Wintersemester 2024/2025, BA/MA Produkt-Design eLab , Exzellenzcluster
paper:Drive
Exploring interactions through the materiality of paper
---
No other medium has shaped human culture as fundamentally as paper. For over 2,000 years, it has played a crucial in preserving, organizing, and disseminating knowledge, information, and thoughts. However, since the advent of computers around 1940, paper has been increasingly displaced—particularly by the Internet, which revolutionized electronic data processing as well as the rapid dissemination, search, aggregation, and reconfiguration of information. Despite this, paper continues to demonstrate its uniqueness in terms of usability and long-term information preservation. Studies by the BASE (Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management) indicate that even standard recycled office paper and office printer (dry toner) can easily last 500 years.
In this year's studio project "paper:drive" we explored paper as a medium for storing and interacting with digital data. We investigated how paper, as a physical information carrier, can integrate with digital processes to enable output, transmission, interaction, storage, and reading in innovative applications.
The framework for this studio project is provided by the collaboration format "Coding IxD," where students of product design from the weißensee academy of art berlin and computer science from the Freie Universität Berlin work together in interdisciplinary teams to develop novel interaction concepts utilizing paper as a digital information carrier and mediator. The primary goal of "Coding IxD" is the collective and interdisciplinary development of neo-analog artifacts that combine and make the digital and physical interplay of data and information interactively accessible.
To facilitate this interplay, iterative modeling of prototypes is essential—from simple paper models to functional and product prototypes, which are now being exhibited here. The focus is on interdisciplinary exchange between design and computer science and the acquisition of collaborative working methods.
---
This course is part of the Coding IxD Series and occurred during the winter term 2024/25. It was developed and realised in cooperation with the research group Human-Centered Computing at Freie Universität Berlin and the Product-Design Department at weißensee kunsthochschule Berlin.
participants: Akhil Amer, Fatima Azham, Volodymyr Bilotserkivskyi, Aaron E, David Harwardt, Laura Jürgensmeier, Svetlana Okhlupina, Marc Oprisiu, Claudia Plascencia, Zinayida Rotgauz, Caroline Sasse, Elias Schaper, Lennard Seggewies, weiyu Shih, Mike Wegele
Supervised by Prof. Thomas Ness (Product-Design, weißensee) Peter Sörries (Computer Science, FU Berlin), and Hanna Wiesener (Product-Design, weißensee)
Workshops and Support by Simon von Schmude (eLAB, weißensee), Prof. Mark-Jan Bludau (eLAB, weißensee), Rike Glaser, Yolanda Leask, Felix Rasehorn & Robin Hoske, Benjamin Offen & Dr. Karsten Leopold (BASE)
»paper:drive« was executed as part of the Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«
Project categorySemester Project Project subjects BA/MA Produkt-Design
The image depicts a sign in an art gallery or museum, featuring a white and gray color scheme with black lettering. The sign displays the title "Paper: Drive" in large letters at the top, accompanied by smaller text below that reads "Exploring Interactions through the Materiality of Paper." Below this, there is additional information about the exhibit.
In the background, several tables are visible, each displaying various art pieces or artifacts related to paper and its uses. The overall atmosphere suggests a thought-provoking and visually engaging experience for visitors interested in exploring the materiality of paper.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
This image depicts a room with an art exhibit or display of digital products, likely showcasing innovative technology and design concepts in a modern setting.
The room features a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, with white walls and polished concrete floors providing a clean backdrop for the exhibits. The furniture is simple yet functional, with metal-framed tables and chairs arranged to facilitate easy navigation and interaction with the displayed items.
In the foreground, various digital devices are on display, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones, which appear to be showcasing interactive features or demos. The overall atmosphere suggests a focus on cutting-edge technology and design, possibly in an educational or commercial setting.
The image conveys a sense of innovation and creativity, inviting viewers to explore and engage with the exhibits, highlighting the intersection of art, technology, and human experience.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
An art gallery featuring a collection of posters and tables with various objects on display.
The room's white walls provide a clean backdrop for the artwork, which includes a variety of pieces that appear to be related to each other in terms of theme or subject matter. The overall atmosphere is one of creativity and inspiration, inviting viewers to explore and engage with the art on display.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A photograph of an art exhibition or gallery space in a building, featuring a display of small sculptures and informational posters on a table in front of a glass door entrance.
The table has several small grey stone-like sculptures arranged on it, each resembling a stylized building or object, with smooth surfaces and minimalistic designs. A large white poster to the right displays text and images about "Paper Town" in black font, accompanied by photographs of the sculptures. The background features a glass door entrance with a concrete pillar, and outside are cars driving down a snowy road lined with bare trees, alongside tall buildings.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
The image shows a tablet displaying an interactive game or educational tool on its screen, which appears to be set up at a table for demonstration purposes. The game's objective is to connect tiles efficiently across electrically powered towns, as indicated by the yellow text on the screen "Connect the tiles efficiently across electrically powered towns."
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A white table features a collection of black 3D printed objects in various shapes and sizes, accompanied by a pen or pencil lying across the surface. The objects include two small houses, one cylindrical object, and a rectangular box with an opening at one end. A shadow is visible on the left side of the image, suggesting that the objects are being illuminated from the right.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
An art exhibit featuring interactive sound installations, showcasing three tables with various devices and papers in front of a window overlooking a city street. The setup includes a large display on the left wall with a poster titled "HEARTBEAT" and another on the right wall titled "PAPERMATH." The overall atmosphere suggests an immersive experience where visitors can engage with the art pieces using their hands, creating a unique connection between the physical and digital realms.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A woman's hand is touching a white rectangular device with raised dots on its surface, which appears to be some kind of Braille reader or writer. The device sits on a dark grey table next to various other devices and papers.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A poster and table display for a product called "PaperMath" in an art gallery setting.
The poster features a white background with black text and images of children using the PaperMath tool, while the table has a dark surface with various objects arranged on it. The overall atmosphere suggests a modern and innovative approach to learning mathematics.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A tablet displaying a math-related app on a stand sits in front of an assortment of white paper shapes and blocks labeled 'Paper Math'. The background is blurred but appears to be a dark-colored table or desk with a grayish floor visible behind it. The overall atmosphere suggests that this image was taken at some kind of trade show, where the tablet and paper objects are being showcased as part of an educational or interactive exhibit.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A person's hands are seen interacting with a tablet displaying a 3D shape on its screen, utilizing white cubes and a stylus to manipulate the object. The dark grey table features stacked papers in the background, while the overall atmosphere suggests an educational or interactive setting, possibly during a workshop or training session.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A person is engaged in a task involving a small black object connected to wires and cables, situated on top of white papers placed on a table. The object features two antennae and appears to be made of plastic or metal.
In the background, an open laptop computer can be seen, while a light source emanates from above, likely provided by a camera or lamp.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
A collection of 3D printed objects and wires on a black desk in front of an Apple computer monitor. The objects are arranged haphazardly and include four small, cylindrical pieces that appear to be gun components, two round wheels, and some wiring with various colored cables. The background is the silver monitor, which features the Apple logo.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
An Apple computer screen displays a webpage with an Apple logo and a hand reaching for the mouse. The page features a white background with black text, including the title "What is your goal for today?" and a list of options to choose from.
Alle Rechte vorbehalten