Nikki Gerak - Multidisciplinary Designer

Nikki Gerak

Multidisciplinary Designer

During my Design studies at Goldsmiths, I cultivated a dynamic approach to design thinking, exploring its potential beyond conventional boundaries. I gained a profound understanding of design’s impact on society, culture, and the environment, viewing it as a complex interplay of systems and actions rather than merely practical skills.<br><br>My final year project centred on a thorough investigation into the future prospects of AI technology, particularly focusing on detecting cultural biases. This project involved analysing 60 children's books using Natural Language Processing to explore how gender and minorities are depicted. The study quantified the representation and descriptions of different demographic groups, assessing biases within these texts. A creative writing tool, in the form of an application and play cards, was developed based on words associated with specific genders from the analysis.<br><br>The project also experimented with using an AI writing tool, to generate content, revealing limitations in AI's understanding of complex language and biases. The final outcome was 'Tales are for,' a collection of interviews and essays addressing controversial issues and biases in society. This book challenges adult readers to reflect on biases in children's literature and the broader world.

A Book By An AI

The task for this project was to design an architectural intervention for a given public space. The project was inspired by the railway arches in Deptford, London. The arches have been silently watching life commencing in Deptford since 1835. This was London's first Railway construction and reportedly the first suburban railway in the world, built to serve the growing community and as a means for carriages to reach the station above. In this given space we planned and executed a public exhibition celebrating the rich history of the arches.

The Environment

TAF is a Creative Writing Tool designed for the purpose of teaching the user to think on different levels when it comes to using descriptive language, for specific genders. I used Natural Language Processing as part of my research and then based the content of the application, from the results. This content challenges the players to analyze and consider their learned biases. The application was created using Figma and Javascript.

Creative Writing

Costume design for “Zombies Aliens and Others”. According to the project brief, my responsibility was to visualise and create the character's look. During the working process, I used the necessary methods it takes to navigate a focus group and the kind of action required in order to respond to a participant's needs.

At the end of my first year at Goldsmiths, University of London I designed a computer game called 'Mania'. My aim was to capture, define and represent the 'essence' of a maniac act, in this case, when the user is aimlessly trying to 'catch' certain objects with words on it. At the end of the game there is a proposed question from the collected objects. To build this game I use HTML and Javascript.

Collection of paintings I made using watercolour and acrylic paint on various surfaces such as canvas, wooden panel and paper. My paintings are made in a quirky, humorous style. Very simple subjects with lots of imperfections.

Acrylics and watercolours

Collection of drawings, and collages I made. These pictures are part of my many sketchbooks. Two of my favourite techniques are line drawing and collage.