1. DIRECTED RESEARCH
Ray Mancini | Prof. Tom Klinkowstein | Tuesday, 6 pm
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2. “Limitations force us to be creative and explore different techniques”
- Theo Watson, Interactive Artist
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

3. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Most modern speech therapies have flaws,
and no single technique works for everyone.
Does being a designer, or thinking as a
designer would, offer the foundation for a
new method of therapy?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

4. HYPOTHESIS
This thesis presents the hypothesis that design methodology may offer
a partial solution to overarching flaws in modern day speech therapies.
In contrast to current stuttering techniques, which often set unrealistic
expectations of perfection or focus on only one area for improvement,
design thinking examines a problem from all sides and welcomes the
imperfections and mistakes that regularly lead to a stronger solution.
Therapies often subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach, or ignore the
necessary self-motivation and understanding that will allow stutterers
to truly change their behaviors, while designers realize that every
project requires a unique approach that moves beyond pre-conceived
limitations.
Such research and comparison of design’s visual communication
process could bring interdisciplinary insight into understanding and
circumventing the limited verbal communication of stutterers.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

5. Flaw/Design Comparisons
FLAW Expectation of perfection.
DESIGN Mistakes are aesthetically desirable.
FLAW Narrow treatment focus.
DESIGN Look at all aspects of a problem (context, history,
environment) to achieve a successful solution.
FLAW No streamlining/filtering of spoken content.
DESIGN Simplify a larger message to the core essence.
FLAW Many “one-size-fits-all” approaches
DESIGN Every problem needs a unique approach.
FLAW Limitations will never allow “normal” communication
DESIGN Limitations force us to be creative and explore different
techniques to communicate.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

6. ADRIAN HILL
ARTIST, ART THERAPIST, EDUCATOR (1895-1977)
British Artist who discovered the therapeutic
benefits of drawing and painting while recovering
from tuberculosis
Coined the term ‘art therapy’
Said the value of art therapy lay in ‘completely
engrossing the mind (as well as the fingers)
Suggested artistic work to his fellow inpatients, who
were documented in 1945 in a book, under the title,
Art Versus Illness
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

7. CHARLES VAN RIPER
STUTTERER, SPEECH PATHOLOGIST (1905 - 1994)
Pioneer in the development of speech pathology.
Developed “Stuttering Modification therapy”,
which focused on reducing the fears and
anxieties of stutterers.
Stutterers should become aware of everything
they do...from anticipation of stuttering, to
struggling during a block, and to the utterance
of the word.
“Stuttering is everything we do trying not
to stutter”.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

8. MALCOLM FRASER
PHILANTHROPIST, BUSINESSMAN, STUTTERER (1903 - 1994)
Founded the Stuttering Foundation of America
Gave $10 million dollars over his lifetime towards
stuttering research.
Authored “Self-Therapy for the Stutterer”, providing
guidance for stutterers to help themselves without
conventional therapy.
Outlined a series of objectives and challenges that
would serve as a map for adult stutterers.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

9. OUTLINE
My Story
Hypothesis
Speech Disfluency • Overview
• Types of Available Therapies
• Therapy Shortcomings / Flaws
Design Methodology • Overview
• Evolution of design methodologies through history
• A number of design methodologies
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

10. VALORIZED DESIGNER
“The valorized designer should see design for its major potential
contribution to making the quality of life richer and more sustainable.”
By using design methodologies to find solutions to flaws in speech
therapy, my thesis has the potential to alter in the lives of many
stutterers, including myself. The final output may be a new and unique
addition to the fields of design AND speech therapy.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

11. VALORIZED DESIGNER
“It is important that (designers) see how the ideas they are studying
are changing: where the ideas have come from, how they have
changed, and how they may develop.”
By studying historical and contemporary design methodologies, as
well as speech therapies, I can arrive at a well-informed solution for
my thesis. While I have initial ideas of how to proceed, new avenues
and directions may become apparent to me only after intensive
research.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

12. VALORIZED DESIGNER
“The valorized designer will be to evaluate design as an integral and
integrated part of a particular society.”
By presenting design methodologies as answers to speech therapy
flaws, my thesis will show how design itself can aid a very large group
of people afflicted with a severe limitation. This places design in direct
relation to a stuttering community that may not yet be aware of
design’s potential to add significantly to their conversation. If my
explorations can provide solutions, it will further reinforce design’s
great value to society.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011