Touch is an ongoing conversation between us and the world we live in.
Between the objects we interact with, the people we meet, and our environment around us, it immerses us in our day to day experience, and makes everything real. But touch isn’t always given the credit it’s due. Too often it’s pushed to the background, making room for vision, and hearing. But touch is not simply a passive sense, it’s our most intimate tool for curiosity.
With this investigation, (The topography of touch) I sought to understand and bring attention to touch, portraying it as a tool for discovery, and as an immersive sense we use to engage with our environment. In achieving this I created a range of objects "touch maps" crafted to engage touch an reflective thought. These are presented alongside a publication an a multisensory experience that proves concepts in touch, and offers a tactile reference point.
As my final project in university, I had the opportunity to display this project, and observe how people interacted with these ideas, putting them to the test. People young and old, designers, friends, and family alike were all drawn to the investigation, and I was stunned by how effective it was in capturing their curiosity, and experimentation. Any time the book made an observation, they were able to reach out and have their hands ask the same question. Giving into the playfullness was inevitable, and with the audience immersed, many smiles, and many conversations flowed.
Russell Hooton-Fox: Graphic design, photography, direction, composition, copywriting, layout, research, woodworking & sculpting, exhibition design.
Case Dakota: Photography, composition.
Case Dakota: Photography, composition.
FOOTNOTE -
This investigation was developed to be both a response to my research, as well as a live experience. Every piece in the book was laid in front of the user to be experienced, and understood.
These pieces were displayed as part of Media Design School's Year 3 exhibition at the Aotea Centre, in November 2019.
Interactions with this display are shown below.
Interactions with this display are shown below.
