After a week of reading, taking notes, asking questions and mind mapping, I came up with the following Thesis Proposal. I found shaping my ideas using the Problem-Question-Purpose framework very helpful.
Problem: Design for Social Change aims at improving a current social or environmental problem. Understanding the problem in its complexity usually requires involving the stakeholders directly into the process. The communication with and among the stakeholders could be multifarious and laden with personal or organizational interests. However, the success of the project depends primarily on their alignment of goals and a common vision of what success should look like.
Question: How can visual communication/ public art help a community discover, define and communicate a desired state of change or goal that is relevant for the whole and transcends personal or institutional interests?
Purpose: The purpose of my thesis is to examine different strategies, processes and outcomes to understand how visual communication/ public art can help bring a community together around a shared goal. I will utilize the 400lb Baby Project to study the tangible and intangible factors that come into play, what roles public art/ visual communication can play and the potential it can have for bringing a positive change on the community.
I would love to hear your feedback. Thank you!