Empathy with Things
Strategies for sustainable interactions
We often discard products early. The most common reason is the expiration of their psychological lifecycle. Maybe there is a newer version on the market or the user’s preference changed. Therefore sustainable strategies should be developed that strengthen the relationship between subject and object. Within this thesis the three strategies autonomy, dependence, and storytelling were applied to anti-stress artifacts.
By assigning human aspects they generate emotional resonance within the user. Combined with tangible interactions this enhances longterm usage.
Presston – Dependency
In a longterm perspective, the object Presston needs just as much care as he gives to the user. He needs to be refilled regularly and his skin needs to be maintained. Object and user are dependent on each other.
Agneta – Autonomy
Agneta is an object that suggests the existence of a free will. Instead of reacting in an expected way, it behaves unpredictably. Unlike other liquids, it‘s filling melts when touched gently and hardens when
handled roughly.
Haarald – Storytelling
The object Haarald invites the user to touch and interact with it in many different ways. In doing so the
hair slowly grows. The longer the user interacts with the object the longer the hair gets. Instead of only
giving short term feedback it develops over time.
Cologne, 2018
Bachelor Thesis
Köln International School of Design
exhibited at:
KISDparcours 2018