Kavee Perera

The goal of this installation was to give people a chance to connect with new people while participating in the creation of something. Between classes, students used the installation by folding the tabs to make words and pictures, often adding to or building on what their predecessors had done. For example, they would lift tabs to change words into new words, and letterforms into pictures.

Co-designed and facilitated a workshop where we led the first-year collaborative design students through the laser cutting qualification process at Monash. In order to solidify the learning, each student was given a shape to cut, which when completed, created a lamp. Each student was given a tea light, and when put together, the individual illuminated lasercut lamps created a collaborative city. To me, this was an example of mutually beneficial learning.

In order to identify the main issues and setbacks faced by students during their university life, a design research kit was developed using creative research methods. The activities which were sent out to students were designed to be engaging, and completing the kit helped them identify the main issues they faced and what support systems they utilised.

View full video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_P0rZoZEZI

The data gathered from my design research kit was developed into a poster. To summarise, my research found that the majority of issues revolved around the lack of support for students that may be marginalised (international, multicultural, indigenous peoples, etc), mental health, and employment opportunities. In regards to the support systems, it was discovered that the majority of respondents prefered reaching out to an actual person over a website, with the top choices being a teacher, parent, or partner.

The objective was to design a wearable that sheds light on a current issue. The wearable had to be made from recycled, salvaged, or natural materials. The design was a wearable that encourages social distancing while also reducing the risk of infection for the wearer. It is made 100% out of coconut leaves. It includes a woven leaf mask, protective glasses, and a headpiece that will poke anyone who gets too close. The full design process is on my university instagram account @kdes.ign