For my research methods I used 2 main approaches: Visual Research Methods and a Focus Group

I was very strategic and considered with my approach. Within my teaching practice I have learnt that students feel more comfortable to share personal insights, when you allow them to have physical materials to work with, as it removes any kind of pressure off, which would otherwise be there if you simply rely on just dialogue through an interview or focus group. I also had a strategy in terms of how I organised my session – i felt it was important to go in a certain order, to help open the students up in a way that felt safe and supported.

I started by inviting my 4 participants (all who are students on my BA Fashion Styling Course) to create visual responses – so this could be by drawing, painting or illustrating – in response to 2 questions.

I provided A3 paper, along with pens, colour pencils and paint, and asked them the 2 following questions

1) What is a private space in your home (can be current or childhood home) where you feel most safe & comfortable?

2) What is a public space (again, can be currently located or from your childhood) where you feel/ felt most safe and comfortable?

I wanted to get them to start thinking about what they seek in terms of safety and belonging within physical spaces – is it based on certain fabrics and textures, is it dependent on lighting or sound, or foot-traffic within that space

Then I had them return to the context of our physical university space – specifically the new LCF East bank building– as that is the focus, with my research question being: How can the multi-faith room be re-designed offer a sense of belonging for students at the East Bank building at UAL. I provided images of different spaces within the East Bank building and invited the participants to annotate these images, in terms of the feelings that arise when entering or spending time in these spaces. Again, I was very considered with my order, and placed images of the multi-faith room at the end, to allow time for the participants to feel comfortable with this way of working and engaging with the tools and materials provided.

As I went through both these activities, I created space for continued open discussion, which with the consent of the participants, I recorded and then later transcribed.

Reflection on research methods used

Upon reflection, I realize more was revealed through open, candid conversation, rather than the visual activities.However, I believe that the visual activities are crucial, as they helped facilitate the conversation, removing any formality or pressure, which may have otherwise been present.

In terms of ethics, I wonder if there were any concerns in askings students to visually capture their favourite space in their current or childhood home. Could this activity be triggering for certain people? As my 4 participants are all friends with each other and there was a sense of comfort throughout the session. However, if that wasn’t the case or anyone had any childhood trauma, could this open that open?