Hello!
I am a graduate student at Pratt institute in Brooklyn, NY. I am currently working on my masters thesis in Industrial Design. My subject so far is: Hacking, 'making' and craft as a form of recycling and reusing - product life extension by the user. Basically, I am interested in keeping potentially valuable materials out of the ever-growing rubbish pile.
Instructables were part of the inspiration for this thesis, and I am wondering if you would take a couple minutes of your valuable time to answer these questions for me. The questions might be a bit cursory or vague so your answers can be the same - I am also interested in the differing levels of humor involved in the motivation, process and results of the hacker and their 'products'. I would really appreciate your input, and I want to thank you for your time in advance!
Disclaimer: None of this information will be used for anything other than my written thesis and 15min oral presentation in April (Which you can view, let me know if you want to attend!) - but, please do not divulge any information you dont feel comfortable sharing with my thesis class - use a good false name if you like, (or I can make one up for you) but please be as accurate as you can with all questions. Thanks!
So here are some questions!
1 - Who are you (name), and what do you 'do'? How do your friends describe you?
(ie- day job, side projects, labor of love, for fun, etc)
2 - What do you carry with you at all times? (keys, phone, wallet, knife, etc) Anything you consider 'unusual'?
3 - Are you a 'gadget person', do you need to have the new thing (iPhone or other smartphone, Macbook Air/EEEpc, etc)? What and when was the last computer purchase? Mac, Win (XP or Vista?) or Linux/other?
4 - What was (were) the last modification(s) you did? (electronic, soft, other)
5 - Do you recycle? (Paper, plastic, etc) How do you dispose of old electronics?
6 - Do you ever take other peoples, or buy old electronics, to hack? What was the last you did that with?
7 - With the popularity of publications like MAKE, CRAFT, ReadyMade - and websites and blogs like Instructables; are we are witnessing a new craft movement? (please explain)
8 - Can you explain the history of this movement (if you feel it exists)? What is your favorite part of the increased popularity of making, hacking and modifying? What do you think is the future of this movement? (looking near or far)
9 - How do think this change will affect Industrial Design, and the design/concept of personal electronics, shoes, tableware, furniture, etc?
10 - Is there a device, object, service, product, etc that you dream about, wish existed, half-joke about with friends? Is there a problem you feel strongly about? Something you feel is overlooked?
11 - Can you recommend anyone, or any resources you feel could be really useful in thinking about this topic?
Alright! You are done! Thank you so much for you indulgent participation, I appreciate it so much!
-Crankola-