Trust the Process: An Ethnography of the Role of Writing in Design
Madison Sabatelli
MFA Design Research and Development, 2020
Thesis Abstract:
The ways thoughts are externalized is a difficult one met with many choices, first and foremost being the mode in which an idea is conveyed. While most fields of design are often defined by visuals such as renderings, models, and sketches, my research sparks an investigative discussion on how designers use various modalities to effectively communicate a concept. By reflecting on a compilation of design practices with particular interest in the role of writing, my work aims to examine the modes in which we communicate design to crystallize design ideas, impart additional details, and provide a more effective conversation with viewers. This exhibition provides examples from the sketchbooks, desks, and devices of graduate students serve to create a corpus that references the many ways in which words, sketches, and other modalities aid in the design process.
Madison Sabatelli has always had a passion for both writing and design. Her academic and research interests lie in examining the relationship between these two creative mediums within various design disciplines. Madison has a BFA in Interior Design from Miami University, certification in Interior Design (NCIDQ), and over three years of professional experience. She will graduate in August 2020 with an MFA in Design Research and Development Program.
More of Madison’s work can be found at tinyurl.com/Sabatelli-portfolio
