How can the obsolescence of electronic devices become an opportuniny for design?
Abstract:
In the era of communication, electronic devices are the tools which allow us not only to interact with each other, but also to experience leisure times. Because of that we recognize them a special role in our lives, if not a very need.
According to that, the consequences of this state of the art tend to evolve on several layers, within a physical, a contextual and an emotional involvement. This deeply affects our dependency and the obsolescence of the object themselves, rising the complexity of the whole system: several components, repetition of the components thus of the functions in different electronics, fast dumping and not much recycling.
Indeed, we tend to invest them with value according to the relationship we have build up with and around them. Therefore, the way in which we perceive electronic devices changes according to the abilities of the user in the whole life cycle of the device. This process emphasizes the state of art it self as those popular devices are not known deeply by most of the users, who often tend to be stressed out by using them as well as to relate to them as mere status symbol, feeding consumerism and dumping places.
In the era of communication, electronic devices are the tools which allow us not only to interact with each other, but also to experience leisure times. Because of that we recognize them a special role in our lives, if not a very need.
According to that, the consequences of this state of the art tend to evolve on several layers, within a physical, a contextual and an emotional involvement. This deeply affects our dependency and the obsolescence of the object themselves, rising the complexity of the whole system: several components, repetition of the components thus of the functions in different electronics, fast dumping and not much recycling.
Indeed, we tend to invest them with value according to the relationship we have build up with and around them. Therefore, the way in which we perceive electronic devices changes according to the abilities of the user in the whole life cycle of the device. This process emphasizes the state of art it self as those popular devices are not known deeply by most of the users, who often tend to be stressed out by using them as well as to relate to them as mere status symbol, feeding consumerism and dumping places.
Bibliography:
Papanek, V., 1995, The green imperative, Thames & Hudston Inc., New York
McLuhan, M., and Fiore, Q., The medium is the massage, Jerome Agel
Greenpeace, Eliminate toxic chemicals, [online], http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics, [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Hi-tech: highly toxic, [online], http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, The e-waste problem, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Where does e-waste end up?, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/where-does-e-waste-end-up , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, How the companies line up?, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Solutions, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/solutions , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Recycling of electronics waste in China and India: workplace and environmental contamination, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/recyclingelectronicwasteindiachinafull.pdf , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Papanek, V., 1995, The green imperative, Thames & Hudston Inc., New York
McLuhan, M., and Fiore, Q., The medium is the massage, Jerome Agel
Greenpeace, Eliminate toxic chemicals, [online], http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics, [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Hi-tech: highly toxic, [online], http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, The e-waste problem, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Where does e-waste end up?, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/where-does-e-waste-end-up , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, How the companies line up?, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Solutions, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/solutions , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
Greenpeace, Recycling of electronics waste in China and India: workplace and environmental contamination, [online],
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/recyclingelectronicwasteindiachinafull.pdf , [Accessed 18 October 2008]
People research plan:
Research questions:
They will be aimed to understand both how electronics are build up and how they work as well as the way in which people tend to relate to them.
Experts:
Computer Scientist, E. A.;
Micro-electronic engineer, Luigi Montotti;
Electronic engineer
Telecommunication engineer
Technology and Health expert
Computer recycler, E. A.
Customer Assistant
Dumping company
Workers in a Dumping place
People
People I design for, how to involve them:
At this stage, I am interested to understand the way in which they relate to electronic devices. Further, I will ask them to test my prototypes expressing their opinions about and asking them suggestions.
Research methods and motivations:
My research approach would be different according to the purposes:
- books, magazines and web-sites: in order to understand the approaches and the problems which have been already addressed and maybe sorted out;
- interviews and/or questionaire: in order to understand the way in which users and experts deal with electronics devices;
- prototyping: in order to develop a work in progress tangible feedback and understand more quickly what I am designing.
A multifaceted approach is necessary in order to understand deeply the complexity I am dealing with.
Planning:
Throughout the rest of the first trimester I will read, interviewing, prototyping and testing prototypes.
During the first half term of the second trimester I will prototyping and testing prototypes at first, and if necessary carrying on interviewing and reading.
Research questions:
They will be aimed to understand both how electronics are build up and how they work as well as the way in which people tend to relate to them.
Experts:
Computer Scientist, E. A.;
Micro-electronic engineer, Luigi Montotti;
Electronic engineer
Telecommunication engineer
Technology and Health expert
Computer recycler, E. A.
Customer Assistant
Dumping company
Workers in a Dumping place
People
People I design for, how to involve them:
At this stage, I am interested to understand the way in which they relate to electronic devices. Further, I will ask them to test my prototypes expressing their opinions about and asking them suggestions.
Research methods and motivations:
My research approach would be different according to the purposes:
- books, magazines and web-sites: in order to understand the approaches and the problems which have been already addressed and maybe sorted out;
- interviews and/or questionaire: in order to understand the way in which users and experts deal with electronics devices;
- prototyping: in order to develop a work in progress tangible feedback and understand more quickly what I am designing.
A multifaceted approach is necessary in order to understand deeply the complexity I am dealing with.
Planning:
Throughout the rest of the first trimester I will read, interviewing, prototyping and testing prototypes.
During the first half term of the second trimester I will prototyping and testing prototypes at first, and if necessary carrying on interviewing and reading.
