Developed during OCAD U's first remote delivery of the third-year Design for Health studio, Micro/Macro provides a window into the perspectives and passions of the students channeled through the course's prompts. Students challenge the new dimension of possibility by interpreting the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of opportunity, and reimagine the human experience in the given context.

The online exhibition and live panel are the results of the student-run initiative extending past the studio course's completion, with many participants assuming organization, communication, and design responsibilities to bring together Micro/Macro for showcase in the DesignTO Festival.

Participants: Natasha Alksnis, Deanna Badi, Alexander Burton, Daniel Cui, Begum Dawlatyan, Lawrence Paskaruk, Ernesto Ramirez, Yoonwoo Seo, Michelle Wong, Stanley Wong, Joseph Zhuang.

Exhibition Team: Natasha Alksnis, Alexander Burton, Begum Dawlatyan, Lawrence Paskaruk, Yoonwoo Seo, Michelle Wong, Joseph Zhuang

How is context for design established in a world that can change overnight? In the digital exhibition "Micro/Macro", we explore the intricacies of designing for health in a pandemic, delving into the mental and physical human needs of a socially distanced world. 

The exhibition features self-directed term projects with recontextualizations of healthcare prompted by the challenges faced during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and informed by the nuances of the human experience at the individual level and the collective level. Following the exhibitions opening, participating students will host an online panel discussion to expand upon their process leading to the exhibited solutions, followed by reflections addressing concepts of flexibility, agility, inclusivity and design within the ever-changing “new normal”.

Exhibition Management: Alexander Burton, with student support

Visuals: Natasha Alksnis, Michelle Wong

Website Team: Yoonwoo Seo, Michelle Wong, Joseph Zhuang

Social Media Team: Natasha Alksnis, Begum Dawlatyan, Joseph Zhuang

Live Panel Team: Natasha Alksnis, Lawrence Paskaruk

Supporting Professors: Angelika Seeschaaf-Veres, Ranee Lee

Email : micro.macro.ocadu@gmail.com

Instagram : @micromacro.ocad

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKyUL6NgjDo91Gi7IGYzdXA