What's the added value of swiping? Luka opens the discussion
- Design
Luka Knez (25) is fascinated by the relationship between humans and technology. This is the focus of his final project for the bachelor's degree in Crossmedia Design at the AKI ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design in Enschede. "I want to tell interesting stories with my work, stories that touch on our humanity and raise questions about technological progress," he explains.
After finishing high school, Luka knew he wanted to pursue a creative degree but wasn't sure in which direction. “In my home country, Slovenia, you have to choose a specific path like sculpture, painting, or architecture right away,” he says. “I didn’t want that, so I looked elsewhere in Europe and found the Crossmedia Design course at the academy in Enschede. The broad approach of the program immediately appealed to me.”
A toolbox of skills
At the beginning of the program, Luka took a variety of courses and learned different techniques, from woodworking to programming. “This gave me the tools to concretely translate the ideas in my head.”
There are plenty of options within the course. It's great to explore and discover so many different things.”
“From the first year, students also have the opportunity to take optional workshops,” Luka continues. “I remember taking a textile workshop and realizing it wasn’t for me,” he laughs. “No problem, because there are plenty of other options within the program. It's great to explore and discover so many different things.”
Fascination with human behavior...
A perfect fit for Luka was BioLab, where students can undertake their own research projects. “I am very drawn to the scientific methodology of the BioLab,” Luka says. “You learn how to critically and artistically analyze a subject. I explored how much our life path is dictated by our DNA. Thanks to the BioLab, I discovered my interest in themes that touch on the essence of our humanity.”
...and technology
Luka also realized he had a fascination with emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, creative coding, and artificial intelligence (AI). “This fascination grew even stronger when I spent a semester at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art & Design in Budapest, where I delved deep into new technologies and media. I find it interesting to use these tools to tell stories about human behavior.”
What's the added value of all that swiping? My project aims to provoke people to think about this question, which you can also apply to social media use."
Swiping and scrolling
Luka’s interest in the relationship between humans and technology is evident in his graduation project. “I developed an app where a circle appears on the phone screen, moving continuously. Users must prevent the circle from touching the edges of the screen by constantly swiping. Their movements look bizarre, but they are unaware of it. Moreover, what's the added value of all that swiping? My project aims to provoke people to think about this question, which you can also apply to social media use."
Circulation networks
As Luka nears graduation, he reflects on his time at the course. “What I found strong was the open and often playful approach. ArtEZ places a lot of emphasis on the core concept of an idea, encouraging you to take perspectives that are not everyday and pushing you to the limits of your creativity.” He gives an example. “I took a course on 'circulation networks.' We had to explore where these networks exist. Think of a library: books circulate from one borrower to another. Or public transport. Then we had to consider what we wanted to communicate to an audience about a network. My goal was to reveal invisible movements and microscopic patterns in communal spaces around the academy, like public restrooms. For instance, numbering each sheet of toilet paper or asking each user to color a tile. These kinds of assignments challenged me to be more expressive in my creative work.”
Being the critical voice
After completing his bachelor's degree, Luka plans to pursue a master’s at the Royal College of Art in London, following the Digital Direction program. In the future, he hopes to inspire people to think critically about the influence of rapid technological developments. “I want to talk about the beautiful and uncertain aspects of it. I believe it’s important not to blindly embrace scientific ‘progress’ but to always consider its pros and cons carefully.”
“First-years: have confidence”
What advice does Luka have for incoming Crossmedia Design students? “Above all, have confidence in your own development,” he says. “There is a lot of room within the course to chart your own path. I see that as a great advantage. But at the beginning of the program, the freedom of choice made me uncertain at times. With the help of teachers, I have been able to find my place in the creative field more and more. So, to first-years, I would say: you have four years to grow. Take that time and trust that it will be okay.”
Learn more about the Crossmedia Design bachelor's course
