Virtual possessions have become as important as physical ones for
expressing identity in both the virtual and material world.
Connecting these two worlds offers interesting design opportunities for creating
new interactive experiences related to personal media use and self-expression.
For Millennials and Generation Z, who have grown up in an increasingly digitized world, owning particular objects in their physical presence has lost its high priority. Music, movies, books, photos, and videos are in the cloud. Services for films and series like Netflix and Audible for audiobooks have expanded immensely in this way.
My work was then asking the question:
When digital objects are abundant and ubiquitous, why should consumers connect to them?
My research showed that: Like physical possessions, virtual possessions play an important role in how people solidify their identities, realize their desires, and connect with the lives of others.
Currently, the term Non-fungible Tokens or NFTs for short often comes up in the context of digital ownership and identity. NFTs are public blockchain tokens that can be used to represent ownership of unique digital items.
Available NFTs range from photos and video clips to digital clothing or furniture. Because they exist on a blockchain, they are in turn transparent to everyone, permanent, and not dependent on a closed platform,
In order to first create a foundation for Augmented Artifacts, a simple prototype was implemented, which allows the planned interaction.
An interaction of NFC chips, which are anchored in physical objects and connected devices, such as a screen or smartphone, enables interaction.
One insight from the prototype is that an interface for writing the “artifacts” or the rings is still necessary. Users should be as free as possible to store different NFTs on the NFC chips to change them at any time.
The planned application is equipped with the ability to write to NFC chips and provide an integrated NFT marketplace for buying and selling. In addition, users are able to create their own NFTs and manage the artifacts.​​​​​​​
The “Personal NFTs” feature is designed to encourage people to think about using this technology for special snapshots.
Pictures, videos, or sound recordings of one's family, friends, or from a special vacation can be converted. The associated memories are curated and digitally “preserved” by the users. They also have the option to import previously purchased NFTs from their Wallet.
The concept aims to act as jewelry for the body, in the form of a ring or necklace. In addition, the control console is disguised as a jewelry bowl. The ring is transparent and thus hints at the fact that it conceals a technical use.
The deliberate use of materials makes the display function clear. Jewelry can be parked on the wooden surface and when it is moved to the metal surface, an action is triggered. Media connected to the jewelry can then be played on the corresponding device.
Augemented Artifacts ermöglicht den Nutzern ihren digitalen Besitz opportunistisch zu begegnen und dessen Wert durch physische Repräsentationen in alltäglichen Lebensräumen zu schätzen.

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