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Memes—designed to flourish or doomed to divide?

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Published
Publication date12/09/2023
Host publicationFlourish by Design
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Pages35-38
Number of pages4
ISBN (electronic)9781003399568
ISBN (print)9781032507651
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Our world is infused with digital content. We can now create, access, share, and transform this content at incredible speeds. From the now-defunct Vines to GIFs to TikToks, there are many forms of highly spreadable media. The Web 2.0 was thought to democratise the spread of information, as the ability to create and upload became open to almost anyone with an internet-connected device. Designers and design researchers should explore the value memes can bring to their work, particularly in communication design. In this new digital space, technology allows us to connect with others who might previously have been unreachable and, by making these connections, is helping us to flourish by broadening our understanding. But do all memes have positive impacts, and is this still the case once these memes escape the control of the creator? How might designers use internet memes in their work?