Collecting data about myself

Jisoo Shon
Nov 4 · 2 min read

Data itself as a meaningful clue

Image from Inverted Bach

The meaning of ‘Data’ to me has been changed with the continuous social and technological flows. When I considered data as only a measure of a certain item, it was no more than a set of information. After having the identity of a designer, I started to consider data as a material for designing, a background for reasoning and theory, and a proof to support my argument. But as Mimi Onuha said, when we consider the invisible relationship in it, and if we can relate it to ourselves, it creates the power to see through beyond the number. The reason why Giorgia Lupi’s talk ‘How we can find ourselves in data’ was interesting is that the result of collecting data from herself becomes a humanistic means of expressing her. Therefore, the data has become a filter that reveals one’s day and personality, not a mere superficial number. This leads me to reflect on the subtle changes in everyday life that only humans understand, apart from the process of data collection, processing, and analyzing based on algorithms.

When I get the question “assuming you are going to collect data about yourself for 10years, what would be and why?” I thought it was similar to ask that I know about myself well. I want to start recording the space I stayed during the day and what I felt from there. It’ll cover everything from natural to artificial. I had worked as an interior designer and had been deeply interested in architecture, so to me how physical space affects human individuals has always been an interesting subject. However, since I made up my mind to design digital interfaces and intangible services, I think I felt less about the concept of space. Maybe my monotonous daily life has affected that feeling, but I don’t want to lose the curiosity and imagination that I have always felt about some places and spaces. Also, I wish to live a nomadic life after graduation, so a record of the upcoming 10 years will be data the can represent a lot about me.

MDES/MPS Seminar 1 _ Fall 2019

Carnegie Mellon University _ Master of Design

    Jisoo Shon

    Written by

    Interaction Designer @CMU MDes

    MDES/MPS Seminar 1 _ Fall 2019

    Carnegie Mellon University _ Master of Design

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