Interior design as a way to communicate hybrid national identities

Abstract

The concept of hybrid national identity is examined in this thesis, as well as its relation to interior design and its virtual application in the real world through augmented reality. The practical component intends to merge Maltese and Sicilian identities through the creation of CENTONOVANTA, an app prototype that will allow users to decorate, or furnish any indoor environment in a hybrid manner using the AR function. The design process brought together the issues raised in tackling the question of which visual elements might contribute to the creation of national identity and where they can be found in Malta and Sicily. Theoreticians who investigated the notion of national identities and applied it to the design field, as well as the concept of hybrid in relation to space, the interior design field, and its components, were all considered. This allows for the formation and implementation of a qualitative research method based on direct observation throughout the project. I was able to photograph design elements that were important in the construction of Maltese and Sicilian identities. The displayed work (both at the University of Malta and on the corresponding online website) not only consists of the presentation of the app but also allows users to interact with the environment around them using the AR function within the app prototype, as well as gain a better understanding of the app's functionality through the website.