As a society we rely so heavily on phones, and often find ourselves forming artificial attachments instead of real connections. How would the world sound if all of our experciences were through a telephone?
Dial-a-Friend is an interactive social experience designed to highlight our reliance on technology to furfill our social need. Social media, instant messaging and picture sharing has become a staple for communication. With instant access to what our friends are doing, and a camera at hand at all times we often find ourselves living our life through the screen of a mobile of phone and missing out on real life socialisation. The project explores the culture of electronic communication, and postulates what the world would sound like if we conducted all our social interactions with a machine.
After picking up the phone and dialing 1 they are greeted by "Daniel" a monotone voice who lists a number of options including; Gossip, Small talk and Compliments. Designed to highlight the impersonal nature of electronic socialisation, the device delivers interactions that we would normally experience with people in an electronic monotone voice. Inspiring both realisation of the absurdity of talking to a machine and offering a humourous experience.
Sample phrases:
• "Did you see that Samuel is dating Samantha? Can’t believe it. They are so wrong for each other!"
• "So glad that sports team won that competition. I don’t usually like sports but that game was
a real zinger."
• "Look at you! It’s so refreshing to meet someone who doesn’t care about the way they look. I don’t care
what they say about you. You are alright!"
The piece was part of a 3rd year Graphic Design project at Ravensbourne. We were asked to create an interactive piece that offered the user not only an engaging experience but also an informative one.
The exhibition: Interact To Inform was open for 2 days in The Arts Pavilion in Mile End in March 2016
