Open it up and see what is inside.
You will find information
And interesting, personal bits and pieces
Exploring this wallet is an experience created through five peoples own experiences
Look at all of the senses and secrets it has to offer.
My sensory ethnographic research diary was concerned with a
person’s wallet. I observed five people while they each made a transaction
focussing intently on their interactivity with the wallet as well their sensory
experience as a whole.
The information I have gathered is to do with the intimate
relationship a person has with their wallet and also the awareness of sensation
had throughout the entire experience.
I interviewed each of the people I observed. I first asked
them to explain the transaction in their own words. I then asked them a series
of question focussing on the five senses: sight, touch, hearing, smell and
taste. I then asked them to once more explain the transaction in regards to
their sensory experience. Lastly I asked if there were any objects within their
wallet they have a personal relationship with.
There was a large variety of information given during the
interviews. There was a lot to tell about some of the senses like touch: “I
picked up the can which was perspiring. There was moisture on it. It was a bit
cold”; but not much at all to say about others like taste for instance where
there was no taste at all. Some of the senses evoked more emotion than others:
“I saw the male server. I was happy I got him because I don't actually like the
girl; she messed up my coffee one time”, some none at all.
My final ethnographic diary is presented in the form of a
wallet. I have taken the information about the sensory experiences of people
with their wallet and of the larger area of where the transaction took place
and presented this on business cards, objects commonly found in wallets. The
images on the business cards are of the people who I observed; and the contents
of these people’s wallets at the time. This is more visual information that we
can use to observe the people’s character.
Also contained within the wallet are the following things:
A key. One person had a key in their wallet to remind them
to take their wallet out and to unlock the house.
A Poem about death. This was one of the interesting things a
person’s wallet, reminding them of a loved one.
Train tickets. Several people used the train. One person
collected them because they liked the colours.
Coins. Most people I observed had some coins in their
wallet. These were described as making a “ting tinging” noise.
Stamps. One person had these in their wallet for when they
needed to send a letter.
Raffle Tickets. One person obtained outside of Hope Brothers
Bar to gain cheap drinks in the bar.
The results of my research are:
I have gathered information concerning each of the five main
senses throughout a paid transaction done by different people in different
locations.
I have an appreciation for the small things that people
notice when making a paid transaction.
I have insight into the diverse uses for a wallet based on
the contents of wallets I have observed.
I am more conscious of the emotional attachment people may
have with items concealed in their wallets.
I am aware that some people have specific sensory
interactions with their wallets, items within their wallets and the different
environments where paid transactions take place.
CCDN231: Experimental
Design Ideas
Jayden Hamilton
ID number: 300251169
Tutor: Kath Foster
15/08/2013
