I’m Amina Noureen from Pakistan. I am currently a junior at Thammasat University, and this is my portfolio for my class GS241: Human Centred Design.

 

My portfolio is consisting of five projects and each project represents me in a unique way. My first project is about senses and language learning. In this project, we co-created an experiment using props to enhance learning experience engaging more than one sense at a time. During my childhood, I studied in a public school in Pakistan where the focus was on memorization. However, this experience has illustrated the ideology behind classrooms incorporating diverse learning techniques to be inclusive for people with different dominant learning sense.

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My second project is about perspective on failure. I started talking with stakeholders including students, parents, and experts about a local problem in Pakistan which is about depression students face when they do not get their desired goals and meet the expectations of their parents and society. I made a video interview of a parent talking about perspective on failure and how he raised his children to pave his way through failure in an open, supportive and communicative children-parent relationship. I sent the video prototype to our users and received feedback that further not only poked perspective change and the need for a supportive environment but also stimulated conversations and stories about a range of thought-provoking topics such as failure, struggles, self, parental and societal expectations, financial backgrounds, etc.

 

Being aware of consumer culture and supportive of minimalism, in my third project, I have created an experience to reflect on unused clothes. I assume that seeing them will awaken emotional empathy for fellow humans and the opportunity to serve them.

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Studying at SGS for last two and half years has shifted and inspired me to advocate for environmental protection. This is demonstrated through my fourth project which is about the practice of ritual of reducing plastic waste with mindfulness using own containers and reusable plastic bags.

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In my fifth and last project, I explored the emotion of confidence through dressing and learned about the influence of internal and external factors that can have an impact on one’s confidence. Although staying abroad for the last couple of years, I was not as aware of my own emotions affected by my dressing style and preference and I am surprised to learn and explore the impact of environment and self-perception on my confidence.

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I have practiced editing video and sketching as the skill builders to learn during this studio class and I have incorporated them in my designs. Being inexperienced in drawing, I changed my perspective about perfection to practicing and learning and I hope my designs communicate the rest with you. Thank you!