RSA Brief - Brainstorming the design problem

The aim of this mind mapping session was to determine what were the required elements that would make my design solution successful. In addition, I wanted to look at existing systems of moderation. After extensive mapping, the following are what were considered to be the key components (and issues) that would lead to a successful solution:

1: Behavioral change: Making bullying an undesirable/'uncool' behavior among young people

Teenagers hate being told what to do. Lecturing them on how to (or how not to) behave on the internet will not constitute a successful solution. Therefore, the core of this campaign is to encourage the teens themselves to moderate against bullying. To do this, bullying must first be established as the ultimate 'no-no' amongst young people. Bullying must become something that is frowned upon amongst peers. Essentially, while watched over from a distance by parents and teachers, this is a campaign that is driven by the young people themselves.

This behavioural change campaign needs to be 'non-preachy' and communicate with young people through a familiar and non-threatening voice. Therefore, the use of social media would be ideal as a vehicle for the message. A clever viral campaign or Facebook app (or a combination) could deliver the message directly to a targeted age group/demograph in a way that could influence behaviour and attitudes.

2: Transparency: Your action has consequences

One of the key differences between online and 'conventional' bullying and cyber bullying is the sense of 'anonymity' of the online environment. People can hide behind false usernames, create multiple accounts and, in general, feel that their actions have no repercussions in the 'real' world. Abusive private messages, emails and text messages can be sent privately to the victim, making it near impossible for parents to detect them until the damage has already been done. In social media, there is little or no transparency.

In order to combat cyber bullying, this must change. Online activities must have real world consequences. If bullying is taking place online, then it must be treated with the same level of seriousness as conventional bullying. This could mean offenders being named and shamed, or parents being notified when their child is involved in an online incident. This is discussed in more detail in the next section, Moderation using technology.

3: Moderation using technology





















Teens view their Facebook account, mobile phone and email as an extremely personal space where they can interact with their friends. As such, in keeping with the importance of keeping the young people positive about the campaign, the key word here is respect. If a moderation method is introduced, it must be in conjunction with the young person

While brainstorming this, I also looked at the existing online moderation systems for inspiration. Ebay is one that works particularly well because it is moderated by the community itself (through its use of the 'Feedback' system). If you have Negative
Feedback', then no-one will buy anything from you. It is this sort of 'community moderation' that needs to at the core of the solution.

Possible moderation using technology solutions could include:

• Creating a system that links online and offline where unacceptable behaviour online has consequences in the 'real' world. For example, in order to have a Facebook account, an under-18 needs to have real verification from a parent (who would provide contact details). Much like in a school environment, if a child 'misbehaves' and that is flagged by a member of the community, the parents are notified with a copy of the entire thread or comments, messages, etc.


• A system akin to a virus scanner that alerts parents when certain keywords/phrases are triggered on all social media, email and SMS.


• A rating system (manual or automatic) of comments and messages posted.


• Name and shaming offenders on the website.


• Creating a 'black-list' of offenders, banning from them all social media for a certain amount of time.

4: Mentoring and student moderation system: Young people watching out for each other

Creating a 'student monitoring and mentoring system' could be another key component to the campaign. Student could become 'moderators' who would watch their classmates social media for the tell-tale signs of bullying. These positions of moderators should be considered highly desirable and 'cool', and incentives should be offered.

In addition to this, the campaign would promote a general sense of 'young people looking out for each other' through it's promotional mediums.

In summary:

A nice parcel from Ireland

Hot off the press! My copy of the new Hogan album FINALLY arrived in the post this week! This was an illustration job I was working a couple of months ago. Really happy with the print finish, especially that nice flourescent green spot colour on the disk.

Check out the band (they rock!): www.myspace.com/hoganmark

RSA Brief - Proposed questions for interview with teachers

The next step of my research process is to interview teachers in local schools to get a broader understanding of bullying in schools. This interview is part of a wider series of interviews which will include teachers, anti-bullying organisations and parents.

