Unit 3 Project Concept: The Lost Sense of Touch

1. Background
In the digital age, people increasingly rely on the virtual world, reducing their interaction with the physical environment. This shift has limited our sense of touch. Most daily interactions are now online, and the physical sensation of touch is being replaced by digital interfaces such as screens and buttons. As a result, the direct connection between people and the material world is gradually disappearing.

2. Key Issues
（1）Screen contact replacing physical contact: People are interacting with the world more through smartphones and computers rather than directly touching physical objects. This has reduced our experience of real textures, replacing it with the sensation of screen swipes and button presses.
（2）Decreased material awareness: Synthetic materials like plastic have replaced natural materials like wood, stone, and fabric in modern life. So people are losing their appreciation for the texture and feel of natural materials, instead encountering standardized, inorganic substances.
（3）Reduced multi-sensory interaction: As shopping, socializing, and work move online, our sensory experiences are becoming more limited. Vision dominates, while touch, smell, and hearing are becoming secondary, weakening our connection to the physical world.

3. Design Goal
The goal of this project is to use different materials to reflect the contrast between the virtual world and the physical environment. By emphasizing the positive impact of real textures and touch, I want to remind users of the importance of these sensory experiences. The aim is to find a balance between the two worlds and highlight the value of reconnecting with the physical.

4. Design Language
（1）Materials
The project combines linoleum with modern industrial materials like acrylic or PVC. Linoleum represents the lost sense of nature. Although it’s not traditionally soft, it is a bio-based material with a rich texture and natural appearance, which can evoke sensory memories of the natural environment.
（2）Craft
The use of woodworking and metalworking: Since ceramics are difficult to bond with linoleum, wood and metal are more suitable for cutting and joining, allowing for easier material combinations.
（3）Form
The design will feature simple geometric shapes. Patterns will be inspired by keywords like foam, natural textures, and industrial elements, symbolizing the blend of the virtual and physical worlds.

5. Reflections and Considerations
（1）Material: One challenge is ensuring that different materials—such as linoleum, acrylic, and metal—blend smoothly both visually and physically. It’s important to avoid harsh separations between them.
（2） How can the combination of materials provide a clear tactile contrast? How can the feel of linoleum, wood, and metal complement each other to enhance the user's sensory experience?
（3）While focusing on visual impact, the design should also consider functionality. The geometric forms must not only look good but also be practical for everyday use.
（4）How can the design encourage users to emotionally connect with the materials through touch? The goal is to rekindle their sensory memory and reinforce their experience of the physical world.