Thesis
Virtual Closet
Abstract: Virtual closet is an interactive tool for people to organize an ‘imaginary’ closet space where users can add or remove things. By exploring Virtual closet, users can measure how efficiently they have been using physical space, as well as learn how-to plan buying, organizing and throwing things out when needed. This project aims to educate people who believe they are ‘hoarding’ or buying things impulsively often, resulting insufficient space in their house. The interface consists of both physical device and screen-based graphic. Multiple storage bins with RFID reader attached and tagging device which can embed RFID inside represent physical form. On a graphic interface, users should be able to track what kind of items are stored in each bin, as well as ‘traffic’ of in & out of closet contents. Later on, Virtual closet can also include more portable, mobile version of graphic interface which can be an iPhone application because of the importance of ‘immediacy’ for users to acquire the ‘data’ when they need. For example, taking pictures of things in closet could be easily done by mobile phone’s embedded camera, rather than using typical digital camera and usb cable combination. In this thesis, I develop a way to maintain a good perspective for people who seriously takes their real-life frustration, that is a ever-growing unnecessary belongings more than the actual needs.
Personal Statement: Every day I open the closet, choose what to wear, and close it. This space, ‘closet’ requires my interaction in a very similar way of dealing with ‘folder’ in computer operating system, metaphorically.
Like any folder can include sub-categories underneath it, the spaces in the closet are separated by smaller piece of space where items are organized and categorized. They are gradually filled by clothes, fashion items, and some other things, although not as fast as files in the folder, therefore need to be ‘emptied’ when over-filled.
Noticeable difference is that in digital world, there are ‘signs’ that tell you when to empty the trash bin, however, in analog world, we can simply ignore the closet door that won’t close. This will not be the case if a user can dispose no-longer-needed clothes routinely, people who can throw things out may need a help to be aware of clutter.
Advertisement of new storage option does not make sense to me, nor save my mind any effort - in fact, it may produce a greater tax than throwing things out.
In this thesis I question what real solution is to live with ‘reasonable’ amount of belongings in our every day lives, focusing on people’s closet and develop a way to stay alerted at any time (immediacy), anywhere (location).