In exploring the concept of agency through the act of unmaking—taking things apart—this Master's Thesis Work delves into the implications of consumer 'throwaway culture' on practical skills and capabilities. Ezio Manzini (2015) suggests that throwaway culture may significantly contribute to the erosion of these skills due to the diminished need for product and service upkeep. Tim Cooper (2013) expands on this, arguing that such culture is bolstered by neoclassical economic ideals that more is better and the notion that product updates necessitate replacements, leading to unsustainable resource depletion.
The research employed a range of methods, including exploratory research, reflective practice, qualitative and interpretive investigation, heuristic inquiry, charting, interviews, and participatory research, to gain insights. Key findings from workshop discussions, experiences, and participant reflections reveal that unmaking lowers barriers to engagement and curiosity about objects and appliances, prompting questions about habits, assumptions about capabilities, and personal resources. This reacquaintance with one's capabilities, viewed as a badge of honor, suggests a shift towards drawing less from the environment and more from individual resourcefulness, enhancing sustainability.
Moreover, introducing designers to unmaking could offer a transformative experience, prompting a reevaluation of accepted material and process understandings and consideration of objects' post-use life. This perspective challenges conventional design thinking and could pave the way for more sustainable design practices.
EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN
CANADA SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCEL (SSHRC)
CANADA SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCEL (SSHRC)
Unmaking workshop impact potentials
"The Toaster Dillema"
How many different tools was this made from? And what were the resources involved in making them?
