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Monash Art, Design and Architecture Student Exhibition 2022

Savanah Murtough

Hi! Savanah here. Design to me is a facilitator for discussion. Whether I’m designing for motion, print, illustration, a campaign or record cover, I strive to discuss something or spark discussion. I enjoy designing with both a digital and analogue approach, and am continuously exploring new ways of making. I’m passionate about human-centred experience regarding mental health, self-development and the role of music in our lives. Still Human is a campaign that demonstrates this passion; with the intent to reconnect society and reintegrating ex-criminals. Still Human understands that everyone is... still human in the process of self-development and building a more empathetic society.

Outstanding Project

Still Human - Design Research Kit

Identify yourself. Decide your punishment. Plead for your life. Now consider someone else’s life. The Still Human campaign began with research into how society perceives and sympathises with inmates. Actively engaging participants, this design research kit asked people to put themselves in the shoes of an imprisoned person, through its design as a criminal profile and its content identifying what a deserving prison life looks like, how they would like to be viewed and treated.

Still Human - Reseach Poster

This poster visually depicts the key finding from my research regarding perception of inmates; that they are still human. The very first thing the research kit asked was for people to draw themselves as if taking their mug shot, every participant simply drew a human. In this I found the core of my campaign and set up the foundation of what I wanted to discuss. Through collaging findings from my research to create this poster I also developed the humanistic aesthetic for my campaign.

Hello I am , Still Human

Hello I am, is the core program within the Still Human campaign that bridges society and ex-criminals, encouraging connection and acceptance. Through a double-sided postcard format ex-criminals have the opportunity to tell society who they are. Someone from community has the opportunity to respond and connect on the other side of a card, with the intent of growing themselves and building sympathy and support for others.

Still Human, building up comfort and confidence in re-entering society

Intended to be used by ex-criminals, the ‘Still Human, building up comfort and confidence in re-entering society’ card pack contains prompts that revert back to the basics of social skills. Setting small social goals for individuals that have been removed from normal human interaction, aims to take an achievable step towards feeling accepted.

Still Human - Packaging design

The Still Human campaign relies on the human presence; a willingness to identify one’s weakness’, points for growth and be open to discussing confronting topics. In the packaging design for the Still Human card packs I intended to discuss the fingerprint. Carrying a pre-defined notion of criminal activity, the aim of situating fingerprints in a full grasp around the box alongside the words ‘still human’ intends to rehumanise.

Still Human, breaking down fear and judgement against ex-criminals

Intended to be used by participating ‘mentors’ of the Hello I am program and general members of society, the ‘Still Human, breaking down fears and judgement against ex-criminals’ discussion card pack is intended to facilitate self-reflection or a discussion amongst groups of people, bring pre-conceived judgement to the table for the potential to be discussed, broken down and reflected upon for a very human step toward becoming a more accepting individual.

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