The below questions are just an outline of the interview. It is not intended that every question will be asked; instead they are stating points to stimulate conversation and get  a (hopefully) honest reaction.

One possible issue with interviewing teachers is that they will not wish their school to be seen in a bad light. No school wants to admit that they have a bullying problem. Therefore, the teacher survey will mainly focus on more general issues about bullying and it's effects rather then trying get specific figures of incidents of bullying in their school.

A PDF of the proposed interview questions can be downloaded here.

The 'Older and Bolder' viral campaign

While trawling through my News Feed on Facebook yesterday, I came across a very moving campaign called 'Older and Bolder'. Designed by the Irish agency Red Dog, the campaign centres around a powerful viral video piece (shown above) and it's central aim is to protect the Irish State Pension.

The video piece is quite simple but very moving. On reflection, this viral style of campaign may be something to consider for (at least part of) my RSA project brief on cyber bullying. Using a viral campaign would be speaking to young people in their own language, ie- via social media, and as such, they may pay more attention to it.

Check out the 'Older and Bolder' campaign here.

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IDI Graduate Awards Exhibition 2010

Last week I attended the opening of the IDI Graduate Awards Exhibition, Wandesford Quay Gallery, Cork on Tuesday 2nd November. I was delighted and flattered to receive the IDI Graduate award for winning the 'New Media' category. It was a fantastic exhibition and many thanks to Rose, Gwen and Derek at the IDI for organising the event. I even managed to have a whole room dedicated to my video installation piece for Shh!

The exhibition runs until 7th November in Cork and then moves to Glasnevin Museum Gallery in Dublin from 2nd December until 2nd February.

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IDI Awards, City Hall, Dublin

Getting presented with the award for winning 'New Media' category award at City Hall in Dublin on 28th October. I was very tired and sweaty at this point after flying over straight from London.

RSA project: Rewritten brief/ proposition

Background

Cyber-bullying is on the rise. It is an issue that is rapidly becoming prevalent amongst pre-teens and teens alike. What can start as harmless 'slagging', cyber-bullying can escalate into a very serious issue for the victim. In some cases (such as Phoebe Prince, Boston), it has led to what would have be an otherwise happy teenager, taking their own life.

Perhaps the most frightening part is that unlike ‘conventional’ bullying, there is no escape. Modern technology means that the bullying is literally in your bedroom, classroom and in your pocket… there is no getting away from it.

There are many layers to bullying, and indeed, therefore, to cyber bullying. Bullies themselves are often also previous victims so the issue is more complicated then simply 'good guy / bad guy'.

Context and client

Bullying UK, is the UK's leading anti-bullying charity. In the last eight years the charity's website has become the number one resource for people using search engines like Google, MSN and Yahoo to find reliable information on a variety of bullying issues.

Bullying UK are looking for a unique and innovative way to use digital technology to combat cyber-bullying. In essence, they want to use the technology that is used to cause cyber bullying, to combat it. This will take the form of an intensive promotional campaign to launch the product/service, along with product/service itself.

Requirements

1. An innovative, cross-media use of digital technology to combat cyber bullying. This could be a website, smartphone app, installations, short film(s) or a combination of all of the above.


2. A name and identity for the campaign.


3. Design a range of material and solutions to show how the campaign might be promoted.

Target audience

The target audience is not only the victim, but the bully, parents, teachers and friends. The target age group is 10-17.

Summary of proposition

Design a means to make cyber bullying undesirable and intolerable amongst young people and their peers. Use a combination of incentives, monitoring, community action and alert mechanisms to promote positive behaviour. Ideally, the problem should be tackled BEFORE it starts.

RSA Brief: Update on tasks

The following post is an update on the status of key issues/research required for the RSA brief, 'Conflict Resolution', as set out in my previous post. This is largely a post that simply documents the secondary research undertaken, along with the plan for the primary research. It is not intended as a critical analysis of the material.

