Dezeen School Shows: an installation which features a pattern-generating machine to reflect migrant experiences is included in this school show by students at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

Also included is a project exploring language barriers which utilises 3D-printing and aluminium, whilst another aims to symbolise the positive impact that community can have.

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

Institution: Tecnologico de Monterrey
School: Design School
Course: Forma, función, sentido y valor
Tutors: José de la O, Pier Peruccio and Oscar Miranda

School statement:

"This experimental project, developed by design students at Tecnológico de Monterrey, explores the power of design beyond its traditional role as a problem-solving tool. Through this initiative, the students aim to understand and give voice to the emotional needs of migrants living in a state of perpetual transit in Tijuana.

"Guided by professors José de la O, Pier Peruccio and Oscar Miranda, the students employed critical design methodologies and physical computing to create interactive artefacts that convey the complex emotional experiences of migrants from diverse groups, including trans individuals, members of the LGBT community, those integrated into Mexican society, foreigners in Mexico and those fleeing domestic violence.

"We deeply appreciate the support of Centro32 for facilitating contact with migrants and for their essential collaboration in conducting interviews with a sensitive and respectful approach."

Ermitte by Alejandra Arano, Daniela Spíndola, Daniela Rodríguez and Samantha Alejandre

"Ermitte is a Haitian migrant woman in Tijuana, Mexico, facing significant communication and access challenges due to language barriers.

"Her native language is Creole, though she is in an environment where Spanish and English dominate.

"This need to communicate materialises in the piece by inviting users to decipher a hidden poem, facing communication barriers similar to those experienced by migrants.

"The difficult attempts to understand the machine reflect the connection between language, identity and the daily struggles of those trying to be understood in a new environment.

"Materials used include MDF, acetate, backlit printing, aluminium tubes, 3D-printing and Arduino."

Students: Alejandra Arano, Daniela Spíndola, Daniela Rodríguez and Samantha Alejandre
Course: Product Design, 6th semester
Tutors: José de la O, Pier Peruccio and Oscar Miranda

Marta by Daniella del Valle, Aline Cabrera and Illiana Cruz With the support of: Engineers Ismael Díaz and Héctor Arista

"Marta, 62, migrated from Honduras to Mexico for safety reasons. She is now settling in Tijuana with a humanitarian visa.

"Xanti reflects how community can bloom in their solitude, represented by an interactive artefact inspired by an iris flower.

"Marta in Mexico is compared to a closed flower that blooms when interacting with her loved ones, alleviating her loneliness."

Students: Daniella del Valle, Aline Cabrera and Illiana Cruz With the support of: Engineers Ismael Díaz and Héctor Arista
Course: Product Design, 6th semester

Angie by Sebastián Arroyo, Ana Karen Hernández, Brenda Lee and Paola Zárate

"This project is based on Angie, a Colombian migrant in Mexico. Her biggest challenge has been adapting to a daily routine. Her migration process taught her that daily life cannot be controlled; no matter how hard you try, change is inevitable.

"This is represented through a machine that generates patterns based on human interaction, representing the chaos of a migrant's life.

"It consists of three stages: a constant pattern (order), human interaction (trigger) and the result of that interaction (chaos and loss of daily routine).

"The goal is to generate empathy towards migrants who have lost their daily routine, inviting reflection on the importance of this in our lives.

"Materials used include aluminum, acrylic, MDF, sand, 3D-printing, servomotors and Arduino."

Students: Sebastián Arroyo, Ana Karen Hernández, Brenda Lee and Paola Zárate
Course: Product Design, 6th semester

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.