Developing a relational design process : visually representing threads of storied knowing for making connections
Creators: name: Edward, Sieglinde Elke
Publisher: name: Southern Cross University
Year: 2021
Subjects: Connection
Contextual knowledge
Disconnect
Knowing
Stories
Values
Visual representations
Worldviews

description: This exegesis is a story all about the development of a practice-based process called ‘weaving-the-threads’ framed by Indigenous Knowledge. Through peoples’ shared stories, ‘weaving-the-threads’ provides an alternative way of bringing about shifts in understanding. Fundamentally, with relatedness being foundational to Indigenous Knowledges, the research was influenced by Indigenous methodologies and methods such as <em>yarning</em>, which determined the utilisation of an Indigenist paradigm. Along with contextual knowledge, the ‘re-seeing’ of different research elements from different angles, new connections within the layered research story emerged. The pattern of this movement was reflected in the way ‘weaving-the-threads’ design evolved and connections were made between people based on grounded practices.
description: Weaving-the-threads design was fundamentally shaped by my own ideas so, this exegesis explains the theories in relation to &lt;em&gt;how&lt;/em&gt; an emergent Relational Design process developed. This project looked at &lt;em&gt;why&lt;/em&gt; the process for making connections was of value, and the &lt;em&gt;how&lt;/em&gt; of making across-cultural connections between people possible was answered by practising the developing process. So, this research story was grounded in a hands-on way of ‘doing’ relational to why and how things were done, and what allowed weaving-the-threads to be developed. The qualitative data, illustrating knowledge from shared stories, shows &lt;em&gt;how&lt;/em&gt; co-creating within a protected space enables peoples’ knowing or contextual knowledge to emerge.
description: <em>Weaving-the-threads</em> design incorporates a framework called StoryMap, an adaptable Relational Design tool that enabled four StoryMap Designs (visual data) to be created through the layering of visual representations, the ‘tracks’ which were translations of distilled knowledge. StoryMap is like a ‘scaffold’ that the hand-drawn tracks were placed on; a knowledge ‘holding place’ for meaningful information from tracking shared personal stories. The StoryMaps are all visually different, but the practice of ‘<em>forming</em>’ was the same as visually representing peoples’ values and worldviews depended on group interaction. So, as tracks were ‘fixed’ in place multiple ‘truths’ sat side-by-side, ‘grounded’ and validated.
description: Ultimately, for people to make connections, for the StoryMaps to evolve, inclusive critically reflective conversations, and a collaborative hands-on way of doing things together were essential. So, the interweaving of peoples’ knowing, their values bound with memories, was key to weaving-the-threads development. At all stages each StoryMap was only useful if peoples knowing was reflected back; the illustration of connections between people, the unseen and the unheard was of significance. StoryMap can be likened to a bridge for connecting peoples’ values and differing worldviews through the sharing of stories that provide opportunities for shifts in understanding.