The Listening Post

The Listening Post is a concept for a Virtual Reality experience designed specifically for (and for use at) CanDu cancer support network. This project is designed to address questions surrounding the inclusion of multiple perspectives of a single journey, providing a more holistic view of ill-health narratives. As this project would be working with the perspectives of those with whom I have no personal connection, it can be considered a work of biography (obtained through interview, inspired by documentary).

This project was designed to explore the following questions:

How can game designers (and researchers) obtain privileged insights to better tailor interview questions for the participants?

How can the perspectives and voices of family members and medical practitioners be incorporated into this process to develop a more holistic view of an ill-health narrative?

How can designers ensure a variety of voices and perspectives are included to actively challenge existing viewpoints, perceptions, or reinforce dominant cultural biases?

What are the benefits and challenges of authentically representing individuals whose background and circumstances may pose unique individual challenges?

How can designers integrate symbolic 'instigators' within both the process and final artefact (Photovoice documents and self-identified Evocative Objects) to further bridge the indexical gap?

The intentions for this project were to:

• Establish connections with CanDu and explore co-design/working with stakeholders.

• Integrate Photovoice as a method, acting as an instigator for interview questions (in place of privileged insight).

• Record and include the perspective of not only the individual, but their wider circle; family member, medical practitioner, etc.

• Integrate the modular storytelling approach from Not Alone with the technology and framing of The Longest Walk.

It is recommend that you read section 4.5 The Listening Post of the thesis for further insight into the project.