The smartphone is unquestionably the object of the century and has become an unfailing extension of every individual. However, the constant use of these devices and the pervasiveness of installed applications is a constant source of distraction and discomfort. The ambiguity about the separation of work and personal activities, the constant solicitation of notifications, the use, until late in the evening, of a screen whose brightness disrupts the normal rhythm of sleep, the stress F.O.M.O. involving constant consultations of news and social media, and musculoskeletal pain, are just some of the problems we struggle with every day.
All this leads to a number of problems such as, for example, anxiety disorders, concentration difficulties, postural abnormalities and visual imbalances with significant consequences on the mental state and well-being of individuals.
Without intending to adopt a Luddite approach, I have been trying, for the past years, to reduce the use/abuse of this very useful tool by studying alternative methods of enjoying some of the smartphone features. I have developed, at the same time, a deep repulsion for pervasive technology, for Chinese and cheap plastic boxes, for pixelized displays, and anything that resembles cold consumer electronics. Therefore, I took a reverse path, rediscovering the tactile pleasure, warmth and naturalness of wood, glass, paper, stones, and natural fibers. Trying to recreate the functionality of some of the applications I used most, I created a series of connected objects that would give a user experience on a more human and natural level, liberating me from the touch interface of a smartphone or the difficulties of interaction and lack of privacy of voice assistants.
I gave a name to each device I created, to establish an intimate bond that would allow me to identify it in an individualized way. I tried, as much as possible, to develop tactile interfaces that created a physical and natural bond through the use of organic, recyclable and low-polluting materials. I also eliminated displays as much as possible, replacing them with analogic gauges, colored lights, rotating elements, non-electronically generated sounds, etc.
On this blog I want to share a part of my path and invite you to join my research and passion.
Stay tuned!