eva rielland: objects of another age

‘objects of another age’ by eva rielland images courtesy of eva rielland

paris-based designer eva rielland has created ‘objects of another age’ as a means of making technology easily understood by all, particularly the elderly. designed according to observations of real world habits and needs, each of the four objects in this system minimizes use of a graphical user interface (GUI), thus reducing errors and learning curve anxiety.

rielland focuses on communications features from the world of computers: chatting, writing emails, printing and viewing images. anchored by formal analogies and familiar gestures, each of these functions are addressed in the objects: ‘frame’ is used for video chat, ‘boite’, or mailbox, is designed for e-mail exchange, and both ‘printer’ and ‘support’ makes digital images tangible. this clear separation of individual functions simplifies bundled features and facilitates the understanding of modern technology.

‘frame’, mirror side

‘frame’, screen side

‘frame’ in use

‘mailbox’, open

‘mailbox’, in use

‘printer’

‘printer’ in use

‘support’

internal wiring process

assembly