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Existential Objects
2022
Tools
Explores alternative ways of designing interfaces by rethinking ways of relaying digital information about the presence of others in a digitally mediated collaborative work.
Role
Creative direction, Physical production
BACKGROUND & APPROACH
Everyday objects around us use subtle cues to alert us to a situation, such as a ticking clock notifying us of the passage of time. Taking inspiration from it and hacking into everyday objects might well give implications for designing interfaces that go beyond the usual screen and see how it could be embedded into our lives.
This new perspective on how our interfaces are designed could be used as a starting point in rethinking how we interact with digital information. The objects try to play with the notion that we don’t need the full information to make sense of the situation, in a way building a schematic model of the situation. This is a base for starting to think about the balance of separation and connectedness of interacting through technology.
OUTCOMES
A modified printer that acknowledges when you’re present or not and randomly greets, asks you questions, or just keeps watch on you. Blurring the line between lack of presence and lack of absence through the frequency of its activity.
A modified flip clock responds to the presence of someone in the digital workspace. The flip clock will react by turning to signal who is in the workspace. Playing with the idea of relaying the information in forms other than a visual signifier.
A publication which contains photo documentation along with sketches of the making process depicts the evolution of an everyday object into a new form of interface, highlighting what aspect each step of the process focuses on.
For the online audience, a website containing the research, process, and final outcome is available.
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