Almost all materials we use in our digital and energy producing/storing technologies are mined and processed abroad before they become the products we use in Norway. Once we have finished using them, most of them are transported to other countries for reuse, remanufacturing, but most often recycling. As a result, people in Norway have hardly any knowledge about the materials that make up these technologies. This project is based on the premise that if technology users knew more about these materials (where they are mined and by who; what are the social and environmental impacts of mining; where they are processed), they may use them longer, repair them, and once they reach their end of life, make them available for recycling.
In this thesis project, you will design one or more modes of interaction with stones in order to make their history, present, and future visible. You can use the whole materials library or a selection of stones. You can look into playful interaction, the use of cards or audio, different categorisations of the stones, storytelling with stones, creating a catalogue for the materials library, design provocations with the stones, etc. Maybe you have other ideas?
For the design approach, you can get your inspiration from interaction design, critical design, participatory design, speculative design, design for sustainability, etc.
You can do this project alone or with a fellow student.
Supervision
We regard the social aspect of doing a master's thesis as important as the academic aspect. As supervisors, we will offer you an engaged and inspiring environment in the Sustainable Futures Lab as well as access to experts when needed.
Recommended courses:
- IN5010 Design, Technology & Society
- IN5190 Design for Sustainability
- You may also want to choose one of the following courses: IN5120 (Tangible Interaction), IN5530 (Research through Design) or IN5510 (Participatory Experimental Design)
- There are also interesting courses at SUM and at IFIKK; such as Design og økologi and Designkultur: Ti ting
