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Final Publication - Photographs

Exploration / Reflection

For this project, I’ve had a look into the vast internet sensation that is ASMR (Autonomous sensory meridian response). ASMR is an experience characterised by a tingling sensation, usually on the scalp that then moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia, being mostly focused on sound and touch. I have created a publication that can easily work inside this space while also commenting on it. Bringing attention to it, if you will. I looked into various ways we use our senses in response to various stimuli, from braille to social media. I wanted to take advantage of the physical book, and utalise its strengths to further my project. The physical space allows a reader to touch and feel the book, and to generate their own sounds through movement of the book. The printed book format also has less perceived distractions than the online space, with a clear end to the publication and a specific narrative, allowing readers to focus and relax.

With this in mind, I designed a publication with various paper types and textures, inviting the reader to scratch at, crinkle, tap, etc. I have cut the paper to be different sizes, pierced the pages, given the pages incisions, etc. as a way of encouraging interaction. For the front cover, I used a thin silky material for additional texture along with the sewed title. By doing this, we allow the reader to indulge in their AMSR, or learn about ASMR first hand.

In addition, as a way to properly represent the online community and to showcase the importance of sound, I have created various videos to display ASMR that go alongside the publication. They are filmed on a simple white background, the minimal space calming and clean, allowing the focus to be purely on the sounds and items that generate it. Editing wise, the focus is placed upon the sounds entirely, white noise removed/minimised.

Through this project I was really able to understand how people experience their ASMR and how it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. I also really like how it can easily emphasise the benefits of the physical and digital space in different ways.

An ASMR video using my book, showcasing how you can generate sounds from it.

A ‘Book Sounds’ video I have created to be showcased along side my publication, to highlight the ASMR community in the online/audio space.

Some final snaps for reference. I was considering supplying a ‘sound tool’ (aka a scratching tool) for users of whom may want scratching sounds but do not have long enough nails etc.

Editing my book sounds ASMR video, looking into reducing noise and highlighting the book sounds specifically. I wasn’t using a high quality mic, so I’ll have to see how I go.

Book ASMR research / example

1) I covered the book with a white paper cover to smooth out the surface for the silky material

2) - 4) Sewing the title into the book cloth

PROCESS --

1. Binding / 2. page layout / 3. Hot gluing spine / 4. Glued on and bent spine

After discussion with Andy, I have decided to create both a physical book and digital videos to fully represent ASMR properly, and allow readers to have an insight into the niche. I'll be focusing mostly on book sounds - how I can generate ASMR from the sounds associated with books in the physical space. I will also be creating a book filled with different paper types and textures, that can be used to generate sounds for ASMR.

During our week 10 class we undertook an exercise that involved making a prototype of our work and swapping with another classmate. We were then invited to, despite knowing nothing about our classmate's project, present the work to the class and act as if we had created it. It was a great process to go through, as it gave everyone in the class a different perspective of their own work. It was also really nice to think deeply about another person's project and provide solutions.

For my work, Sherry took my work to be alike the unreachable, interchangeable instagram world - and how printing out the images I was giving them a permanence and more meaning. It was super interesting to hear her talk about how she perceived it.

Along that vein, I was wanting to create an ASMR focused book - filled with calming visuals and feelings (through touch). I can see now how easy it is to be confused, so I've decided for my final to just stick with the touch/sound generated through touch aspects of the book. I'll strip it back from being filled with eye catching images to being more texture focused. I want to invite readers to interact with the book, to fiddle with the different paper types and listen to the different sounds they can all create.

ABOVE -- My prototype for my ASMR focused project

Visual ASMR

Visual ASMR is also something people will focus on, often known as ‘satisfying videos’. It’s interesting how people are calmed by balanced aesthetics, and by every day experiences. I’ve looked at a reddit thread about this, and it was really interesting to see how people are calmed and enjoy watching seemingly pointless videos in this way.

I don’t think I’ll necessarily follow along with this research, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless.

References:

https://asmruniversity.com/about-asmr/what-is-asmr/

reddit thread about visual asmr: https://www.reddit.com/r/asmr/comments/2xvas0/meta_does_anyone_get_visual_asmr/

https://peerj.com/articles/851/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4380153/

various cut papers, into textures/art

‘pinprick’ or ‘pinhole’ art, focus on touch and negative space

A ‘Braille Kindle’ device is currently not for same in the commercial world. It’s interesting to read into how this is being researched and tackled with engineers and industrial designers, but currently it is still an unknown. Ways around this have been found - for example, audio books and such, but nothing concrete has been formed for the use of touch.

I think this is an interesting debate, when it comes to looking at what the fundamental differences are between print and digital. I don’t plan on designing anything specific to braille or the visually impaired, but I do want to look at the importance/value of tactile touching.

Some further reading on braille for the digital space (super interesting!!!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braille_e-book

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3399018/Braille-Kindle-developed-blind-Tactile-tablet-allow-people-feel-images-text-screen.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27243376

https://www.wired.com/2014/12/e-books-for-the-blind-should-be-legal/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/08/18/this-digital-age-why-isnt-it-a-paradise-for-braille-readers/#477f1aca130e

What am I doing?

Honestly, who knows. I want to make sure that I approach this assignment with a concept to flesh out, rather than focusing on the refinement stage. Of course, I want to create aesthetically sound pieces, but this class is really about making stuff to explore ideas and to generate conversation.

So, despite this worry I have about whether I am doing something ‘wrong’ or not, I’ve been looking into various things and have, as one does when researching, found myself at some interesting end points.

Social Media -> Social Influencers -> ASMR -> Aesthetically pleasing to senses -> touch -> braille -> ebooks for braille? -> sight -> visually pleasing images -> sound -> textured paper that crinkles, sound generated when running fingers down it, etc

I’ll start posting some inspiring references for now - I’m, going to be focusing on the senses, I think, and how a book can be made to respond in the physical space.

heavyanddissolved

These fore-edge paintings can be found on some of the books from one of the first lending libraries of Estonia, founded by some peasants in 1872 who apparently couldn’t even spell properly (in their statutes, they proudly announce the founding of the “liprary”) but on the other hand surely knew how to decorate their beloved and precious books.

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