AN EXPLORATION OF THE USE OF MEMES IN DESIGN PROCESSES

Memes can be seen as expressions of social discourse and may be considered both as source of information about sentiments regarding societal issues, and as a catalyst for sparking conversation. Since both potential uses have direct relevance for design processes, this paper reports on student projects that have experimented with the use of memes in both contexts. It concludes that the first use can spark inspiration and motivation among students but that its potential for reliable insights is challenged by various factors. With respect to the second use, student projects suggest that there is considerable potential for using memes as a catalyst for dialogue between opposite sides.