Phase 1 | (Week 1 to 4)
- Gosia Siwiec
- Jan 30
- 44 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Research and Discover
Starting GDE750, the final module of my course, feels surreal. There’s a mix of emotions—excitement about the journey ahead and a bit of pressure knowing this is my last chance to get it right. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I want to make the most of it.
This course has been life-changing for me, and I’ll always be grateful for the experience, no matter the outcome. My goal for this final project is to create something meaningful—something that truly reflects my growth and creativity. I hope it’s a piece I can look back on one day with pride and a smile.
Reflections:
My career & aspirations
What inspires me
Feedback
Here’s what I’ve created so far:
GDE740- Main Subject Travel
GDE720- Main Subject My Polish Heritage
GDE730- Main Subject My Freelance
I will continue to explore "travel" as the subject for my MA because it’s a massive part of my life and something that never stops inspiring me. The past two years, I’ve spent so much time traveling that I felt like I was practically living at the airport. This constant movement gave me a unique opportunity to experience the highs and lows of travel firsthand—from the excitement of exploring new places to the challenges of staying comfortable and connected on the go.
For this module, I began by selecting themes and answering key questions to define my research question and shape my approach to both design and research. In this final module, I want to combine my travel lifestyle as the core focus. My goal is to graduate with a project that not only showcases my skills but also reflects how travel and my past experiences have influenced and shaped me as both a designer and a person.
Exploring the Travel Themes:
Time: More than just waiting
Language: The signs, sounds, and silences
Passports: A symbol of unity in diversity
Airports: “Non-places”
People: So Different, yet united by the same goal
Travel Places: What stays there unnoticed?
I wish I could explore all of these themes because they are all incredibly appealing, but I’ve learned from past mistakes that taking on too much never ends well. This time, I’ve decided to focus on Travel Places: What stays there unnoticed? because I feel there is so much depth and potential to uncover within this topic. It’s an area that intrigues me deeply, and by narrowing my focus, I hope to create a project that is both meaningful and manageable, allowing me to truly explore the hidden aspects of travel destinations.
Exploring the Unnoticed Aspects:
For the next 24 weeks, I’ll be diving into transit spaces such as airports, train stations, bus terminals, and metro stations. Airports will be my primary focus, as they are where I’m spending most of my time. I plan to build on observations I’ve already made and use this exploration to narrow down specific elements that capture my attention. This process will guide me in collecting items and inspiration to shape my design work.
To document my findings, I’ll use short videos, photography, and curate a collection of intriguing pieces I come across, which will later inform my creative process. An observational diary will also help me record what I notice—people’s behaviours, compelling stories, distinct scents, and the unique atmosphere of these spaces. I’m really excited to start and can’t wait to see where this journey will take me!
Problems I am aware of which need to be solved:
Confusing signage & navigation issues
Overcrowding & lack of personal space
Unreliable or delayed transportation
Poorly maintained infrastructure
Accessibility barriers for disabled & elderly travellers
Nowhere to go
The Unseen Crisis
Public transit stations, bus stops, and underground terminals serve as lifelines for millions of commuters every day. But for many individuals experiencing homelessness, these spaces are more than just transit points—they are temporary shelters, places of refuge from the cold, and often, the only places where they feel safe.
A Growing Issue in Our Cities
Why We Need to Raise Awareness
The Power of a Warm Meal
Moving from Awareness to Action
References
Evidence
Understand Homelessness
Before taking action, it's essential form me to fully understand the issue.
How we can truly help
Understanding first
Time and kindness over money
What about creativity?
The spark of an iIdea
The Art Of Noticing
Rob Walker
Arte Povera
Recycled Art Installations
Research Question 1
I refined my research question to ensure it was focused but broad enough to allow flexibility as the project evolves:
"How can graphic design be used to highlight the overlooked aspects of transit spaces, to foster awareness, inclusivity, and human connection?"
This question feels like a strong starting point because it allows me to explore various themes within transit spaces while keeping graphic design at the centre of my approach.
At this stage, I don’t yet know exactly what the final outcome will be, but that’s ok. I want to let the research and experimentation guide me.
Defining the Project Scope
Transit spaces are unique—they’re in-between places, where people are constantly moving, waiting, or passing through. But because of this, so much goes unnoticed. People become invisible, small details are ignored, and interactions feel fleeting. I want to explore how design can bring attention to these hidden narratives and unseen moments.
My key goals are:
Raise awareness about what is often unseen in transit spaces
Create a visual intervention that encourages engagement and curiosity
Ensure the project has a real-world impact beyond just an artistic concept
Develop a strong visual identity and branding that communicates the message clearly
Project Concept
The core idea is to collect commonly disregarded items from transit areas—such as discarded tickets, receipts, or outdated signage—and repurpose them into unique art pieces. Utilising techniques like gel printing and scanning, I'll create art pieces.
