Resource type
Thesis type
(Thesis) M.A.
Date created
2012-06-22
Authors/Contributors
Author: Maestri, Leah Adriana
Abstract
Repair is typically seen in design as the restoration of broken objects to their original state. Repair by non-experts, or everyday repair, can often lead to novel forms of repair resulting in the creative repurposing of objects that are often unforeseen by designers. Using a grounded theory approach, this study describes key aspects of repair including: the techniques non-experts employ for repairing their objects; the motivations that prompt acts of repair; and the outcomes that result from non-experts' repair techniques. Over the course of a year and a half, 42 participants between the ages 20-65 were interviewed with over 120 objects submitted of broken, repaired and repurposed artifacts. Both interview and image data were coded for distinguishing core concepts and categories, resulting in a theoretical framework. The goal of this framework is to inform the design of interactive technologies that anticipate the creative ways non-experts repair, reuse and repurpose their broken objects.
Document
Identifier
etd7273
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Scholarly level
Supervisor or Senior Supervisor
Thesis advisor: Wakkary, Ron
Thesis advisor: Erik Stolterman, Carman Neustaedter
Member of collection
Download file | Size |
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etd7273_LMaestri.pdf | 11.25 MB |