Type Year
Master's Project 2022 - 2024
Institution
Universitetet i Bergen, KMD
A discourse-through-design project explores how media might affect individuals’ body perception and purchase intentions. It examines the complex interplay between how we behave, how we see our bodies, what we buy for our bodies, and what thoughts and emotions we hold about them.
Overview
In a world characterized by an image-driven culture and an ever-evolving definition of beauty, the concept of body image has risen to the forefront of societal discussions. It seems that our perceptions of our physical selves extend beyond what we see in the mirror and deeply affect the core of our being.
Users on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok share and are exposed to highly edited and idealized images. This has created a world where beauty standards are set by filters and digital enhancements, often leading to an unrealistic perception of reality. However, the impact of social media doesn’t stop here; the intensity of ever-changing trends and the prevalence of sponsored content can lead those already concerned about their bodies to believe that the advertised products are the solutions they seek. What’s even more troubling is that while the popularity of these products rapidly fades away, these short-term trends push people to shop even more, often beyond their actual needs.
As part of this master’s project, a written thesis with a quantitative survey, a 2D animated film, and an interactive exhibition were prepared.
Soup: The Master of Design 2024 Exhibition highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives, much like how different ingredients come together to create something greater as a whole.
The exhibition offered visitors a comprehensive view of the creative journey behind Body, Self and I, presenting a curated selection of process materials, including short GIFs, information cards, character development sketches, storyboard sequences, the script, the final animation, and a personal poem, to reveal the project’s conceptual and visual evolution.
To provide insight into the emotional landscape of body dissatisfaction, a short poem was included, emphasizing the intimate and introspective nature of the theme. Designed as an inward spiral to symbolize a journey of self-reflection, the poem was laser-cut onto black vinyl with a diameter of 120 cm, serving as both a visual and conceptual anchor within the exhibition.
An interactive board invited participants to engage more directly with the work by writing short letters to their own bodies, fostering reflection on personal relationships with physical identity.
