WOII | Week 1 Intro and phenomenology
Today’s session on phenomenology introduced a way of thinking that shifted my focus from objective analysis to lived experience. Instead of viewing art and design as some fixed objects with singular meanings, the lecture emphasised on how perception shapes reality. This idea challenged the assumption that design can be experienced in the same way by everyone, highlighting how interpretation is influenced by individual context and consciousness.
A key takeaway from the session was the role of perception, memory, and imagination in shaping experience. During the activity, I chose to go outdoors to take photographs instead of drawing, as I realised that many of these concepts already exist in our everyday environment but often go unnoticed. Interpreting abstract ideas such as time or shadows pushed me to slow down and pay closer attention to light, movement, and change around me, rather than relying on literal representations. Memory influenced how I framed certain moments, as past experiences affected what I found meaningful, while imagination allowed me to see beyond what was immediately visible in the photograph. Through this process, I became more aware that even minimal or subtle photographic choices such as composition, timing, or the direction of light can communicate strong experiential meanings and emotions.
The concept of embodiment was also important. How I moved, observed, and physically engaged with my surroundings affected how I noticed light, space, and form. This made me more aware that design is not only visual but also physical and sensory. Emotion and desire further influenced my creative decisions, as certain images felt more engaging or meaningful based on emotional response rather than logic.
Finally, the session highlighted the social and language aspects of phenomenology. Different people bring different interpretations to the same work, shaped by culture and shared visual language. In relation to my design training, phenomenology encourages a more human centred and empathetic approach, reminding me to design experiences that consider how people see, feel, and remember.
Reference:
Matharu, Arshdeep. “Study the Masters: Fan Ho — Part One: Approaching Shadow.” Medium, 10 Mar. 2018, medium.com/@arshdeep.nz/study-the-masters-fan-ho-part-one-approaching-shadow-f2c933bfb120.