Theses and dissertations (Arts and Design)

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Connecting technology and sensory design : a collaborative approach to designing university learning environments in a digital age
(2018-11) Parker, Megan; Reynolds, Michelle C.; Gaede, Rolf
This study explores how technology-enhanced learning (TEL) environments may be designed to stimulate the human senses. The research examines how interior designers can improve the design of learning environments to integrate seamlessly with emerging technologies, focusing specifically on how to provide students with an embodied and improved learning experience. The research challenges the notion that a need exists to connect technology and sensory design. The aim was to discover how a collaborative design approach could be used to assist interior designers to overcome the challenges they face when accommodating technology and the senses in university learning environments. The study followed an action research approach, situated in the interpretative inquiry paradigm. The sample population was comprised of various professional specialists from South Africa and the United States of America. Online interviews, focus group discussions, reflection questionnaires and an academic research journal were used to gather data. The findings describe and illustrate the challenges which interior designers face when designing learning environments in the digital age. To connect technology and the senses effectively, interior designers need to find a balance between integrating technology, stimulating the senses and encouraging collaborative learning. The study makes a strong case for a collaborative design approach when designing TEL environments, as the wider range of knowledge and skills leads to more informed decisions.
The eco-bride : development of an environmentally-friendly bridal collection for a South African market
(2013-10-17) Schultz, Wendy Lynn; Kadwa, Farida; Pratt, Deirdre Denise
The Eco-Bride study is a practical product development research project in the fields of fashion, textiles, and sustainability. Currently it is considered fashionable to host an "eco-friendly" wedding, both because people are becoming more environmentally conscious with the prospect of global warming and also because the fashion industry, too, is attempting to reduce its impact on the environment. However, in spite of a growing trend in "eco-weddings", the bridal gown remains a conventional garment with a heavy carbon footprint. The intention of this study was thus to develop and produce a range of environmentally-friendly bridal gowns in order to create alignment between trendy eco-weddings and the bridal gowns worn to these functions. this was considered to fill a gap in the local market and to work toward educating both brides and industry as to a product offering which is less harmful to the environment. To this end, mixed methods action research was carried out within a constructivist worldview, firstly, to explore what might be construed as an environmentally-friendly bridal gown and secondly, to establish what would appeal to South African brides. The concepts of eco-friendly design models, sustainable fashion, celebrity and product fetish, customer behaviour and product development strategies were investigated in order to conceptualise, design and produce a collection of ten Eco-Bride-branded gowns for the South African market. It was hoped that the development of an environmentally-friendly bridal collection might assist in opening up the market to eco-fashion bridal wear. Further products of the research included instructional videos of the eco-friendly design-make process, which were intended to create awareness of the various eco-options in both the textile industry and bridal fashion market.
Social impact assessment : a case study of the Durban-based Clothing Bank
(2022-02) Naidoo, Keegan; Mchunu, Khaya; Pillay, Gnanam
This study asks the research question: How do corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives contribute to change in the lives of individuals who have graduated from The Clothing Bank based in Durban? Given the main research question, the purpose of this qualitative case study is to assess the social impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives by using the most significant change (Dart and Davis 2005) as an evaluation technique. The study is framed by Amartya Sen’s (1999) capability approach and uses and adapts its five instrumental freedoms as guiding domains to measure the impact of CSR initiatives. These identified five freedoms are social participation, economic well-being, social opportunities, access to knowledge and protective security. This study addresses issues of human development and social change by highlighting development relations between corporates in the clothing sector and community. The initiative between the Durban-based Clothing Bank project and its corporate retail partners is used as an example to achieve the aim of this study. The most significant change evaluation technique is used to collect data through a four-step process to elicit stories of significant change and most significant change story to evaluate social impact. The sampling strategy used is the non-probability, criterion sampling technique in which 10 individuals who have graduated from the TCB project are purposively selected. This study uses the thematic analysis method to analyse data. The findings from the study reveal that the joint willingness of the study participants, as beneficiaries of CSR initiatives together with the Durban-based Clothing Bank project and its corporate retail partners have the potential to contribute to the emergence of positive changes in the lives of the project beneficiaries. It is advised that corporate entities identify, assess, and manage the significant social impact that such entities have on community-based projects such as TCB project. It was established that this partnership encourages empowerment and the creation of sustainable livelihoods and communities.
