UX Of Boredom
How might we design a way to express the value of boredom?
Introduction
In this whirlwind of a modern world with its dazzling array of distractions, the big question haunted us - Are we actually less bored now than ever before? Digging into research, we discovered the rise in industrialization and urbanization has kind of stolen away the joy and satisfaction from our work and social life. So ironically, yes, we’re more bored now!
But you see, we’ve realized that boredom, which we often try to avoid like the plague, is actually a hidden gem. It's this amazing regulatory signal that nudges us towards creativity, innovation, and curiosity.
Brainstorming the value of boredom
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We asked ourselves when was the last time we were truly bored and what did we do about it. Brainstorming led us down some unexpected paths.
One bright afternoon, Jacob tossed an idea into our brainstorming session - why not create bizarre drawing tools for sketching? Taking inspiration from ‘Bad by Design: Everyday Objects Reworked to Frustrate Users,’ our team let our creativity run wild. We dreamt up a range of quirky tools like a self-portrait maker, Hammer Pen, Squiggly Scale, and a 3D Pencil.
We invited participants to dive into the world of these unconventional tools, hoping that intriguing tools would lead to an intriguing process and output.
Making the quirky tools
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We thought, "If the tools we use are a hoot, wouldn't the whole drawing process become a blast?" And boy, were we right! The real magic happened when we showcased our zany inventions. Picture this: a flashy '90s commercial, complete with cheesy one-liners, showcasing our eccentric tools. The buzz in the room was electric. People couldn't get enough of trying out our funky creations, and the results? A delightful mix of unexpected, hilarious, and surprisingly artistic sketches.
Participants using the quirky tools to make art
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But here's the golden nugget of wisdom we unearthed. Boredom is a vast, colourful spectrum, different for every individual. It’s not confined by time, nor can it be cooked up in a lab.
Our preconceived notions as researchers and designers had unknowingly put boundaries on boredom and stifled innovation. We learned that sometimes, you've got to stumble and make a "bad" wheel to really get the creativity cart rolling.
The Squad: Anya Li, Desire Obah, Guo Chen (Greta), Jacob Tomas, Malavika Mahajan.
Mentors: Alister Steel, Dr. John Fass
