Small Things
Moving away from home is difficult and many people who move away from their homes for studying, work or a better quality of life face a huge challenge of change and have to create a new identity for themselves. They get so consumed with responsibilities, that they forget to relish in the happiness that the small things in life bring. Small Things is a project that explores the connection between moving away from home and small moments of joy that ground us back from the change through conversation, illustration, design and animation.
The project integrated Co-design Methodology by bringing together the stories of four different people who have moved away from their homes. The co-design framework or participatory design is a collaborative approach that brings together designers and the target audience to ensure it reflects their experiences and insights.
A set of questions was designed to serve as a structural guide for the conversation with four people who have different cultural backgrounds and have moved to Auckland. These conversations were recorded to serve as a voiceover for the animation. A longer edit of the conversations is available to listen to. The conversations began with participants sharing their definitions of "small things." They then discuss their journeys of moving away from home and the challenges they faced during this transition. The conversation progresses to explore the small practices they adopted after relocating and the aspects that have supported them through the changes they encountered. Hearing different perspectives on moving out, from excitement to challenges, offered valuable insights into the emotions around small things. Cultural and personal differences have a huge impact on how people view and experience “small things.”
