Tribal Futures

Social theorists predict that traditional units of society such as
the family are becoming less dominant, and instead - elective, tribal groupings are on the rise.

The Tribal Futures project undertaken by Design Interactions at the Royal College of Art over a 4 week period, and in collaboration with Vodafone, enquires into the changes technology will make to our behaviour in groups - both mundane and extreme. It proposes design interventions to support, subvert and celebrate our tribal connections.

Royal College of Art

title

"Waltz of the Orange Men" describes the flow of movement that was observed through the Tribal Futures project. Working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council recycling removal men, I infiltrated their daily routine and gained a unique perspective of their group dynamics. There are two variables that are crucial to the success of their working day, these are the TIME and PACE that they work at. To accompany this, they have specific 'super power' like skills which allow them to efficiently complete their work.

With a future change about to happen which will hugely effect their safe rituals "Workshop the future" was designed to create some of these future changes. Therefor altering their working environment to remove their 'super strength' and 'super sight'. "Workshop the Future" is a service proposal developed to help the men adapt to change. This service could be implemented at both a small scale of one lorry, or on a larger scale of a whole fleet.

  •  A unique perspective and method of capturing the group dynamics of a public space
  •  A plan of "Workshop the future" helping the men adapt to change
  •  A possible design solution for the after effects of "Workshop the future", using cameras on the lorry so the men can see what is infront of them

"Waltz of the Orange Men" communicates not only the speed, but the precision and beauty of the men at work. This film captures the movement of the men working and is most purely expressed through the dance. Their 'flow' takes place against the backdrop of the streets of Fulham, south-west London. Possibly an unexpected situation to identify such important flows of energy that when changed, have such a direct impact to human activity.

"Design interventions" shows the workshop function. One man wears a different colour jacket to differentiate him from the tribe, removing his 'supers sight', recreating the experience of a new member in the tribe. He now lacks the valuable knowledge of the area, which will then alter the gangs productivity. Another has lost his 'super strength', resulting in him to work at a standard pace, slowing down the whole gang.


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