The following are the photovoice datasets presented by the 4 consenting participants who were present in the visual research group session on 22 Dec 2022. The participants responses to the 4 prompt questions are underneath each set of photos. These responses were collected during the visual research workshop as each participant presented their images. I informed them before the session of the questions they would be invited to respond to in the session.
Participant A / Main road crossing and junction in Margate
Participant A’s responses to the prompt questions;
1. Where did you collect your visual research?
On a busy road junction just around the corner from my house. There is a pedestrian crossing there also.
2. After sharing and reflecting on your research in the group today, what are are the quality of life issues you have begun to identify? (for the local community and / or nature) Who or what is most affected by the issue/s?
The detrimental effext on physical and mental health that comes from sitting in cars all the time, especially in traffic jams.
The detrimental effect of single-person car journeys on the environment.
The lack of cycle lanes/infrastructure, caused by the fact that not enough people cycle for this to become a social priority.
3. How did (do) you feel about being asked to visually explore / research your local area, as a way to start this Design Society Nature Intervention brief?
It was tough not to get too ahead of myself in terms of thinking of the concept, but I think it helped to visualise the form of the message, if not the message itself.
4. Do you have any initial ideas for how an intervention might respond to the quality of life issue you have identified? If so, please briefly share your initial idea/s.
I’d like to create some signage to encourage people to switch their car for a bike (even if only for short journeys), and also decorate my bike with a similar message to show that it’s more than just a message!
Participant B / Margate Main Sands beach
Participant B’s responses to the prompt questions;
1. Where did you collect your visual research?
On the Margate Main Sands beach.
2. After sharing and reflecting on your research in the group today, what are are the quality of life issues you have begun to identify? (for the local community and / or nature) Who or what is most affected by the issue/s?
Rising sea levels – caused by climate change, as indicated by sea wall in front of the Turner Contemporary.
Lack of access for local artists to show their work publicly in Margate.
3. How did (do) you feel about being asked to visually explore / research your local area, as a way to start this Design Society Nature Intervention brief?
Bringing artwork into the beach to take some of the photos, helped to visualise the idea I had for a sea wall exhibition.
4. Do you have any initial ideas for how an intervention might respond to the quality of life issue you have identified? If so, please briefly share your initial idea/s.
To put on a temporary open air exhibition, on the sea wall – I need to decide if I will give the artists a unifying theme, like climate change. This would link to the sea wall, as the exhibition space well.
Participant C / Canterbury University Campus
Participant C’s responses to the prompt questions;
1. Where did you collect your visual research?
Canterbury University Campus, where I work. I took photos of the open spaces and inside the buildings, including the notice boards and signs.
2. After sharing and reflecting on your research in the group today, what are are the quality of life issues you have begun to identify? (for the local community and / or nature) Who or what is most affected by the issue/s?
There are quite a few…
Personal safety for students, especially women, on the campus and in general.
Mental health issues, more sustainable food systems (plant based), access to and use of the open spaces on campus.
3. How did (do) you feel about being asked to visually explore / research your local area, as a way to start this Design Society Nature Intervention brief?
The photos did help me find possible issues. . especially photos of the notice boards.
4. Do you have any initial ideas for how an intervention might respond to the quality of life issue you have identified? If so, please briefly share your initial idea/s.
The covered, lit, open air seating space, that was installed during Covid, is a focal point that could be a location for my intervention.