Primary research status

1. Survey of parents: Survey to be written and parents contacted


2. Survey of teens: Survey to be written and parents contacted


3. Interview with a teacher: Survey to be written and parents contacted

Desktop/secondary research status

1. High profile case studies:
   - The Phoebe Prince case in South Hadley, Boston
   - The Lori Drew 'Myspace Murder'
   
   


2. Bodies that deal with cyber bullying in the UK:
   - National Bullying Helpline
   - Anti Bullying Week
   - Teacher Net
   - Bullying.co.uk
   - Safe (Met police service on bullying)
   
   


3. BBC documentaries on cyber-bullying':
   - Cyber Bullying: A Mother's Story
   - Watching the Watchdog
   
   


4. Policies of Google, Facebook and other social networking websites:
   - Official Google policy
   - Official Facebook policy (parents)
   - Official Facebook policy (teens)
   - Criticism of their policies
   
   


5. Existing cyber bullying prevention software:
   - Cyber mentors
   - Cyber Mentors web-browser for Mozilla
   - Cyber Bullying Alert

Framing the context of my project and user scenario
In addition to the researching, the context of the brief needed to be out into context.

1. Who is the target audience/end user?
   To help in tackling cyber-bullying, should the campaign target the victim, the bully, or both? As bullying in general is a complex issue for all parties involved, I feel that it should target both the bully and the victim (including both parties parents and teachers).


2. Rewrite a brief as if it was a brief from a client, outlining the requirements and aims of the project. In progress


3. Once context of the project is established and brief rewritten, then design a user scenario to help begin visualising possible solutions. In progress

Design for Business- naming my creative business

Prior to coming up with an appropriate name for my creative business, firstly the aims and values of the business must be established. What are the core values of the company and what way should it be perceived by the public?

In response to this, the following adjectives were complied to synopsis the desired company image:

• Young


• Innovative


• Experimental


• Cutting edge


• High-end


• Clever


• Lean/ Cost efficient


• Reliable


• Trustworthy


• A breath of fresh air

Following a brainstorming session, the following shortlist of names was established. The aim was to keep the name short and snappy, to evoke the feeling of immediacy and a sense of efficiency.

1. spark!


2. fresh


3. ignition


4. engage


5. raw


6. zest


7. evoke


8. immerse


9. breathe


10. fresh


11. úr (Gaelic for 'fresh')


12. x

This list was further narrowed down to three options:

1. úr
   Short and intriguing,  this Gaelic translation of 'fresh' is a name that could work well visually as well as verbally. However, the fada may lead to confusion for non-Irish speakers.


2. zest
   Again, a short and snappy name that evokes energy and youth. Downsides are that this name may come across as inexperienced.


3. x
   Simply a single letter, this name evokes curiosity and ambiguity. What is 'x'? What is the variable that 'x' stands for? However, the ambiguity could come across as pretentious.

Analysis of RSA Brief mind mapping

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Following extensive mind mapping for my chosen RSA brief, 'Conflict Resolution', I decided to choose the topic 'Cyber Bullying' for my brief. The issue is one that is rising rapidly amongst teens and is something that is becoming a real issue for parents, teachers and young people alike. Perhaps the most frightening part is that unlike 'conventional' bullying, there is no escape. Modern technology means that the bullying is literally in your bedroom, classroom and in your pocket… there is no getting away from it. In the worst of cases, it has led to young people taking their own lives.

Issues/questions which arose from the mind mapping process

1. How prevalent is Cyber Bullying, both globally and in the UK? What are the figures, or, are they even known?


2. Who are the parties involved? ie- The parents, the victim, the bully, the technology


3. Are parent aware of cyber bullying? What are their attitudes towards it?


4. Should the technology providers bear some of the responsibility that their respective platform is moderated when minors are involved?


