Christian,
I've been invited to give feedback to all Parsons students, regarding your thesis projects.
I think it's brave and commendable of you to raise the issues surrounding the US/Mexico border. On first look, however, it feels more like an art project than a design project. The distinction for me is that, although you are employing product design methods to visualize your thinking, you've opted to raise awareness by way of an installation rather than connect with an agency or community organization (or anything else that employs an ongoing outreach effort to the end users). I can see that the renderings are clever and fun, but I can't see how all of this, in the end, will provoke action or meaningful change.
Could you perhaps also find a way to fold into your final thesis a PLAN to launch your project at a gallery or Hispanic community center or even government office (think outside the white cube!) and invite political figures who can actually be present to see the work and be inspired to change policy somehow?
It's good to materialize a political issue but you also need to think about how to place the materialization in the political space. Put your product ideas in the context of long-term thinking too, and consider what needs to happen to not just raise awareness but to also bring about meaningful change.
Thank you! J.
