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VigiLens: Mapping your digital security
Katharine
An exploration into the realms of data privacy, the envisioned mobile platform stands as a testament to the potential for design innovation to promote meaningful change. Designed to foster privacy awareness and enhance transparency in the realm of digital products, the prototype comprises innovative features such as a dynamic privacy score, real-time insights into privacy metrics, and a curated repository of digital services graded according to their privacy standards.
It seeks to transcend its role as a mere tool and instead strives to act as a catalyst for a profound cultural transformation. This transformation entails empowering users, holding organizations responsible, and fostering a collective societal commitment to privacy. VigiLens establishes the foundation for a future in which digital interactions are characterized by openness, confidence, and personal control.
Katharine
Hi, I'm Katharine. I'm a design thinker, a creative in the field of digital and experience design based in Berlin. I like working with empathy & design thinking to solve real-world problems. I like working on projects that encourage me to understand ecosystems and apply my skills to improving them. I've found myself deeply fascinated by the concept of applying ethics in design or rather making ethics the central focus when designing our futures. Innovating responsibly is a key factor in my success as a designer. I'm currently dabbling with speculative design - dreaming of, conceptualizing, and building for a world we would like to live in.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
My dream is to spend my life always finding the sweet spot between passion & productivity for world good. Currently, I could envision myself engaging in spaces of innovation & design for social good. Having identified the immense responsibility of thinkers and creators to shape the world we live in, my interests lie in how I could potentially learn and contribute to
What is a good design for you?
Good design to me is characterized by the ability to re-position and evolve. In that sense, I don't believe any design is "complete". For a design to be successful, it needs to question its purposes, values, and satisfaction to its users, and constantly adapt to fit new expectations. Good design includes the ability to look beyond the immediate outcomes and speculate long-term ramifications.
What was the most challenging experience during your studies?
I personally love challenges. Dealing with challenges enhances my ability to think, create & solve while simultaneously expanding my skillset. Some of our classes were quite futuristic and demanded us to think of new ideas and functions for emerging technologies. I quite enjoyed the challenge of learning about things I've probably never used before and delving into a space of imagination coupled with technical thinking.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by things with pure purposes and well-defined values. I am inspired by people and things that have a high value for life, empathy & equality. When I find myself in a place of find myself reflecting, and critically thinking, I believe that I was inspired by something to change or broaden the lens through which I view the world
How do you approach a new project?
Having worked on multiple projects in academia as well as work, I would say the process is always different based on multiple factors like - motive, team, deliverables, etc. Considering free choice, I would start by evaluating my interests and strengths concerning the theme of the new project. It's quite hard to be engaged in projects that I identify with. I like to find interesting people and teams to work with, with similar motives but different skill sets. I find it key in my practice to search for gaps in the field of work, and to ask why or why not. I also like to ride creative waves, harnessing the power of imaginative thinking that happens often in the preliminary phases of a project.
What advice would you give to students who just started studying in your programme?
Explore! Being a student is a great opportunity to spend time exploring yourself, your interests, diverse fields of study, and emerging sectors. It's through my explorative journeys I've learned the most about myself and my field of work. This has helped me better define and position myself for this phase of my life. Stay open to collaboration, the cross-dimensional exchange is super valuable. And lastly, give in to your curiosity. When you find yourself interested in something, delve deep into resources. Read books, listen to podcasts, and visit exhibitions; be like a sponge. It's always worth it.
Have you changed during your studies? How?
Yes, I've seen a lot of growth in myself. Managing a master's thesis and part-time work simultaneously could be quite demanding. I learned a lot about time and resource management. As a design practitioner, my ability to brainstorm, ideate, reference, study, and create have improved greatly, in a more holistic way. I've also had a perspective change regarding making mistakes. Studying at university has allowed me to develop a healthy relationship with trial and error, seeing most of my errors as stepping stones closer to a realization or solution.
Why did you choose to study in your programme?
Visual and experience design for me is the perfect combination of creativity and technicality with ample focus on speculative thinking and design for social good. Having completed a Bachelor's Degree in Human Centered Design and building a firm foundation in the field of user-centric design, naturally I was interested in exploring more of the field. My work in social incubation organizations and digital solution studios led me to understand the area I wanted to focus on, and hence the decision.
What are you not going to miss in your studies?
I am definitely not going to miss academic writing. I never really find myself struggling to write or express myself. In fact, I find it quite therapeutic and take great pleasure in finding words and stringing together sentences to invoke certain ideas and emotions. However, I must say that academic writing dampens my mood and enthusiasm for my projects. Highly technical with a lack of soul, I'm happy I'm not gonna have to do much academic writing anymore.
How are you going to celebrate your graduation?
I like to do something really special for myself, re-instill the feeling of self-worth. Not going to lie, but half a year of working on a thesis alone involves a great deal of second-guessing, devaluating of the self, doubt, fear, and anxiousness. I haven't thought about it yet, but it should be something that makes me feel super confident and relaxed.