University community engagement in Zimbabwe : an asset-based analysis
(2018) Museva, Loveness Makhosazana; Preece, Julia; Mukeredzi, Tabitha
This thesis is an investigation into the community engagement relationship between Zindowe Mberengwa community and the Midlands State University, drawing on the asset-based community development theory, supported by Heifetz’s concept of adaptive leadership and Nyerere’s concept of ujamaa. The nature of the study is centred on the relationship between the university and the community, focusing on the relationships of power, asset recognition, and collaboration during the decision making process. The region selected was the Zindowe village, under Chief Nyamondo, in Mberengwa South. The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which the engagement and relationship between the university and the community facilitates community ownership over decision-making and shared ownership of knowledge with a view to developing greater self-reliance and sustainable development in the Mberengwa community. This was a qualitative case study design, using the interpretive paradigm. The methods of data collection included documentary analysis and interviews with university staff. Community members were also interviewed using focus group discussions. Observations and a transect walk were undertaken with key participants in the community. The sample size was made up of 18 university staff members and 32 participants from the community. The total number of participants was 50. The study used the adaptive leadership, asset-based community development and ujamaa theories to analyse the findings. The findings suggest that the initial approach to the community was consultative but needs-based rather than asset-based. Nevertheless, the community gained new skills such as bee keeping and literacy. However, the university leadership did not follow the principles of adaptive leadership which emphasise ongoing dialogue and clarification of competing goals and values and collective ownership over decisions. There was a tendency for the university to own the project to the extent that the ujamaa principles of family-hood and community self-reliance were under threat during a disorganised phase of tensions where there was community withdrawal from activities. A significant, and unusual outcome of this disorganised phase was the decision by community members to take control by creating their own constitution and appointing a community coordinator to act as mediator between the university and community. This resulted in the community realising their own assets and working towards self-reliance and a more sustained and equal partnership with the university. Findings showed that there were number of challenges faced by the university and the community engagement process at the Midlands State University. These included limited communication because of a lack of community representation in the two major university committees which were responsible for the decision-making. Finally, it was evident from the findings that the university staff were overworked and they were not awarded an incentive for community engagement work which to them, came in as an extra load. There was a sense that the community’s indigenous knowledge was an asset to the university but it did not result in meaningful co-creation of knowledge that benefitted the community. The study recommended that there should be stakeholder inclusion in strategic committees between those who crafted the policies and those who were supposed to implement them; thus ensuring listening to the community voice which would then lead to a more trusting relationship and finally the successful shared ownership of the project. The study further suggested that the university should adhere to and implement policies consistently in order to minimise the tensions and misunderstandings and that the engagement process should encourage communities to realise their own assets from the outset. As a result, there is a need to have a more value driven university community engagement, which will enable critical thinking and embrace sustainable development; for example, universities should play a leading role in incubating industries within the communities by providing education and skills so that the communities can solve their own problems and build expertise on a larger scale at community level with a view to expanding their economic empowerment. Finally, the study also recommended that there is a need for the university to revisit the policy on university community engagement with particular attention to the lecturers’ teaching loads and rewards or incentives. A model is offered as a guideline for the community engagement process. In conclusion, it is important to note that the Midlands State University initiated this project in good faith with attention to the community’s needs. The phases of ‘forming’, ‘storming’ and ‘norming’ in many ways followed a normal growth process of group interaction. In spite of the challenges, the community did benefit in different ways as indicated by the women’s focus group when they said: “we are now able to pay fees for our children.” Any criticism of this project should therefore be taken in the spirit of critical inquiry with a view to improving the project.