Abstract

Reflecting on the qualities and shortcomings of mood boards, this paper explores the use of visual references in design processes. With cultural appropriation, commodification, and intellectual property at stake, I discuss ethical considerations for educators supporting students through visual research. What are our responsibilities when using images from the past to brief a future project? I consider Sara Ahmed’s argument on feminist citation and suggest its application to our mood boards.

Session and activities

I start with an exploration of the qualities, possibilities, and shortcomings of mood boards, to then explore the use of visual references in design processes at large. The use of visual references, as the referencing of images for inspiration, is key to design processes such as mood boards, sketchbooks, decks, or treatments. Yet creative education often overlooks how we can responsibly source, collect, credit, and use images found in archives, social media, or else. The juxtaposition of found images on a mood board connects various histories, contexts, cultures in one new context: our imagined, upcoming projects. Often used without crediting their sources, such collections of images can inform cultural appropriation, commodification, and intellectual property issues. I stress the responsibilities in using images from the past to develop and brief future projects. I ask: how can we be more critical of and responsible in our use of references in visual research? What changes to our ways of referencing can ensure that our future projects don\’t reproduce past and present oppressive systems? I argue educators must consider these questions when supporting students through visual research and the communication of their ideas. My suggestions refer to previous lectures, workshops, and units I led across a range of universities. I reflect on the various practices that emerged from these learning spaces, demonstrating possibilities to rework the way we approach visual inspiration. Making a parallel between the referencing of images on mood boards and the referencing of texts in essays, I consider Sara Ahmed\’s argument on feminist citation and suggest its application to our use of visual references.
I suggest ways to include marginalised voices and diverse perspectives; ways to approach positionality through the mood board; ways to analyse how one\’s project is situated in and contributing to disciplines and communities.
Presented as short oral presentation with slideshow