Designing for Deconsumption – iCloud

In the course 'Designing for Deconsumption', we explored how design influences consumer behavior and examined strategies for how it can support a more sustainable way of product consumption. For our project work, we started by deconstructing a chosen product within a Systems Map. Therefore, we analysed the material, political, and cultural aspects of the product. We searched for intervention points within the product's system and redesigned the product based on the gained insights.

For my project, I chose the Apple iCloud as a product, focusing on how to minimize carbon emissions caused by data centers. Therefore, I especially looked at the way how image data is produced and stored.

Systems Map

The Systems Map describes the ecological problem behind the Apple iCloud and how it is connected to image data, the main actors in the system and the technical and cultural aspects behind producing and storing image data.

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Design Intervention

My chosen design intervention focuses on the Apple Photos app, as it actively encourages the accumulation and endless storage of image data. In my alternative app, the focus is on decluttering and emphasizing the value of photos as a medium for memories. An adapted systems map outlines the steps the app aims to change (see below).

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Final Presentation

The final presentation concludes the whole deconstruction and redesign process, explaining the problem behind the chosen product, the Systems Map and the design intervention.

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