“Feminist Rhetorics and Interaction Design”
Sano-Franchini connects feminist rhetorics and IxD (84). She argues that both intersect, especially in “concerns for social justice” (85). She believes that “feminisms and IxD together can lead to more socially and politically conscious digital production” (85). Interaction design is defined as “how people interact with technology” (86). When merging the ideas of feminist rhetorics and interaction design, Sano-Franchini argues,“Both feminisms and IxD provide […] approaches for understanding the writing process as an embodied, even political, act” (86-7).
Sano-Franchini explores the relationship between feminism and IxD in her “Issues in Profession and Public Discourse” course (89). The course focuses on five areas: “1) What is/are feminism(s)? 2) IxD Basics; 3) Feminisms and Design; 4) Feminisms and HCI; and 5) Praxis” (90). What I found interesting is Sano-Franchini’s interest in using “slow composition” with her class (88, 92). I appreciate that it is an American Indian methodology. By diversifying the methodologies and concepts in her class, Sano-Franchini is creating an intersectional feminist and IxD environment for her students.
One group of students decided to create an application, The DownLow, about the body and sex for 8-10 year olds. Another group decided to expose double standards in pop culture with their project, Equalipop. Sano-Franchini also notes how she learned from the students as well and that she strives for a “multidirectional learning” environment, where she is a “facilitator” and not the authority (103-4). At the end of the course, students were able to see how feminism and IxD can work together and what skills they can gain (collaboration, problem solving) that would better help them in their professional careers (106). Sano-Franchini concludes by saying that the “feminist IxD approach means consciously and intentionally drawing and learning from the history of gender inequality in designing interactions” (107).
Seeing feminism and IxD in a real world example
While reading Sano-Franchini’s article, I found myself interested in how video games could be constructed using feminism and IxD. I decided to search the internet which led me through “rabbit-holes,” including many articles and videos about how video games confine women to certain body types and expression. But I will leave this discussion for next week’s posts!
In any case, I came across a website (https://feministfrequency.com/) created by Anita Sarkeesian. I’m sad to say that before this search I did not know of either Anita Sarkeesian or her fabulous website. Why I believe Feminist Frequency is an example of a feminist digital space is not just because it is a non-profit organization, but their mission is to be “socially responsible” and educate others about intersectional issues. The site not only has articles surrounding pop culture, including TV shows and video games, but mini videos focusing on “Ordinary Women” who changed the course of history. I think the most educational section, would have to be the “Resources” page where there is a “Glossary” and list of “Media Recommendations.” This site is not only accessible to feminists, but makes the terminology accessible to those who many not be familiar with feminism (particularly in the section “Feminism 101”). If Sarkeesian and her team were not interested in facilitating a socially responsible space, they would not have not spent effort in collecting resources that educate the public about feminism and how it is a useful tool when looking at media and culture.
Side note: I also enjoy how Anita and her team use avatars to represent themselves on the website.
I encourage everyone to look at the site, if you are not already familiar with it 🙂
Citations:
Sano-Franchini, Jennifer. “Feminist Rhetorics and Interaction Design: Facilitating Socially Responsible Design.” Rhetoric and Experience Architecture. Eds. Michael Salvo and Liza J. Potts. Chapter 5. Parlor Press, 2016. 84-108.
Sarkeesian, Anita. https://feministfrequency.com/
Questions:
- Isabella Scott writes about critiques of cyberfeminism, particularly Faith Wilding (who believed cyberfeminists should do more regarding racial bias). And Jessie Daniels argues, “The fact that race matters online, as it does offline, counters the oft-repeated assertion that cyberspace is a disembodied realm where gendered and racialized bodies can be left behind” (116). Do you think Feminist Frequency allows for a discussion of other issues, including racial prejudice, in a feminist digital space?
- Are there other sites or spaces that have a similar mission as Feminist Frequency? Or an example of another feminist digital space in general?
- Are there other sites or spaces that illustrate an intersectional feminism?
Great post Caterina. I’m glad you mentioned “slow composition,” because this also captured my interest. Our education system typically separates place-based and experience writing, but I wondered if the other aspects of “slow composition” might be similar to what might be alternatively termed a comprehensively scaffolded class? To your second question, another feminist digital space is feministing.com. This seems to address what Sano-Franchini calls “wicked problems,” and it includes an element of feminist rhetoric which is “invitational,” in that the editors have provided spaces to learn what others have to say. The site frequently refers to the experiences of those it seeks to support. For example, the blog “Inside the Fight for Menstrual Equity in America’s Prisons,” addresses the predicament of incarcerated women who are in the position of having (mostly) male officials decide how many feminine products they receive every month. This is insufficient for most women and harms their dignity. Along with a reader who commented on the blog, I had never heard of this problem. In addition to educating others of news that would not be reported through regular outlets, this site provides opportunities for activism by providing links that allow readers to get involved.
