Extinguishing Patriarchy
Julia Casanova Abós
In this project I address how design can inform change of man-made hierarchies. I sought to do this by exploring a field overwhelmingly dominated by men. Gendered struggles are prominent in firefighting. The lack of women in the force feeds into inadequate working conditions, and the hardships that women face deter others from becoming firefighters or from staying on the job. Ignoring women’s requirements in this field only sends the message that their safety is unimportant and that their labor has less value. Although different bodies have different needs, all research focuses around the default fireman, and women do not have access to properly fitting PPE. Ill-fitting equipment results in higher rates of injury not only for the women wearing it, but also for their coworkers and the community.
In this project I address how design can inform change of man-made hierarchies. I sought to do this by exploring a field overwhelmingly dominated by men. Gendered struggles are prominent in firefighting. The lack of women in the force feeds into inadequate working conditions, and the hardships that women face deter others from becoming firefighters or from staying on the job. Ignoring women’s requirements in this field only sends the message that their safety is unimportant and that their labor has less value. Although different bodies have different needs, all research focuses around the default fireman, and women do not have access to properly fitting PPE. Ill-fitting equipment results in higher rates of injury not only for the women wearing it, but also for their coworkers and the community.
I am exploring protective equipment that also helps improve job performance. With the focus on a glove that helps perform the task of feeding the hose. Among the characteristic elements of the design, the fingertips are seamless which greatly improves dexterity. There is a reinforcement in the back of the hand, where it is more likely for firefighters to get burnt. The glove also has both a ring finger and wrist reinforcement that act as a guide for the hose and help with applying more strength and enabling a more secure grip.
I am exploring protective equipment that also helps improve job performance. With the focus on a glove that helps perform the task of feeding the hose. Among the characteristic elements of the design, the fingertips are seamless which greatly improves dexterity. There is a reinforcement in the back of the hand, where it is more likely for firefighters to get burnt. The glove also has both a ring finger and wrist reinforcement that act as a guide for the hose and help with applying more strength and enabling a more secure grip.
Julia Casanova Abós
Julia Casanova Abós
¡Hola!
I am a Spanish designer from Huesca living in New York. I recently graduated from MFA in Industrial Design at Parsons. My work focuses in the influences of design in human relations and culture, focusing on its ability to create or destroy hierarchies. My current exploration centers around gendered realities and how they can be challenged by design. I am very interested in the intersection of safety, labor and gender, and how hegemonic masculinity reinforces safety and health inequalities.
Contact
Contact
Name: Julia Casanova Abós
Email: julia.casanova.abos@gmail.com
Resume
Resume