Objectives:
Highlight overlooked aspects: By transforming mundane transit items into art, the project will draw attention to the beauty and stories inherent in everyday spaces.
Foster Inclusivity and Connection: Encouraging individuals to participate in acts of kindness through the distribution of gift cards will help build a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Sustain Community Support: The accompanying website will serve as a hub for ongoing donations, ensuring the project's longevity and continued impact.
Getting Some Answers
Why does this project fascinate me?
Why do I believe I can create something original from this concept?
Is there ample space for research?
Who can I speak to for insights?
Are there any events I can attend?
Who are the right people to consult?
What resources, archives, or institutions can I explore?
What methodology and research methods will I use?
Who is the target audience?
How do I intend to make this project engaging and thought-provoking to create an impact?
What is happening now in this field?
What has happened in the past?
What are the potential risks?
How will this benefit me as a designer?
Branding & Visual Research
I also began thinking about how branding can shape a project like this. Since this isn’t a commercial campaign, the branding needs to feel authentic, subtle, and meaningful rather than promotional.
Typography in urban environments
Branding's influence on socially responsible design
Impact of colours, and layout in public spaces
Some early visual directions I explored:
A minimalist but impactful aesthetic—something that feels like it belongs in transit spaces
Typography-driven design that interacts with the environment
Using found objects (e.g., discarded tickets, receipts, floor markings) as part of the final designs
Legal & Ethical Research
I am trying to understand the legal and ethical guidelines for documenting transit spaces, particularly airports, train stations, and bus stations. Since my project involves capturing overlooked aspects of these spaces, I need to ensure that I follow the proper regulations while also being mindful of ethical concerns.
I want to be cautious and respectful throughout this process, ensuring that I am not violating any laws or making people uncomfortable while collecting visual and audio data. Below is a breakdown of my research and how I plan to proceed carefully.
Airports
Bus stations
Train stations
Audio recording in transit spaces
Ethical considerations
Distributing free printed materials
Fundraising Platforms
Graphic Design in Transit Places
Graphic design in transit spaces is a crucial aspect of urban environments, serving as a bridge between functionality, artistic expression, and social impact. Transit areas such as train stations, airports, and subways are not just passageways but immersive spaces that shape public perception and experience.
Case studies
My understanding of graphic design in transit spaces
Reflection
References
Discovery & Awareness Research (bringing attention to unnoticed elements)
In urban environments, particularly within transit spaces, countless objects and visual elements go unnoticed each day. Commuters are often preoccupied with their destinations rather than their surroundings, leading to a form of inattentional blindness where the details of their environment fade into the background. This research focuses on identifying, documenting, and reimagining overlooked materials—such as discarded tickets, outdated signage, and forgotten receipts—through artistic transformation. The aim is to uncover the hidden aesthetic and narrative potential of these objects while exploring the psychological and behavioural factors behind their neglect.
Understanding why objects go unnoticed
Documenting unnoticed elements
Testing awareness & perception
The hidden beauty of discarded items
References
Transformation Research (turning discarded materials into meaningful art)
Transformation is at the core of this project—taking disregarded transit materials and reimagining them as artistic expressions. By applying graphic design techniques such as gel printing, scanning, layering, and collage, this research explores how overlooked items (e.g., discarded tickets, receipts, outdated signage) can be turned into thought-provoking artworks. This phase will investigate the aesthetic potential of found objects, the historical and cultural significance of transit ephemera, and experimental approaches to material repurposing.
Identifying & collecting materials
Scanning, printing & layering techniques
Historical & cultural context
Case studies & artists working with found ephemera
Experimental Transformation & Public Interaction
References
Community & Kindness Research (engagement through gifting and participation)
The final phase of this research explores how art, kindness, and community engagement intersect through the gifting and participatory elements of the project. By anonymously placing repurposed transit materials as takeaway artworks, along with gift cards for those in need, this phase investigates how small acts of generosity can spark larger conversations about social connection, empathy, and shared urban experiences.
The impact of small acts of kindness
Participation & community interaction
Measuring Impact & Sustainability
References
Case Studies
JR and Banksy, two of the most influential street artists of our time. Both have shaped how we think about public art, activism, and the way we interact with urban spaces. My goal was to understand their approaches and reflect on how their work could inspire my project.
JR
Banksy
Reflection
Archives
Post-War Makeshift Homes (1945–early 1950s)
Cardboard City (1978–1998)
Homelessness Legislation
Museum of Homelessness Collection
Resources/ Inspiration
Homeless Link
CafeArt
Homelessness: Reframed Exhibition (London)
Subway Hands
Comments