Concept and Research
Research is crucial, both in academia as well as in the industry - a good artwork or design doesn't come from nowhere. I love to research: experiencing, observing, reading, watching, listening... inspirations come from everywhere. I especially like to work with phenomenology - my personal experiences and observations - relating to psychology and sociology. Of course, it is also crucial to research and to get to know the audience: their interests, style and trends, and to immerse into their community, to become one of them...
I have a MA in Media: Culture and Practice, and a BA in Culture and Media Studies (both from the University of the West of England). Both courses developed my research skills.
I have developed the ideas and researched the concept of five of my own major projects. I have also conducted a range of research for other projects, which included research in concept, aesthetics and audience. The outcomes of my research are both practice-based projects and written essays.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | Phenomenology and Media Research for 'Who Are You? (2011) 'Who Are You?' was inspired by my personal experience of meeting some people, making a relationship with them, and discovering that they are not exactly what they claimed to be. I conducted phenomenological research, basing on my own personal experience of dealing with the subjects, and interviewing people with similar experience. I supported my observations with psychological and sociological literature. Based on my analysis, I recreated the experience. The process took me 9 months. In creating the choreography of the characters of 'Who Are You?' I was inspired by body language of my subjects, which I observed and analysed. Creating the narrative and the installation of 'Who Are You?' I was exploring how the relations between video, dance, music, architecture and the viewer's body determine the experience and shape the meaning. The outcomes of my research was an interactive video installation, recreating the experience, as well as collection of written reports, numerous talks and presentations, and an evaluation essay. |
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | Research in Interactivity for Pumpkin TV (2010) I was asked by Pumpkin TV, a Bristol-based video company providing educational resources, to research the usage and need for interactive resources in schools, and to design one of my own. I spent a month on testing and analysing various interactive resources available, observing pupils using them, and interviewing teachers. I came up with an idea of a CD-based version of an Alternate Reality Game, where the pupil, as a journalist, is asked to browse maps and information, watch videos, solve puzzles and report back to a boss. The Aiming for Gold' game could be played in classrooms or at home, both in groups or individually. The resource also involved a detailed index and descriptions for teachers. 'Aiming for Gold' was nominated for the Bett Awards 2011 for teaching and learning resources. |
 | Research in Aesthetics for 'Happiness' (2010) I was in charge of the user interface design for an Alternate Reality Game related to human trafficking, aimed at teenagers. I needed to create a style that would reflect the horrible stories of the trafficked girls, but would be accessible and encouraging for school children. I conducted research within the girls' stories, as well as within programmes aimed at the age group. I came out with surreal, creepy but mysterious, and aesthetically beautiful design for the website. |
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | Audience Research in '7 Matching Sins' (2010) The goal of '7 Matching Sins' was to examine the power of public games and pervasive media art. In collaboration with another producer I created a domino set of matchboxes, displayed it in public places, and observed how the audience interacts with it. The outcome gave us an overview how the narrative and the meaning changes depending on the space and the level of awareness of the viewer. The research was important in my further development of public games and pervasive media art designs. |
 | Dream Diary in 'Interactive Dreams' (2009) To create 'Interactive Dreams' I was inspired with actual dreams. I kept my dream diary for a year, and analysed my own dreams and the aesthetics of them. I also asked other people for their dreams. My dream research was supported with Freudian dream theory. To create the structure and the installation, I conducted research in interactive screen media. The outcome of my research was an interactive video installation. |
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | Journalism Research (2009) Working for magazines and a newspaper, I was responsible for providing topics and writing articles on various subjects, including fashion, cooking, travelling, housing and art. In my journalist research, I conducted numerous interviews, visited sites, tested artefacts, observed or read about my subjects. I was updated with current trends and events. Apart from the subject itself, I had to relate to what style and mood the subject should be presented on a newspaper page. The outcome were numerous published articles and editorials. |
 | Academic Research and Writing I'm also an author of numerous articles, reviews, reports and essays. I also gave numerous talks and presentations. I write a blog, 'Being a New Media Artist...', which analyses various interactive media works or performances. I have written an essay on aesthetics of Alternate Reality Games: 'How the Aesthetics of Alternate Reality Games provide Immersive Experiences' My BA dissertation focuses on new trends of fashion advertising, presenting sexual abuse or deformed bodies: 'Disgusting Ad or a Piece of Art?' |
 | Research of the Roles of Women (2007) In 'Today's Woman', I was inspired in different roles that a woman plays in the current world. Women today are career-makers, mothers, lovers, beauties and wives. With their emancipation women gave themselves more tasks, now not only they look after the house, but also make a career. This image is supported by the media. In my research, I observed the society and analysed the role of woman today. i analysed media material and supported my research with sociological literature. Consequently, I created a collection of photographs and a sculpture. |
