Peek-a-drawer: communication by furniture
From ThesisWiki
Contents |
Authors
Itiro Siio, Jim Rowan, Elizabeth Mynatt
Overview
Peek-a-drawer is set of identical chests, each with two drawers. For each chest one of the drawers is a normal space for storing items, and the other contains a screen that shows an image of what is in the other chest's corresponding drawer. In this way two people who are living at a distance can use the drawers as a lightweight communication medium by simply placing items into the upper drawer.
Reflection
The interaction is so simple, and the mapping of two drawers -- one here and one there -- is compelling. This is clearly designed for two people to use privately and the fact that the image is "secret" by concealing it in the drawer could allow for intimate and emotional connections. I could imagine two people replacing drawer items every morning -- or emptying the contents of their pockets into the drawer every night. In this respect it reminds me of the Gustbowl.