5. Where is the line drawn between harmless 'slagging' and bullying?


6. What is the link between virtual and 'offline' bullying?

Primary research required

1. A case study (interview, discussion, etc.) of an individual that has been affected in some way by cyber bullying. It could be a parent, victim, bully, etc.


2. Perform a survey of parents to gauge their awareness of the issue


3. Perform a survey of teens to see what they consider cyber bullying to be.


4. Interview a teacher to try and assertion how prevent cyber bullying is in their respective school.

Desktop/secondary research required

1. Research the official websites on bullying such as http://www.bullying.co.uk to get an overview of cyber bullying. Also, these websites will be able to provide the official figures.


2. BBC have down a number of features on cyber bullying that provide a useful insight.


3. What are the policies of Google, Facebook, etc. on bullying over the web. What have they done about it? Look at their official policies (available on their respective websites) and contact them for any further information/statements as required.


4. There are a number of new software products available for parents that tackle cyber bullying (such as www.cyberbullyalert.com). Look at the effectiveness of these products and investigate if a better solution is possible. Fo example, these products are desktop based, they do not tackle cyber bullying via mobile technology.

Framing the context of my project and user scenario

1. Who is the target audience/end user?


2. Rewrite a brief as if it was a brief from a client, outlining the requirements and aims of the project.


3. Once context of the project is established and brief rewritten, then design a user scenario to help begin visualising possible solutions.

The Luxury of Graphic Design for Graphic Designers

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Touching on the subject of information design once again, I thought I'd mention another designer working in that area, Peter Crnokrak of The Luxury of Protest.

In many ways, Crnokrak's work is at the opposite end of information design to David McCandless (whose work was mentioned in my previous post). Considering the Modernist, minimal style of Crnokrak's work, it could be suggested that his work is designed by a graphic designer for a graphic designer. Crnokrak does not use pictorials, colour or any of the other attributes found in information design geared toward the general public. As such, the work could be seen as a little more 'high brow' than that of McCandless. However, given the increased complexity of the work, lack of colour or pictorials (all commonplace in McCandless' work), it certainly does not have the same ease of comprehension. In many ways, it is purely form over function.

In saying all this, it is not the intention to criticize overly Crnokrak's work. All of the above attributes, while can mean a more challange for the reader to understand the information, also means that the work of Crnokrak is visually stunning. The lack of pictorials lead to the use of striking geometric forms. Beautiful, minimalist typography adorns the work, with highly contrasting 6pt type set against 120pt headlines. Perhaps the 6pt type is indeed difficult to read, and the complex shapes may require you to study the each piece like a treasure map in order to comprehend it, but from the perspective of a graphic designer, they are visually beautiful works.

Some very beautiful information

[caption id="attachment_52" align="alignnone" width="620" caption="When Sea Levels Attack"][/caption]

Recently, while working on an information mapping project, I came across the London based designer David McCandless and his fantastic data visualisation. McCandless runs the website Information is Beautiful and regularly contributes information design to The Guardian along with publishing books on the subject.

McCandless approaches information design in a practical, easy to understand way. He has the unique ability of taking the most complicated concept or intangible idea and turning it into an easy to understand visual representation. Unlike some information design which is more difficult to decipher then a clue in a Dan Brown novel, his work is easy to understand, clean and minimal. And herein lies the beauty of it: McCandless' work allows the reader to instantly understand a complex topic or issue at a glance, often without even having to refer to a legend. In his own words, information design is a way of "squeezing an enormous amount of data into a small space".

Interestingly, McCandless' background is not is design, but in journalism. He never studied design or art of any kind and has only been working as a designer since 2008.  Maybe this background is partly the reason for the effectiveness of his work. McCandless does not 'over-design' the visualisations, or try to make them complicated or overly 'pretty'. Instead, his work is invisible, allowing the information, rather then the design, to be the focus of the work. After all, it is he himself who says 'information is beautiful'.

Hello world!

Just checking in with my first post!