Curious Gestures: Inviting Curiosity in and out of the Classroom

The short paper presentation introduces a framework for creating moments of curiosity and then shows how that framework might be used to document moments of curiosity. It asserts that the field of motion design can meaningfully contribute to how curiosity is documented and made more understandable.
Presented at the Motion Design Educators (MODE) conference on June 10, 2023 in Philadelphia.

Transcript

1. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 I N N G I T I V Cassini Nazir Assistant Professor College of Visual Arts and Design University of North Texas Motion Design Education Conference Philadelphia · 10 June 2023 Eric Farrar Associate Professor School of Arts, Humanities & Technology The University of Texas at Dallas
2. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 2 1 What are ways we can increase our curiosity, and, if possible, how we might invite others to be curious? 2 What are ways designers extend care to those with whom they build as well as that which they choose to build?
3. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 CURIOSITY > EMPATHY Philosophy & Science tone and tenor of curiosity Psychology how curiosity manifests Education how curiosity edifies Arts & Design how experiences might intrigue Plato Aristotle Apuelius Augustine Francis Bacon Thomas Hobbes David Hume Plutarch Seneca Galileo Speculative design Dunne & Raby Reflective practice Donald Schön Making Strange Viktor Shklovsky Estrangement Bertolt Brecht Self-Estrangement Eugene Ionesco Post-humanism Rosi Braidotti Alterity Ihde & Verbeek Strange-making Genevieve Bell Exformation Kenya Hara Design for Care Peter Jones Post-human pluralism Ron Wakkary Personal Growth Todd Kashdan Novelty Edward Deci Interest/Deprivation Jordan Litman Information Gap
 George Lowenstein Workplace curiosity Spencer Harrison Wheel of Emotions Robert Plutchik Sensation Seeking Marvin Zuckerman Optimal arousal Dan Berlyne Ethics of curiosity Sundar Sarukkai Knowledge gap William James Social / intellectual John Dewey Sensory curiosity 
 Jean Piaget Social Curiosity Britta Renner 3 C There is no monolithic view of curiosity.
4. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 CURIOSITY > EMPATHY Philosophy & Science tone and tenor of curiosity Psychology how curiosity manifests Education how curiosity edifies Arts & Design how experiences might intrigue Plato Aristotle Apuelius Augustine Francis Bacon Thomas Hobbes David Hume Plutarch Seneca Galileo Speculative design Dunne & Raby Reflective practice Donald Schön Making Strange Viktor Shklovsky Estrangement Bertolt Brecht Self-Estrangement Eugene Ionesco Post-humanism Rosi Braidotti Alterity Ihde & Verbeek Strange-making Genevieve Bell Exformation Kenya Hara Design for Care Peter Jones Post-human pluralism Ron Wakkary Personal Growth Todd Kashdan Novelty Edward Deci Interest/Deprivation Jordan Litman Information Gap
 George Lowenstein Workplace curiosity Spencer Harrison Wheel of Emotions Robert Plutchik Sensation Seeking Marvin Zuckerman Optimal arousal Dan Berlyne Ethics of curiosity Sundar Sarukkai Knowledge gap William James Social / intellectual John Dewey Sensory curiosity 
 Jean Piaget Social Curiosity Britta Renner 4 Curiosity Studies
5. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 WHAT IS CURIOSITY? 5 Curiosity Studies: A New Ecology of Knowledge Perry Zurn and Arjun Shankar Curiosity Studies traverses the many disciplinary and experiential contexts in which curiosity appears… “
6. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 WHAT IS CURIOSITY? 6 Curiosity Studies: A New Ecology of Knowledge Perry Zurn and Arjun Shankar Curiosity Studies traverses the many disciplinary and experiential contexts in which curiosity appears, 
 in order to generate theories, analytics, and practices of curiosity… “
7. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 WHAT IS CURIOSITY? 7 Curiosity Studies: A New Ecology of Knowledge Perry Zurn and Arjun Shankar Curiosity Studies traverses the many disciplinary and experiential contexts in which curiosity appears, 
 in order to generate theories, analytics, and practices of curiosity that are as complex and ubiquitous as the phenomenon of curiosity itself.” “
8. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 WHAT IS CURIOSITY? 8 Multiple transgresses disciplinary borders + requires immensely flexible thought patterns Political manifested in sociocultural spheres with inherited hierarchies and values Praxiological practiced across physical, conceptual, and social spaces, expressed in behaviors, habits, architectures, and movements Created by Oleksandr Panasovskyi from the Noun Project Created by Oleksandr Panasovskyi from the Noun Project Created by Oleksandr Panasovskyi from the Noun Project Curiosity’s unbounded inquiry centers on three principles… Zurn and Shankar, xii
9. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 WHAT IS CURIOSITY? 9 Zurn and Shankar, xii Curiosity’s unbounded inquiry centers on three principles… Multiple transgresses disciplinary borders + requires immensely fl Political manifested in sociocultural spheres with inherited hierarchies and values Praxiological practiced across physical, conceptual, and social spaces, expressed in behaviors, habits, architectures, and movements Created by Oleksandr Panasovskyi from the Noun Project Created by Oleksandr Panasovskyi from the Noun Project Created by Oleksandr Panasovskyi from the Noun Project
10. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 Coaxing curiosity to come forward is challenging. 10 Huh? Hmm...
11. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 invitation 11 Nazir, 2020, 2022
12. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 invitation trust approaches elicits emotions anticipation awe distraction frustration interest reflection splendor inquisitiveness speculation wonder challenge delay hide humor novelty obscure playfulness perceptual sensory tease 12 Nazir, 2020, 2022
13. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 invitation response trust 13 Nazir, 2020, 2022
14. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 invitation response inflection 14 trust Nazir, 2020, 2022
15. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 surprise invitation response reward 15 trust Nazir, 2020, 2022
16. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 trust surprise 16 response accepted reward joy + connection invitation playfulness inquisitiveness → Nazir, 2020, 2022
17. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 17 Laban Movement Analysis is a language for describing human movement. Rudolf Laban
18. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 18 Three aspects make up the effort. WEIGHT Strong Light SPACE Indirect Direct TIME Sustained Sudden Strong Light Direct Sudden Sustained
19. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 19 The combination of those three aspects yield various efforts. Strong Light Dabbing Gliding Floating Wringing Slashing Thrusting Pressing Flicking Direct Sudden Sustained Indirect
20. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Strong Light Dabbing Gliding Floating Wringing Slashing Thrusting Pressing Flicking Direct Sudden Sustained Indirect 20 thrusting or “punching” Strong Thrusting Sudden WEIGHT Strong Light SPACE Indirect Direct TIME Sustained Sudden
21. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 21 thrusting or “punching” WEIGHT Strong Light SPACE Indirect Direct TIME Sustained Sudden
22. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Strong Light Dabbing Gliding Floating Wringing Slashing Thrusting Pressing Flicking Direct Sudden Sustained Indirect 22 floating or “suspended” WEIGHT Strong Light SPACE Indirect Direct TIME Sustained Sudden Light Floating Sustained Indirect
23. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 23 floating or “suspended” WEIGHT Strong Light SPACE Indirect Direct TIME Sustained Sudden
24. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 24 There are at least eight efforts within the system. flicking wringing dabbing punching floating slashing gliding pressing flexible · sudden · light flexible · sustained · strong direct · sudden · light direct · sudden · strong flexible · sustained · light sudden · strong · flexible sustained · light · direct direct · sustained · strong Strong Light Dabbing Gliding Floating Wringing Slashing Thrusting Pressing Flicking Direct Sudden Sustained Indirect
25. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 25 surprise invitation response reward trust Nazir, 2020, 2022
26. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 26 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly Satiated Cook a new recipe and enjoy the meal
27. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 27 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly curiosity interrupted Exploration of curiosity is interrupted by external source and not returned Satiated Cook a new recipe and enjoy the meal Interrupted Visitor interrupts the end of a live TV show
28. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 28 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly curiosity interrupted Exploration of curiosity is interrupted by external source and not returned curiosity unsustained Exploration of curiosity is unsustained (internally) and not returned Satiated Cook a new recipe and enjoy the meal Interrupted Visitor interrupts the end of a live TV show Unsustained Abandon a book after the first few pages
29. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 29 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly curiosity interrupted Exploration of curiosity is interrupted by external source and not returned curiosity unsustained Exploration of curiosity is unsustained (internally) and not returned serendipitous curiosity An accidental or unexpected reward Satiated Cook a new recipe and enjoy the meal Interrupted Visitor interrupts the end of a live TV show Unsustained Abandon a book after the fi Serendipity Discover coins in the couch
30. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 30 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly curiosity interrupted Exploration of curiosity is interrupted by external source and not returned curiosity unsustained Exploration of curiosity is unsustained (internally) and not returned serendipitous curiosity An accidental or unexpected reward perseverance An unhurried curiosity with slow-but- sustained interest Satiated Cook a new recipe and enjoy the meal Interrupted Visitor interrupts the end of a live TV show Unsustained Abandon a book after the fi Serendipity Discover coins in the couch Perseverance Complete a complicated jigsaw puzzle
31. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Our curiosity follows common patterns. ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 31 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly curiosity interrupted Exploration of curiosity is interrupted by external source and not returned curiosity unsustained Exploration of curiosity is unsustained (internally) and not returned serendipitous curiosity An accidental or unexpected reward perseverance An unhurried curiosity with slow-but- sustained interest continuous curiosity A reward that provides surprise more than once or in an ongoing way Satiated Cook a new recipe and enjoy the meal Interrupted Visitor interrupts the end of a live TV show Unsustained Abandon a book after the fi Serendipity Discover coins in the couch Perseverance Complete a complicated jigsaw puzzle Continuous Baby responds to peekaboo with parent
32. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 Trace out in the air your current curiosity… ARTIFACTS FROM CURIOSITY 32 curiosity satiated Exploration of curiosity is rewarded meaningfully or satisfyingly curiosity interrupted Exploration of curiosity is interrupted by external source and not returned curiosity unsustained Exploration of curiosity is unsustained (internally) and not returned serendipitous curiosity An accidental or unexpected reward perseverance An unhurried curiosity with slow-but- sustained interest continuous curiosity A reward that provides surprise more than once or in an ongoing way
33. Inviting curiosity · mode 2023 · 23 August 2022 33 Learn more at unknowing.design Cassini Nazir Assistant Professor University of North Texas cassini@unt.edu