DESIGN INTENT

My work is driven by the concept of hidden value, where only upon interaction with an object do we begin to understand its full functionality. I am particularly interested in objects that are dynamic and evolve through their conditions of use. They bloom and reveal meaning based upon the contexts they are placed within, providing an unique level of richness to our interactions with them.

I am also fascinated by the role our senses can play in developing relationships between objects and their users. Through interactive sensory feedback, an object can begin to form a dynamic dialogue about its use. It can provide its users with tactile cues, and it may have a whole series of emotions embedded within it, altering the way users interact with it on a daily basis.


BIO

Tara Mullaney is a researcher and PhD student at Umea Institute of Design. She is a scientist-turned-designer that loves experimenting with interactive materials and technologies. Her work experience ranges from anti-cancer drug development to innovation workshop facilitation and design consulting. She is focusing her PhD studies around creating emotionally-engaging product experiences, and exploring how materiality can influence the affective attributes of objects and environments. Her core thesis project, funded by the EU, involves researching the Radiotherapy Clinic at Norrlands University Hospital to discover methods and create tools for optimizing patient comfort, human contact, personalization and workflow.