Tales of Moments
A 3D printed lithophane lamp showing the differences in cultural affordances and social interactions from the Philippines and Vancouver contexts.
PROJECT
Year: 2024
Role: Industrial Designer
Type: Solo Project | Final Artefact for Master’s Thesis
DESCRIPTION
This project shows the WHY of my Master’s thesis research. I wanted to elaborate on the differences and similarities in interactions I have observed in Vancouver to that found in the Philippines. It is not only visual, but also interactive for people to have a sense of how it would physically feel to embody the action of covering and uncovering specific mental models of interaction and association depending on what context you are in.
The lithophane lamp showcases the cultural differences in everyday interactions and the constant negotiation between learned behaviors. Its modular design represents the process of "unlearning" and "relearning" social norms shaped by our environment. Each layer, symbolized by the shade, highlights a choice of which aspects of our past experiences we bring forward in different contexts.
Unlearning and Re-learning
This concept stems from my own experience transitioning from the Philippines to Vancouver. Initially, I had to adapt my Filipino "mental models" for social interaction to Canadian customs. The shade signifies this conscious selection of cultural behaviors based on social cues and surroundings. This learning process became evident when encountering various customs and norms that operate differently than those in the Philippines.
Unlearning and Re-learning
This concept stems from my own experience transitioning from the Philippines to Vancouver. Initially, I had to adapt my Filipino "mental models" for social interaction to Canadian customs. The shade signifies this conscious selection of cultural behaviors based on social cues and surroundings. This learning process became evident when encountering various customs and norms that operate differently than those in the Philippines.
Experience as a Collection of Moments
The lamp's modularity reflects how past experiences remain ingrained. Though dormant, the mental models and associations with cultural norms (affordances) can resurface. Each new moment, past or present, adds another layer, shaping the ever-evolving tapestry of one's identity.
Despite actively adapting, our cultural background remains ingrained. These behaviors resurface when appropriate, and in multicultural environments, we can even blend them to create richer experiences. The lamp's ability to be assembled and disassembled reflects this flexibility in drawing upon diverse perspectives.
Experience as a Collection of Moments
The lamp's modularity reflects how past experiences remain ingrained. Though dormant, the mental models and associations with cultural norms (affordances) can resurface. Each new moment, past or present, adds another layer, shaping the ever-evolving tapestry of one's identity.
Despite actively adapting, our cultural background remains ingrained. These behaviors resurface when appropriate, and in multicultural environments, we can even blend them to create richer experiences. The lamp's ability to be assembled and disassembled reflects this flexibility in drawing upon diverse perspectives.
Unveiling the Layers of Identity
Cultural and personal identities can be uncovered and observed through our interactions with things, depending on how we interact, with who, and what. There is beauty that often goes unnoticed in our everyday living where culture is ingrained in the things we passively interact with. It is not until we become foreigners looking back at our own cultures do we realize the impact and value a certain interaction with an object or place has on our cultural identity.
Unveiling the Layers of Identity
Cultural and personal identities can be uncovered and observed through our interactions with things, depending on how we interact, with who, and what. There is beauty that often goes unnoticed in our everyday living where culture is ingrained in the things we passively interact with. It is not until we become foreigners looking back at our own cultures do we realize the impact and value a certain interaction with an object or place has on our cultural identity.