Designing Augmented Refridgerator Magnets

In this poster we present the conceptual designs for several augmented fridge magnets, each illustrative of a larger number of concepts being explored and implemented. The designs have been informed through ongoing fieldwork studying the everyday, routine practices in home life and, in particular, the results of an examination of fridge surface use in family homes [4, 5].

Seeking to orient the presented concepts around people’s established practices in the home, we have adopted a particular design philosophy; one of less is more [2]. Underpinning this philosophy is a motivation to design the interactions with computational artifacts to be intelligible by keeping their means of operation simple and, as far as possible, visible [see 1]. Using this approach, more functionally rich solutions are made possible by designing the artifacts so that they can be combined to augment one another. Thus, less immediate complexity gives rise to the eventual possibility of more functionality.

This philosophy is in keeping with the ways in which people manage and organize their daily household activities by artfully combining ordinary artifacts. Specifically, it resonates with the manner in which fridge surfaces, magnets and the content attached to fridges are assembled into the organizing systems instituted in households.