Interactive Jewellery as Memory Cue: Designing a Sound Locket for Individual Reminiscence

Abstract

In this paper we describe the design of Memento: an interactive sound locket for individual reminiscence that triggers a similar sense of intimacy and values as its non-technological predecessor. Jewellery often forms a cue for autobiographical memory. In this work we investigate the role that interactive technologies could play in this relationship. We first explore the way in which people record sound fragments and we present related work in the field of interactive jewellery and sonic memory cueing. The insights are used to inform the design process. The resulting concept, Memento, uses interaction scenarios inspired by the interaction with traditional lockets to activate recording and playback, and to browse through the recorded audio fragments. In order to connect object and content, Memento is a stand-alone single-purpose piece in which physical object and digital content are inseparable.