Intimate objects
From ThesisWiki
Contents |
Authors
Joseph 'Jofish' Kaye, Liz Goulding
Overview
The authors present initial work from an ongoing study of technological devices for maintaining intimacy at a distance. They use the notion of critical technical practice to inform their process and invert conventional wisdom. This results in three framing principles:
- They are building methods for couples to communicate with each other, not everyone else.
- These will be for specific couples, not a generic couple.
- They are for specific kinds of messages within that relationship, not all kinds of messages.
A variety of design concepts were created through participatory design sessions. The paper ends with a discussion of moving from "'efficent' computing to 'enchanting' computing" and the role of ambiguity and customizability.
Reflection
The inversion of traditional design notions such as generalizability and multi-use is interesting. This may be uniquely appropriate to the design of intimate objects since they can embody the essence of the specific context instead of being generic. One of the things I want to overcome is the "cold" nature of current communication mediums. The idea that you use a particular communication channel only for communication with a specific person may make it more meaningful. The idea of designing for a specific couple seems problematic since it just doesn't scale. An adaptable design that could be different things to different people may address this. I think the other two principles will be good to keep in mind. I should read more on this idea of critical technical practice.
