Oscar Meldrum
YOU ARE WHAT YOU HOLD DEAR
Relics is a social platform built around the idea that rather than defining ourselves by what we do — we should define ourselves by what we care about.
On the Relics app, users paint an indirect picture of themselves by curating a collection of the every day objects they surround themselves with and hold dear.
Design has historically been used as a tool for good, to help facilitate positive change within a system, contributing towards the overall wellbeing of a community. However, when motivated by a selfish desire for profit rather than the desire to help others, designers can use these same tools maliciously, to mislead and take advantage of people in a way that reinforces and perpetuates harmful systems. In this thesis, any work that intentionally serves to contribute to these systems of harm for profit is defined as design for ‘Evil’.
Through careful examination of contemporary examples from Dublin city, this work aims to explore how the vape industry uses ‘Evil’ design practices to subliminally target and market towards children.
[*This work was selected to be presented at Findings VII (June 3rd)]
Hi, I’m Oscar! A multidisciplinary designer with a passion for finding unique perspectives on a subject and conveying them through design. My strengths lie in Web Design, Image-Making, Photography and Art Direction. I enjoy working alongside clients to break down a problem to its core and find a new way to approach it.
In my time at IADT, I’ve become very involved in the student community, managing communications for the Erasmus society, helping run dozens of events, and giving guided tours and speeches during freshers week and at open days.
I’m drawn to work that makes a statement. If you’re looking to connect with audiences and challenge expectations — I’m your guy!
