Now It’s Personal:
“We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us.”
— JM Culkin, media theorist, 1967
Historically, technology has been a matter of utility, an ever-improving set of tools devised for solving problems or enhancing the ease and quality of life. From early stone tools, all the way through to the industrial revolution and even into modern computing, most technology has broadly reflected the cultures of the creators more than the personality of the individuals who use the tools. Recently though, as tech has rapidly become more portable, powerful, and publicly accessible, it’s also come to represent a new means of personal expression in itself. As evidenced by the 3D printer explosion, the popularity of DIY drones, and customizable phones like the Moto X, we are increasingly looking to “have a hand,” even if it’s minimal, in the stuff around us.
In fact, the more time we spend online, in virtual, mediated experiences, the more we appreciate authentic, real experiences. We seek emotional connection, personalization, and stories around everything in our lives. Whether it’s a burger, beer, or a pair of boots, we increasingly identify with the things we bring into our lives, with a special appreciation for those produced with consideration, care and craft. Terms like “crafting”—even the word “make” itself — have since taken an evermore prominent place in our lexicon.
These trend lines intersect quite clearly in the do-it-yourself culture of “Makers” who are boldly voiding warranties to tweak, hack, and customize their world. And what they can’t purchase, they build from scratch. Tired of your eyeglasses? Design a new pair to 3D print. Want to make your garden more efficient? Hack together Arduino boards and over-the-counter sensors into a custom irrigation system.
“The things you make, customize, and repair are valuable to you because you’ve invested time and thought into them,” says Mark Frauenfelder, founding editor of MAKE magazine and author of the books Maker Dad and Made By Hand: Searching For Meaning In a Throwaway World. “You also have a better understanding of how they work, which gives you a feeling of control and empowerment over the human-made world we live in.”
The objects and devices that emerge — bearing all the aesthetic and functional decisions of their creators — are as much a reflection of their creators as any painting or hand-sewn quilt. Most importantly, they are products with stories. They embody the aura of the person who made them. They’ve got personality.
This kind of personalization can also be brought to bear on mass-produced technology through the likes of the Moto Maker platform, a system offering consumers myriad ways to customize the popular Moto X phone. You start at the back by selecting from a variety of colors and materials, from high quality wood to polymers, leather — even football “pigskin.” The front and trim are also variable, from shiny finishes to sharp shades in myriad color. Finally, you can engrave it with your name or a short message. Once you’ve designed your phone, you can examine a virtual 3D model of the handset before hitting the buy button. The customized Moto X has the functions of a great smartphone while oozing with the aesthetics and style of its owner.
Moto Maker signals a fundamental change in our relationship with technology. These tools are no longer just the means to some utilitarian end. They are an ever-expanding platform to express our visions, ideas, and values through the form of the device itself.
“Computers have become smaller, more powerful, and more intimate.” Frauenfelder says. “They are an artificial, but essential, part of our nervous system. Personalizing and customizing these devices is a symbolic way to signify the importance of them in our lives.”
