Shehzil Malik

Abstract

I Am Pakistan is a project that aims to address the question of whether interaction design can be used to create human connections and foster the intrinsic motivation needed for becoming an agent of social change.

Pakistan is a country riddled with crippling problems such as poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and injustice. There is a need to make young people aware of proactive measures they can take to help change this dire situation.

Figures show that around 55% of Pakistani nationals are under the age of 25 with over 30 million Internet users in the population. This indicates that there is a large target audience of students and young professionals who can potentially be mobilized for social causes. Volunteering is one way of bringing about positive social change in the community.

My specific scope of research is to create a design solution for "strategic volunteerism," aiming to:

1. Promote volunteerism in an innovative manner

2. Highlight credible channels for volunteer energy

3. Add value to the volunteer experience by making it more personal and social

4. Enable volunteers to contribute to a process having impact

I Am Pakistan is an interactive storytelling experience about volunteering. Users are engaged on two fronts: they can choose to read stories as well as add their own story to the compendium. This peer-reviewed collection of volunteer stories provides a true account of a volunteer's experiences, which can further be shared across social media.

The goal of such user-generated online content is simple: to promote volunteerism in a young audience using a medium they are accustomed to, and inspire others to contribute.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Social problems--Pakistan--Interactive multimedia--Design; Social change--Pakistan--Interactive multimedia--Design; Voluntarism--Pakistan--Interactive multimedia--Design

Publication Date

10-23-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Visual Communication Design (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CIAS)

Advisor

Chris Jackson

Advisor/Committee Member

Adam Smith

Advisor/Committee Member

Raj S. Murthy

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at DS389 .M35 2013

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

VISCOM-MFA

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