Social Design : Understanding the Influence of Physical Surroundings on Social Interactions

Abstract

“Social interactions shape our surroundings and define our communities. Physical elements and objects that influence these encounters are of particular interest to me. I work with them in an attempt to enhance the experience of those who come into contact with my work. Each of my pieces is meant to be to be functional furniture that can be absorbed into everyday life. The design process evokes challenges of physical structure, ergonomics, material characteristics and aesthetics, all of which influence the social function of my work. I aim not to balance these requirements but to integrate them into one cohesive object. Inspiration comes from the physical arrangement of people engaged in specific types of interactions. I examine the angles at which they sit, vicinity to each other, body language and so forth. This informs the shape and structure of the piece, which in turn affects how it is used. This continuous cycle leads me to question what it is that instigates actions and interactions, people or their surroundings?”