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When people ask me to describe my research there’s always an awkward pause. “It’s a little, complicated… ,” I start. I don’t want to seem lazy or condescending, but it’s impossible to prepare a single appropriate response. The issue has come up a number of times recently because of the range of people I’ve met, professions including, but not limited to: designer, art director, artist, curator, writer, editor, anthropologist, school teacher, history PhD candidate, med student. Do I go for the kawaii angle—which requires an explanation of how I arrived at “cuteness” as a graphic visual language to avoid seeming entirely frivolous—or instead launch straight into my current interest in surface? Perhaps I should start at the beginning with my umbrella topic: visual language exchange between Japan and the West, which stems from my undergraduate research on Western Colonization and the Meiji Era. No, that’s a bit much …

I’ve realized this is itself a design problem, a matter of audience and framing. It’s not that I don’t know what to say, but rather what to leave out. Is this listener actually interested, or just being polite? Do they want a quick answer or a conversation? (This is pretty easy to gauge based on the number of follow-up questions.) Moving on … What does this person do? Are they a designer? If not, do they know what graphic design is, and why one would get an MFA in it? Do they know what Fulbright is? Should I mention Fulbright? (I don’t want to seem like a show-off, but I also want my research to sound legitimate, despite the bejeweling!) Do they live in Japan or are they just visiting? (I’ve often felt that my work resonates more for Westerners with some connection to Japan.) Are they male or female? (My work’s pretty girly right now.) Are they familiar with my thesis? Do the words “visual language” produce a blank stare or a knowing gesture? I could go on and on … the point is, I never know what I’m starting with, so there’s always a period of testing the waters. I’m still working out the best approach, because I don’t know how to explain this to you is probably not a good strategy!

Acknowledging this problem has inspired me to create a series of information graphics that parse out the various topics/phenomena in question. (To come.) I think this will clarify and simplify the research, and help me frame my work based on shifting contexts and parameters.