Within my practice I have been focusing on the supposed ‘purpose’ of objects that make up our environment. This purpose I define as the point at which the use of the object and the function of an object intersect. Although use and function are interrelated, they are not necessarily the same thing. Juhani Pallasmaa stated that it is the tactile sense that connects us with time and tradition that make up the history of purpose. Reliance on sight within design creates a distance between the maker and the user and the object, therefore I want to focus more on the haptic aspects of design to bridge those gaps. One way I express this is by making use of a material that lends itself to a tactile experience, such as the textile wool felt. Felt also lends itself to the idea of time, in terms of its purposes as a traditional handcrafted material. I strive for a tactile approach both in my process and in my final piece. As much as I will use the computer to work designs out digitally or create 3d models, I never let that process take the place of physically designing. The awareness of craft came to me as I was growing up in South Africa. The mixture between Western and African cultures, whether positive or negative, is always present. I think that by embracing both in terms of design, a society can be inclusive rather than exclusive. As I move onward, I want to create pieces that show a link between craft and design by use of materiality and method. Also, I will use materials that evoke a tactile experience while at the same time elicit a story. And so, these objects will be functional but also useful and therefore have a purpose. Join the Facebook Event. Categories All Student Profile