Let's be Dost
This MFA thesis book is the culmination of two years of research and documentation in creating engaging experiences at the Dynamic Media Institute at MassArt.
My Role
Research, case studies, book design
Type
MFA Thesis
Year
2019 - 2021
Abstract
"I love those connections that make this big old world feels like a little village." ‒ Gina Bellman.
There is a sense of comfort in knowing that people have gone through something as we have. Knowing that you are not alone builds a sense of intimacy between people. We end up with a strong feeling of belonging and affiliation.
My work builds connections and forms communities through collecting and sharing stories, experiences, and memories that people are passionate about. I want to remind my users repeatedly that we are not alone. Our experiences are universal.
My work is inspired by my own experience of solitude and homesickness. These experiences taught me how important it is to our physical and mental health for a person to be connected socially. Dosts (friends) are what give us the motivation to keep going in the present.
One of my key strategies is reminiscing in my work. Research shows that thinking about the past helps people focus on the most important thing for a good life: family, close friends, community, and the rituals and traditions that help preserve a social and cultural fabric. This results in an urge to connect.
