Memoirs for the Future, Imaginations of the Past: Crafting Samplers for Intent and Commitment

Research through Design is centered on making things, services and systems as a way to construct knowledge. At the same time, the act of making happens behind-the-scenes, often overlooked, outsourced or rushed through. We would like to propose a one-day workshop of making at DIS. Specifically, we propose the making of samplers as a site for constructing a shared space to contemplate the interplay of memory and imagination in design research, inspired by traditional needlework samplers as well as modern subversive stitchwork [24]. By making together, we aim to take time to consider our personal and collective commitments and stance within and outside our roles as design researchers.