Organisation

Boom Saloon is a global movement to democratise creativity for good via print magazine, community projects and creative studio.

Location

We expect this internship to take place in a hybrid manner, splitting time between our studio in Edinburgh and WFH in a manner which enables strong collaboration alongside project execution, to support knowledge exactness and the sharing of ideas and insights.

Project

Rewriting the story of dementia: How research can inform dementia friendly design which is delivered mindfully and ethically

This project is a continuation of boom saloon’s ongoing work to rewrite the story of dementia. Working in partnership with those with lived experience of dementia, we have collaboratively produced a body of writing to feature in a booklet and publication. The former will enable those living with dementia to undertake self-delivered activity around creative writing, whilst the latter will share the story of this work with an audience previously unaware of the dementia journey.

The aim is to explore and understand how this writing and information can be presented in a dementia friendly manner whilst engaging multiple audiences mindfully and ethically – sharing the true lived experience of dementia with all new audiences. This project will facilitate knowledge exchange in this area whilst supporting the development of new ideas and using research to inform new work.

Outputs

The expected outcome of this project is a report with suggestions of how to achieve dementia friendly design which engages multiple audiences mindfully and ethically. Research should involve assessment of various audiences; of how each consumes content and the challenges this presents; market context and accessible design.

Timescale

Flexible

Benefits to the Host

Our ongoing work to rewrite the story of dementia has led us to identify a unique opportunity to create physical publications which share the true lived experience of dementia. Doing so, whilst disseminating the word throughout our global audience, presents the opportunity to nurture empathy and understanding within a community previously unaware of the specifics of the dementia journey. Access to specialist knowledge and skills will allow us to deliver this in an informed manner with fresh insights and perspectives alongside informed research.

Benefits to the Researcher

The intern will benefit from the sharing of our research to date, alongside direct input from those living with dementia. They will gain genuine insights into the personal stories this affects and the wider societal impacts of these. Specific research undertaken will inform thoughtful conversations around accessible design and how this might be presented meaningfully and ethically to multiple audiences. Dealing with sensitive materials that could potentially trigger or upset audiences will encourage mindful approaches to information sharing and messaging, leading to the development of graduate students’ marketable skills and expertise.

Key Relationships

The intern will work with the boom saloon team, alongside STAND – a peer support group for those living with young onset dementia and their families and friends in Fife. They will also be put in contact with various dementia researchers, experts and designers to inform their project – allowing research skills to be put to use in all new contexts.  

Subject Areas

Person Specification

First published: 16 September 2021