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Fur-covered cell phones and USB keys

By Lisa Smith - December 16, 2009

in Materials | Object Culture

Danish textile designer Magnhild Disington has stepped into some dangerous territory with Furry Objects, combining two controversial product types: fur, for ethical reasons, and portable electronics, for the increasing amount of electronic waste produced each year. Strangely enough, she manages to turn two material excesses into something less so, creating a set of strange electronic objects that ask some interesting questions.

These phones and USB keys are made from the leftover fur material that would otherwise be discarded, minimizing waste. At the same time, covering a USB key in a pouf of fur adds instant longevity—it becomes practically non-disposable.This then suggests that a slower adoption of minute technological advances by consumer markets is a possibility. Fur is not a suitable material to apply in the mainstream, but what else could we use to engender the same effect?

Here, Disington discusses some of the implications of this work: Portable electronics are often neutral in appearance and lack emotional appeal. They have become a more pervasive part of our lifestyle and are things we carry with us most of the time. People tend not to feel any connection with them and change them gladly as soon as something better and newer is on the market; there is an abnormal refreshment rate for these types of product. Do we really need a new phone every six months? It is my belief that the values within our digital interactions outweigh the value of the electronic devices we use to make them....For the collection of USB keys (flash drives) I have applied natural materials like wood, leather and fur. These materials provide unique character and sensory experiences which create emotional value within the physical product. This creates a more balanced connection between 'content of desire' (our files and interactions) and 'object of desire' (our electronic devices).

More pictures of highly photogenic, controversial objects after the jump.

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Sierra Monica B.

15 years ago

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Cell phones dressed in dead animals - I don't agree with that.
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A. L.

15 years ago

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Bad copy. This has been done before, better. I think it was the Berlin based design company, BLESS. The had a range of 'portable electronics' combined with fur that actually had the same concept; waste fur + USB stcks, etc. They even looked a lot nicer. I don't understand what's new or interesting(design wise) about these????????
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brady

15 years ago

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And they look awesome. I dont know how andrea could say they are unattractive. Sure, theyre not shiny boxes, if that's all your attracted to. Plus, the design is in fact useful in obliging people care more about their objects, as the designer explains. Again, the ethics of using fur here is moot since these are not mass produced. If they were, I don't know maybe synthetic fur could be used? seems very obvious.
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Darshan

15 years ago

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I like the thought process and the feel of the product.
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Philippe

15 years ago

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Although fur might not be the most sustainable material of all - not just for animal welfare reasons - I appreciate the approach to get away from shiny electronics with a planned obsolescence of electronics. The shininess often only exists to expire, and has no real function apart from visual perception or haptic.
If Disington's Furry Objects create less waste in manufacturing or use "better" materials and extend the life cycle of an electronic product, then I'd like to call it a success, even if it just instigates a discussion on why all electronics are just miserably boring. We all want to customize our iPod... why not our USB Drive and daily electronics with (fake) fur?

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Bunty Norup

15 years ago

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Why is that controversial. I think the items are very cool!
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Lisa Smith

15 years ago

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Andrea, I understand they are highly controversial objects, and in posting them, I am not promoting these as the next luxury object. Instead, I wonder how designers might be able to get this same effect of longevity and value in portable electronic devices using something other than fur. It's hard to discuss such viscerally controversial things, but I do believe there are some insights to be unearthed.
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Andrea

15 years ago

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These things are horrible, not only are they ugly as hell but what a way to create another reason to kill defenseless animal. It is so unattractive and completely useless. I thought you guys had better taste.
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