Our project aims to cultivate narrative autonomy in the Don Bosco community, in ourselves, and among fellow Eco-Social Designers.
Three key components supported our critical exploration of how we conceptualise and tell stories:
1. Dimmi, a playful high-tech tin can telephone
2. A group commitment to shared values and generative conflict
3. Cards for Regenerative Design, a non-extractive design deck
In initial meetings with our project partner, OfficineVispa, the concept of "autonarration" emerged. Gianluca of OfficineVispa highlighted issues of narrative distortion from external media. He expressed a desire for the community of Don Bosco "to be able to describe itself, by itself, and not being described as normally by the media."
By exploring autonomy within narration, we developed an understanding of the non-autonomous nature of our stories and its implications. Our artefacts seek to facilitate critical reflection of these invisible frameworks that inform and shape transformative design.
Dimmi takes the form of an oversized tin can telephone, superimposed on a public bench in the Don Bosco neighbourhood. The object provides a playful way for community members to record and share narratives with each other. By playing uncensored narratives, the object aims to offer a richer understanding of the full context of the community beyond what may normally be visible or discussed.
The second artifact, Cards for Regenerative Design, integrates critical theory and practice exercises to build designers’ capacity for transformative work. Created as a tool for self- reflection and self-contextualization, the deck supports designers in understanding their positionality within power systems, identities, and cultural hierarchies.
