From taboos to talk
Master thesis project at The Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Speculative Design / Strategic Design / Service Design
This project won the AHO award for Best use of strategic design
From Taboos to talk was also nominated to the award for Sustainability
With From Taboos to Talk we explore new ways of approaching sexual health, in order to promote open and honest conversations. Through four future scenarios we speculate around two main driving forces that might lead the development of sexuality education in Norway in different directions — asking who should be the focus, and where it should take place.
This speculative design diploma reimagines how and when we learn about our bodies, gender expressions, identities and sexual wellbeing, in order to promote a respectful approach to sexuality, less discrimination, inequality and sexual violence. Through storytelling we want to contribute to a broader discussion about sexual health and sexuality education, exploring new ways sexuality might be learnt, as well as new arenas where reflection and mutual understanding might occur.
We ask who might be the focus in sexual education; A strong focus directed at the children or a cross generational focus?
We ask where it might take place; Should it take place in the public sphere or the private sphere?
Video from our exhibition and workshop on the four scenarios for the future of sexuality education in Norway.
The scearios
Our process
The future scenarios have been developed through participatory design, involving stakeholders such as parents, teachers, interest organisations and experts. To challenge our own biases, we have worked closely with users of different needs and backgrounds.
Through textual and visual narratives, each scenarios explore different driving forces that might lead to different futures. To make the scenarios immersive and tangible we have created a total of thirteen future artifacts, by continuously iterating and ideating with users in co-creative sessions.
The artifacts range from physical products, through websites and apps to service interventions. Together, these four scenarios make up a tool for imagining, discussing and reflecting on different futures.
Take a look at some of the future artifacts below!
