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Browsing by Author "Soares, Cristina Lousada"

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  • Non-objects: the perception of use of intelligent objects. The case of the smartphone
    Publication . Soares, Cristina Lousada; Barbosa, Maria João
    This article is part of a research conducted with the aim of obtaining the degree of Doctorate in Design, in the Product Design area. The definition of non-objects through the study of perception of use is the aim of our work. The focus on intelligent objects, namely the smartphone, comes from the growing pervasiveness of these objects in daily life, which is leading to new personal, social and working behaviours. We intend to investigate amongst other issues: how users perceive smart objects, in particular smartphones; if design as a practice embraces the ambiguous traits of these devices; understand which smart objects have more acceptance in daily life; to have a clearer notion regarding the use of smartphones: functionalities, personal or work related use; understand how important it is for the smartphone to be personal; and if users are aware of being dependent of these devices and how it provokes distancing and distraction in relation to other activities through its compulsive use. Here we review the methodology used in the research process, which includes a literary revision of key concepts and relevant authors, and a questionnaire, with the aim of understanding whether smart objects, smartphones in particular, can be defined as nonobjects.
    2018Conference object Open access Show more
  • Non-objects: the study of mass-produced functional objects in the domestic environment
    Publication . Soares, Cristina Lousada
    This article is part of a broader study focused on the perception of functional domestic objects. We propose the analysis of user perception of said objects, through literary revision of key authors and concepts, and also via an enquiry and photographic records of the objects of study in their domestic environment. By promoting investigation of user perception we aim to provide product designers with information and potentially tools which will be conducive to a more informed approach during the design process. “Never have more of us had more possessions than we do now, even as we make less and less use of them. The homes in which we spend so little time are filled with things.” [1] “(…) A deficit in the study and theory of use has long been known without any recognizable professional efforts to close this gap through research and intellectual efforts.” [2] Working towards the concept of non-object, as a category of objects, arose from Marc Augé’s Non-Places book which is central in our research. We wondered if, in a mass-produced world, we could also identify and name a category of objects as non-objects? The revision of key authors and theories by designers, philosophers and social theorists such as Braudillard, Brandes, Norman, Dormer, Merleau-Ponty, Flusser, Sudjic, Dorfles, Thackara, Katz and Lukic, amongst others, help us in our investigation, and support its need, and is instrumental in outlining the scope of the non-object concept.
    2017Conference object Restricted access Show more