A master programme thesis from Aalborg University
How to Make Guides? - media technologies for regenerative creativity
Author(s)
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-08-16
Pages
93 pages
Abstract
This thesis investigates how guides can be designed to support regenerative creativity through accessible, participatory, and sustainable approaches. Using a Research through Design methodology, the project combined analog and digital prototyping with mixed methods fieldwork at a festival. Data were gathered through a 10-question physical survey, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, engaging over 60 festival-goers in co-creative activities. Analysis followed a convergent parallel mixed methods design, integrating descriptive survey trends with thematic insights from interviews. Findings reveal strong user preference for low-barrier, physical entry points-such as printed zines-supplemented by modular digital tools that allow personalization, remixing, and community contribution. Trust in AI was low unless outputs were transparent and human-curated, while social and convivial settings significantly increased willingness to participate. Key barriers included time constraints, lack of creative confidence, and limited material access. The thesis contributes design principles for regenerative guide systems that blend tangible and digital formats, foster transparency and community trust, and lower participation thresholds. These insights inform future development of waterlike.tools and similar platforms, with potential to scale from local maker contexts to broader systemic change initiatives.
Keywords
Documents
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