pratt mfa | thesis

The structures and dynamics surrounding the family influence much of how we all lead our daily lives. With this research and study through design, the goal was to discover what makes a family and why, both in real life and in design. By exploring the topic through methodologies relating to family dynamics — merging, reshaping, and metamorphosis — this thesis aims to offer an alternative for what a family should be, into what a family can be by embracing the dynamics that come with it.

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family as a structure

Check out a PDF of the full thesis book here.

family through form

Much of the research process through this thesis revolved around exploring the concept of family through different forms. The first part of the experimentation focused on depicting a family through paper forms. The analysis of family through form continued using those first paper forms as a base to analyze family when those same forms are taken apart and explored through 2D forms. The final exploration focused more closely on type, which is something that is already considered by many to be a kind of family within design.

contemporary type families

As an introduction to the final capstone project, different type faces were designed to begin to explore what could be a more accurate representation of contemporary families through type forms. These type faces were designed based on adjectives that could be used to describe the different personality types and family structures and dynamics that can be seen throughout today’s society.

capstone

As a final exploration for the capstone project, the typefaces previously designed were used in an attempt to simulate what a family structure might look like today. These gifs were designed in order to represent that various changes and interactions that occur within a family structure due to the constant evolution of contemporary society. The first two gifs shown try to capture that idea using statements relating to family. And the last gif, which is the final capstone projects, attempts to capture the interactions and changes within a family structure trying to show different personalities through each name.