ABSTRACT

Disruptive design is a convoluted idea that can be understood differently across different contexts. From commercial application to social change, certain theories and frameworks have supported the journey towards varied goals. By no means does this dissertation argue in favour or opposition of any political standpoint sensitive to Hong Kong. Instead, it dissects the meaning of disruptive design, and a design-oriented evaluation of this unique approach to sociopolitical change. As a Design Management student, my theoretical understanding of Design Thinking greatly aided my exploration into disruptive design theory. Upon writing my dissertation, I was pleasantly surprised to find overlaps between my course learnings and dissertation topic; not only did it help reaffirm my learning, I was able to situate my research and analytical skills in the most rigorous academic practice I have ever undertaken.

My dissertation answers the question: “What is disruptive design and how is it being utilised to navigate sociopolitical change in Hong Kong?”. Firstly, three concepts of disruptive design are explored in the forms of a mindset, systems theory and method. Concurrently, supporting examples of disruptive design forms are diversified in social, cultural and commercial contexts to provide a holistic review. My research question continues to be addressed by establishing links between the three forms of disruptive design and tactics utilised by Hong Kong activists. To constrain my research, I analysed the tactics of the most recent political demonstrations in 2019 exclusively. As context, a brief account of Hong Kong’s political landscape, rationale behind the protests, and the escalation of these events are also reviewed. After responding to how the features of disruptive design have navigated Hong Kong’s sociopolitical change, I concluded with a cultural and ethical evaluation of how this approach could be perceived in terms of effectiveness and implications.

Secondary research methods include, but were not limited to, digital safari, guerrilla research and various studies I found in support of my research response. The main literatures studied closely were drawn from the “Disruptive Mindset Model” (Brett, 2018), “Places to Leverage a System” (Meadows, 1997) and “The Disruptive Design Method Handbook” (Acaroglu, 2017). Primary methods undertaken as a short survey also supplemented my response in drawing connections to youth mindsets in Hong Kong with Brett’s model. In doing so, my dissertation holistically responds to the research question, taking into account the multi-faceted nature of disruptive design, and Hong Kong sociopolitical change.