This is the full academic thesis behind Caboodle — my research into how digital platforms can support intersectional queer identity, community, and safe social interaction in South Africa.
The research combined ethnographic fieldwork, participatory design methods, and interaction design principles. I interviewed community members, observed existing digital and physical spaces, and tested design prototypes with real users throughout the process.
The thesis was completed at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Visual Arts in 2020. If you’re a researcher, student, or just interested in the intersection of design and social justice, feel free to reach out for access.