TITLE:
E-Grief
CONTEXT:
ID Green
Circular Design Forum, Dutch Design Week '24
ROLE:
DESIGNER STORYTELLER
EXPERTISE AREAS:
USER & SOCIETY
CREATIVITY & AESTHETICS
TECHNOLOGY & REALIZATION
MATERIALS:
Clay, Grief of the Artificial
E-grief was the continuation of a concept made in quartile 4 of the 1st year. While initially a small part of the ID Green Course, the concept was expanded into a prototype following an invitation to showcase it at Dutch Design Week for the Circular Design Forum.
The prototype was a physical manifestation of the proto-practice developed from practice orientated design. Working in a multidisciplinary group, we combined the different perspectives of our studies to create an installation that explored the emotional residue left behind by obsolete technology. E-waste, as it has grown to become named is prevalent in modern society. Once new devices are purchased, old ones are usually kept for the sake of nostalgia . Taking a look at the irony in finding nostalgia over something artificial, the practice involves users to grieve their devices, rather than discarding them. This ritualization of parting provides closure, without needing explanation. By remebering the device’s memory through a QR code stamped in clay, users are reminded of the fragility of memories, and how the physical device itself can move on to find a new life.
This project taught me how the impact of an interaction has nothing to do with it’s complexity; a simple clay replacement can still hold meaning. My PDP goal of practicing non-verbal design was met, teaching me a lesson on communication societal themes. This was the project that bridged the transition between my 1st year and 2nd year; I used to see meaning as something that came from functionality, but now see it as something that can appear from presence alone.
Moving forward, I plan to further incorporate the materialization of emotion without explicit use of language. I hope to explore how simple material interactions can offer moments of reflection, such as how the fragility of clay spoke for itself.