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| Introduction / Preliminary Research / IDEAS & CONTENT / The Project: Curious Displays / Project Development / Experiential Prototype / Conclusion |
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USE VS. NON-USE Utility, or use, can be thought of as a fundamental measure of purpose and success in our technological objects. This utility is largely compartmentalized from object to object. A toaster is for toasting. A washing machine is for washing. A cell phone is for calling. A computer is for computing. Objects are appliances, things of utility, of defined purpose. In no way am I suggesting that a toaster become a multi-functional toaster / scheduler / printer / shoe shiner. Rather, an understanding of the other end of the spectrum is when things become particularly interesting. In contrast to our technological objects of utility are our objects of play. These objects are often deemed toys—miniature robotic dinosaurs, toy cars, virtual pets that exist as a copy of things that exist in life. Robotic humanoids have been developed replicating bipedal movement, walking, running. Even human features and displays of emotion (laughter, surprise, sadness, etc.) have been modeled in recent years through advancements in robotics. A peculiar dichotomy is quickly apparent in the analysis of these two somewhat opposing categorizations of technology. One creates a seemingly rigidly utilitarian role for our objects, the other is a mimicry of things that exist in real life. However, objects will never be just objects, they naturally acquire different roles and personalities, taking on anthropomorphic qualities to us as we live with them. A mug isn’t just a mug; it’s My Lucky Mug That I Drink Out Of Every Day Before Work. A sock is sad because it’s missing its partner. The car is angry and refuses to start—did I do something to make it upset? And technology, however advanced in its mimicry, will never be able to be quite up to par with its real-life counterpart in its attempt to emulate life. Thus, a hybrid space needs to be explored, one that blurs the boundaries between use and non-use, between function and play. This space would allow technological objects to take on personalities and behavior “natural” to their function and form. We all know too well that a cell phone isn’t just a phone—it’s a companion, a distraction, a toy, and a tool, all at once, and almost of its own doing. The phone is utilitarian, yet takes on a sense of personality and purpose separate from its fundamental utility and seemingly dinstinct to itself. How might we as designers begin to design within this hybrid space? |
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CURIOUS DISPLAYS. Copyright 2009. Media Design Program, Art Center College of Design. About Julia Tsao. Acknowledgements & Thanks.