Thirteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

My thesis research focused on a study carried out with the collaboration of different realities on Roman territory, that came up with a collection of sculptures made in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing process, depicting the three-dimensional reworkings of drawings made by refugee children in Italy. These intelligent sculptures bring with them, their personal and fantastic story, told by their little creators. Thanks to radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags implanted in the structure itself, those creations give the possibility of being followed and found through the smartphones of the same people who decide to host such artifacts in their homes. The goal is to create an emotional cohabitation with the person who no longer receives a negative and demeaning message from refugees or people who speak for them. The little refugee, who is most afraid and misunderstood, no longer asks for help, although he may desperately need it, but he gives the host population a new carrier for awareness and compassion. A story that gives its owner a secret shared with him and him only, which indirectly approaches the guest through this “mediator”. Through the study of collective intelligences, the manipulation of learning models, the deconstruction of childish drawings, 3D modeling and prototyping techniques, Imagine Me, is proposed as a new tone of voice, a different vector of sensibilization for those who may need help and who need to understand the importance of his help.