Sexual Health: Synthesis Presentation

While a student at the Austin Center of Design, we were assigned a group research project. My team chose women's sexual health. The goal of the class was to conduct research, synthesis our findings, and then generate possible design ideas or "implications" due to that research .

This was the deck we used for our synthesis presentation.

Transcript

1. SEX
2. Celine Thibault | David Bill | Meg McLaughlin
3. FOCUS SYNTHESIS INSIGHTS
4. FOCUS
5. How women feel about sexual health and sex
6. Taco Cunt Pussy Vajayjay Oyster Beaver Fur Pie Twat Peehole Snatch Cooch Slit Cooter Hole Cherry Box Poon Vag Clam Peach Flower VAGINA
7. The world health organization defines sexual health as “…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality…”
8. 3 weeks 15 interviews 800-ish utterances
9. SYNTHESIS
10. UTTERANCES
11. INTERPRETATIONS
12. INSIGHTS
13. INSIGHTS
14. Rebecca
15. Rebecca “[I talk to my friends about] anything really…things come up where it’s like…’I don’t really know how to talk to him about, like, if I want to do this together. How would you bring that up?’ and we talk about all kinds of stuff.”
16. Adrianna
17. Adrianna “I didn’t talk to [my mom] for many years because I was in the closet… I talked to my friends who were gay."
18. Women prefer to talk about sex health with friends over parents & partners because there’s less emotional consequence. We run through difficult conversations with close friends before talking to partners or family. We’re less likely to be alienated by friends who may have gone through similar experiences and who are not as emotionally invested in our sexual relationships. Insight No. 1
19. Kendra
20. Kendra “…Most of my friends were already sexually active by then…and I wasn’t but they were so me being on birth control wasn’t a big deal because they already were.”
21. Alina
22. Alina “Just friends, just public information and the internet. School. Seeing things–we’ve all been to parties.”
23. We conform our sexual values to match those of our friends, but they don’t know anymore than we do. Women are curious about sex but school programs lack relevant sex education. We turn to our friends to discuss sex and our bodies but they are no more knowledgeable than we are. We define “normal” through friends which helps to avoid judgement. Insight No. 2
24. Becky
25. Becky “I’d super pat myself on the back for not jumping in.”
26. Alina
27. Alina “You hear friends talking about [sex] you’re either like, ‘oh, goddamn, I wish I was in that position’ or you’re like, ‘glad I’m not’ so you get to choose how you feel.”
28. Comparing ourselves to peers evokes a sense of pride or judgement. A woman’s values are defined by her experiences. Her often misinformed understanding of sex defines what she thinks is worthy of pride or judgement in herself or in others. Insight No. 3
29. Chloe
30. Chloe “It’s ingrained in women from the time we are put here-we are here on this earth-that we have a lot to be ashamed of.”
31. Chloe “Mostly if I have questions about what’s going on inside, I’ll go to Google.”
32. The Internet is an attractive alternative to friends and family because questions can be asked without any ramifications. Women fear judgement of their bodies and their sexual behaviors. A woman’s avoidance of being seen ignorant leads her online. The Internet offers a sense of anonymity and “reliability” that women trust more than their family and friends. Insight No. 4
33. Chloe
34. Chloe “I don’t know how this person will take it. Like if it’s not somebody you really know that well. Will it ruin the mood?”
35. Kendra
36. Kendra “Uh yeah, no – I don’t really do that. I haven’t done that before… It’s uncomfortable.”
37. Women need to please others to be accepted. Women are uncomfortable initiating conversations about their bodies and expressing their needs and wants with partners. We choose instead to stay quiet and hope for the best lest we expose ourselves and risk upsetting established cultural norms. Insight No. 5
38. • Women want to talk to their friends about sex.
 • We conform our sexual values to match those of our friends, but they don’t know anymore than 
 we do.
 • Comparing ourselves to peers evokes a sense of pride or judgement.
 • The Internet is an attractive alternative to friends and family because questions can be asked without any ramifications.
 • Women need to please others to be accepted. Insights
39. Lucy
40. Lucy “I have more ability to speak to it, call it out, bring awareness, and it makes me feel safer and whole in myself.”
41. Empowering women in their sexuality threatens existing norms and women choose ignorance over judgement. Guiding Insight
42. Safe spaces without judgement
43. THANK YOU
44. Q&A