Active objects, passive dramas: How may design re-appropriate tools from the art of dramaturgy in the service of developing more meaningful products?

Abstract

Looking to develop my professional design practice in the field of product design, I pursued this research project in order to further my product development skills and gain further understanding of design theories and research techniques. As a designer my interests are orientated toward the social and cultural affects of products. It was important for me to pursue a project that would allow me to explore new theoretical frameworks useful in generating design strategies for future design practice.

Inspired by the ‘fizz moments’ that some products create, such as the cracking of a coke can or the pop of the wine cork, I searched for ways that the most banal objects when re-designed can potentially develop meaningful dimensions in the everyday.

With these concepts in mind, I was inspired to direct my research toward exploring the role of product experiences, and how product design could potentially contribute to the development of meaningful everyday experiences. Embracing designs often overlooked ability to compose and orchestrate human behavior; the research question will investigate strategies to bring about new textures to everyday experiences.

Searching beyond traditional product design frameworks the project turns to the potential of theatre in the service of designing meaningful products. These techniques will assist in the construction of a linear design process that could potentially shift a design direction from functional and aesthetically driven products, to objects which play more potent roles in contributing to human experiences.

The project aims to deliver conceptual and prototyped products that evaluate and illuminate strategies for orchestrating more textured user experiences.