Andrew Lee

FLAT WORLD

The smartphone promised to expand the human experience through the freedom of choice and seemingly unlimited possibilities. Despite the promise of choice, however, many users develop habits of mindless consumption leading to a narrower experience. Digital experiences are largely driven by invisible algorithms that attempt to predict users’ desires in an attempt to keep them engaged for as long as possible. However, these algorithms are often too good at anticipating users’ needs, pigeonholing people within their comforts and limiting the scope of culture they experience. The result is a digital and socio-technical ecosystem that feels shallow and unfulfilling. 

Both designers and users can utilize critical design principles to examine our current techno-digital culture and reflect on how systems can change. Critical design brings to attention to the pitfalls of the current paradigm and offers alternate solutions. Adopting critical design practices when developing commercial products can be a way to develop novel solutions for more engaging products.

FLAT WORLD is a family of critical yet commercially viable objects that reframe three features of the smartphone as single-function objects: the camera, radio, and telephone. FLAT WORLD critiques the way the smartphone dilutes our lived experiences by offering new methods of interaction. The project proposes that substituting the algorithm with serendipity may present users with opportunities to develop a healthier relationship with technology and have a more authentic lived experience.