Disposable Technology: A Cardboard Commentary on Wasteful Gadgets
Like life-size cardboard figure cut-outs used to advertise movies, these creative constructions are merely representations of other objects – but how far are they from the objects we so regularly throw away? We all realize the truth in this upon reflection, but it is still sometimes shocking to concede: we’ve basically created a bunch of disposable technology and an insatiable machine that produces it, uses it and throws it away to buy something new.
Making things used to be about durability, design was made to last. Now no one expects even their suburban home to be well-built, let alone a phone or camera. Indeed, in a world of mass-production one could imagine to make another one-off gadget may now be more difficult than it is for someone like Kyle Bean to hand-craft a custom cardboard sculpture.
Design for thought. Who knows, maybe the next generation of high-tech gadgets really will be cut out of cardboard.
More info via Wired
“Kyle Bean’s wonderful design project is supposed to be a comment on runaway consumerism. Named Disposable Technology, it is a ‘response to our consumer relationship with technology and obsolescence,’ representing the throwaway culture of gadgets by constructing their likenesses in plain, worthless cardboard.”
“Nice try, Kyle, but you messed up. These cardboard clones are amazing: Far from making us meditate on the wastefulness of technological progress, they make us wish that somebody would actually make a cardboard camera or corrugated computer. Muji would be the obvious choice for this — the company already makes cardboard speakers. And the environment would benefit, too. After all, who’s going to miss a few more trees?”
About designer Kyle Bean
“Kyle works across a broad spectrum of disciplines including:
- Directing videos & stop-motion animations
- Conceptualising & creating photo-illustrations
- Set Design for collaborative photographic shoots & installations
His work is recognisable as playful, tactile and conceptual, often using materials and handcrafted processes to realise his projects. Whether working alone on smaller projects from his home studio to collaborating on large scale productions, Kyle has over 10 years experience in bringing projects to life big or small.
Kyle also occasionally runs paper-craft workshops and guest lectures. Please do get in touch to learn more.”
