Rescuing Communication via Surprise and Delight Essay -- Communication

Though ironically praised for its power in being able to bring people together, technology is inevitably ruining the art of raw human interaction. Many services that once required face-to-face communication have been replaced by the workings of a sort of technological machine. The in-store shopping experience is now possible on the internet. Virtual classrooms make it possible for people to learn at home in front of their computer outside of a school setting. Just the simple concept of face-to-face communication has had many tool replacements, such as phone, text message, instant message, and e-mail. Because human services are being replaced by technology, human relationships and interaction are being hugely impacted. Design is a unique ‘service’ often striving to solve problems relating to communication. The solutions to these problems generally depend on both technology and human interaction. In this world with technology rapidly growing and human interaction rapidly declining, designers hold a responsibility and exciting opportunity to change the way people interact with each other. When technology as a means of communication was first introduced there was a definite sense of surprise and delight due to the evident mystery and whimsy. Instant messenger, e-mail, and even text messaging are understood concepts, quotidian, and boring. The passà © notion of the hand written letter became defunct with the introduction of e-mail. Now, with e-mail being normal and expected, receiving a hand written letter in the mail is exciting and delightful. Similarly, the anonymous presence behind a screen is no longer exciting, but rather cold and sad on a psychological level. Selected works by Christine Hill, Keetra Dean Dixon, and Local Proj... ...s Du Rà ©el, 2002. Print. Designing Minds. Perf. Keetra Dean Dixon. ADC YOUNG GUN. Adobe, 28 Jan. 2009. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. . Episode 320: Christine Hill. Bad at Sports. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. . "From K to J - Photobooth - About the Booth." Keetra Dean Dixon & JK Keller Shop — Home. Web. 17 Dec. 2011. . Hill, Christine. Inventory: the Work of Christine Hill and Volksboutique. Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje Cantz, 2002. Print. Local Projects. Web. 17 Dec. 2011. . Projects, Choosing Local. "Local Projects." Print Magazine. Web. 17 Dec. 2011. . Volksboutique. Christine Hill. Web. .