Hi Vivien,
Thanks! I’ll look into feministing.com as well. And I’m glad you brought up “wicked problems.” I think using feminism in blogs and other digital outlets allows for such activism which you mentioned. I woudn’t have thought of menstrual equity in prisons…but now I’m aware!
Hi, Caterina! It was great meeting you in person the other day.
Just based on my quick look through the Feminist Frequency site, it seems like they are at least moving towards intersectional feminism. I see articles that cover issues of both gender as well as race, and their team seems fairly diverse.
I’m looking forward to your video game blog next week!
It was great meeting you too 🙂 I like the site very much because it doesn’t present an opinion and just leave it for others to consume, but presents the concepts in a educational manner.
Like Vivian, I’m also you brought our attention to “slow composition.” Sano-Franchini didn’t expand too much on the term, but I’m assuming it’s the same idea behind slow food and slow pedagogy, right? I’d like to know more about slow composition as the whole slow movement seems to be picking up speed (that’s a joke). But really, I’d like to know more. It sounds like you have some familiarity with the term, Caterina. I’d love for you (or anyone else reading through these comments) to expand on the idea. ALSO, I’m curious about IxD. Sano-Franchini makes note of the differences between IxD and user interface design, but they sound really similar to me, and her explanation didn’t do much to clarify their differences to me.
Hi Jon, Thanks! I was not familiar with “slow composition” before reading the article, but I think it makes complete sense to me now. Being mindful and slowing down the writing process allows for students to truly reflect on the writing process instead of “speeding” up and writing as fast as possible to get the assignment done. I know all writing instructors emphasize reflection and revisions, but I think the concept of “slow composition” is powerful. I also like that it has a connection to indigenous culture, being part Native American myself (though the concept is linked to the Anishinaabe tribe and not with all indigenous tribes). I could be wrong, but I think the linking of the idea to indigenous culture is important because it emphasizes that the practice is not new and that it is a natural way of writing and reflecting.
And I felt the same way about her argument regarding IxD. I thought she meant user interface design the whole time and was just using her own terminology. I did some research and attempted to construct my own definition, but I found this awesome article that breaks down the terms:
“UX Design is how a user feels about the apps, UI Design is what, where and how elements work on the apps, Information Architecture is how a app is organized, and Interaction Design is how the user and app act and react to each other.” (link to original post: https://blog.usejournal.com/ux-vs-ui-vs-ia-vs-ixd-4-confusing-digital-design-terms-defined-ebd679f53f2)
Caterina: At Computers and Writing a couple of years ago at the UW Stout campus, one of the keynote speakers was Anishinaabe, Margaret Noodin. She gave an amazing keynote–one of the best ever– and sang for us in the language. I’m having trouble finding her website, but I cited it in an article I wrote about global environments on the web. She had everyone in a magical state! Her website was http://ojibwe.net/
Hi Professor Davidson,
Thank you for this resources! The internet has provided us a digital space for us to connect and preserve language and culture that would otherwise be known just to the tribe and the select few who know of the Anishinaabe. For example, I found this site https://www.jeremynative.com/onthissite/about/ which is mostly photographs, but tries to preserve the history of Native Americans on Long Island (the artist is also Shinnecock).
I’d be interested to hear what your thoughts are on this website.
http://www.nymgamer.com/
I think slow composition also relates to Alexandra Hidalgo’s Camera Rhetorica, although her focus is composing with video. In that case, she is working with teams of people and talks about how slow and difficult it can be to make sure that everyone feels invested in the project and like their point of view is being reflected in the outcome.
Can user interface design create an environment where one needs to slow compose?
Hi Professor Davidson,
I love the site you mentioned! I also like how the women in charge of the site are academics and engage with pop culture and video games. I think what I have seen in academia thus far and what I heard mentioned at the English Graduate Conference is that many academics do not feel that popular culture and media are as worthy of academic analysis than, let’s say…Moby Dick. While the classics are invaluable, there is much to be said about pop culture and video games!
I really liked Hidalgo’s work. I think what I found most enjoyable was her clips of her family and her slow-paced voice.
As for user interface design…I’m actually not sure how this would play out when the product is finished, but in terms of creating an environment with user interface design, I do think it is possible to “slow compose.” Just by reading Sano-Franchini’s approach, I think if one were to draft their ideas of the design and continuously revise, I think it would fit the definition of “slow composition.” I think nowadays, app developers and UX designers try to get the product out there as quickly as possible, but do not reflect on the product. Companies are interested in profit, but Sano-Franchini’s students were interested in educating their target audience.
Oh, also–although I wouldn’t identify Ian Bogost with feminism, of interest might be some of his video games like Cow Clicker and A Slow Year, which conspicuously resist the escalating pace of most online games.
https://cowclicker.com/
http://bogost.com/games/aslowyear/