A30 to Callywith and Truro College. I am interested in what the future of Cornwall looks like. Similarly, Bodmin is under-investment from a range of projects that aims to build better connections with other towns through cycle paths and parks, from luxury hotels and more affordable homes. Bodmin is going through a stage of re-developments and at the heart of this can be found the Into-Bodmin project that aims to raise the profile of the town and community spirit.
In this time of growth and change, I started to think about the identity of Cornwall and Cornish people. In previous projects, I had explored the language and history of this county but thus far I have not explored its people. Who define themselves not as English or British but Cornish. A census identified around 7% of the British population had identified as Cornish by selecting other and writing the term Cornish. This goes some way to demonstrate my point that Cornwall, with its rich history, its language and its inherent sense of identity is being forced into a modern economy that threatens its roots.
I ask the question, What does it mean to be Cornish? What are the values, traditions and identifying characteristics of someone who is truly Cornish? It is argued that you are never truly Cornish, to be considered a local you must have lived in the county for a minimum of 5 years. Through a community engagement project, collaborating with Into-Bodmin I aim to explore the identity of Bodmin and the Cornish values. Initial research will include a series of interviews and surveys. From this, I propose in-depth interviews that will be shared as podcasts. These podcasts will aim to interview local people of all ages and backgrounds.
Research methodologies:
Initial research will explore the history and social culture, from this, I aim to identify a historical link between the viewpoint of cornish identity and its independence from the united kingdom. In addition to this, I believe local literature will support the further in-depth investigation. The use of local museums and archives will support this investigation. Initial contact with the Institute of Cornish studies has been made, from this, I aim to utilise their knowledge to further enhance my background research.
The contextual analysis will explore people responses to the question, What does it mean to be cornish? A questionnaire will be developed to identify key characteristics and importantly gather information of people. I aim to utilise this method of investigation to talk to people and listen to their stories. I believe that people are at the heart of this project and that to gain a better understanding of cornwall, its culture and history I need to explore stories.
Community engagement projects will aim to support my investigation through the archiving of images and stories. Working with into-Bodmin I aim to build a network of people that have strong links with the county and identify as being cornish. I also aim to connect with a mixture of generations to identify similar themes and characteristics of being Cornish.
References
What does it mean to be Cornish? (Cornwallinformation.co.uk)
Cornish identity: why Cornwall has always been a separate place (The Guardian)
The institute for cornish studies.
Is your identity given or created? (Marcus Lyon) (Ted Talk)
Identity in the Tamar Valley (CornishStory)
Bodmin Museum (website)
Office for national Statistics (website)
Pixels and Serifs. 