Design for Freer Sexual Exploration

Abstract

This master thesis report is a deliverable of a six months long graduation project at the master specific track Design for Interaction, at TU Delft. The primary domain researched in this project is the domain of sexual exploration. Initially, the research started by exploring the uneasiness of sexual exploration. Firstly, the aim was to understand what sexual exploration is and how people sexually explore in the current world. A combination of different DFI specific methods was used. In the first phase, the ViP method was used to understand the context of the domain, the influencing factors, and to, later on, create a coherent story. Underlying mechanisms of human sexuality and additional topics were necessary to understand in this phase as well, on which later design criteria were developed. The project was done with an external client, Ink - a design studio based in Amsterdam, whose previous research in the domain was resourceful as well. Besides the mentioned methods, a continuous process of user interviews, creative sessions and discussions were held as well. The chosen method provided valuable knowledge and necessary factors in order to create an overview of the current world in the context of the researched domain. Moreover, it supported the additional conclusions of how to approach the found issue and what is required for future world creation. Following the methodological steps in this research, three design iteration cycles were performed as well. Each design concept in those cycles focused on different aspects of uneasy sexual exploration. After their detailed evaluation, the created concepts served as a learning moment to better understand what exactly the final concept should be. After marking down the potential directions and evaluating design opportunities, it was decided the focus of the final concept should be on sexual scripts - societally created guidelines on sexual behaviour and their influence on people’s sexual exploration. Based on the findings and evaluation, a suitable vision statement was proposed as an essential part of the ViP method - encouraging people to be freer in their sexual exploration, by showing them the ridiculousness of sexual scripts. The mechanism and the intended effect of the statement were tested on several occasions, based on which final concept was then created. This thesis, therefore, aims to propose a suitable design solution in the domain of sexual exploration. Specifically, the focus of the created concept is on the people who currently feel limited by the sexual scripts they encounter and require additional support in sexually exploring beyond them. The final concept of this research project is an Instagram profile which aims to raise awareness of sexual scripts in the society by ridiculing them, in order to support people to be freer in their sexual exploration. By using a combination of satirical illustrations and text, the profile serves as a type of an online catalogue of sexual scripts where users have a clear overview, but also as a safe space where alternative ideas can be found. The name of this concept and consequently, the Instagram profile, is The Script Bible, where additional ridicule is present as well, to mock how blindly people sometimes follow mentioned sexual scripts. The final concept was validated with five potential users, which were selected based on the intended target group - people who sometimes experience a limitation in their sex lives caused by sexual scripts. Furthermore, the validation of the concept focused on a few parts - the directness and understanding, confrontation with personal attitudes, the overall moment of first interaction and the visual language of the concept. Additionally, a comparison with the created product qualities was also validated. Illustrations were tested separately and then with the overall Instagram profile as well. In conclusion, while this concept only focuses on the first layer of defeating the sexual scripts - the awareness, the validation and reflection both indicate the chosen direction is a suitable one. Moreover, the created concept shows the chosen mechanism is also fitting for this approach and can result in a more open discussion about sexual exploration, breaking the uncomfortableness of the topic and spark further interest in the topic itself.