Going beyond archetypes: a story about inspiration, limits, and communication

Abstract: Archetypes, as universal patterns or prototypes, are deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness and shape our expectations about the appearance, function, and meaning of objects. However, as products and their contexts change, it becomes necessary to find ways to break away from existing archetypal images. This thesis explores the development of archetypes, the boundaries of object categories, and innovations in order to overcome archetypes and challenge typical scenarios. Through research, this thesis finds that archetypes follow their roots and are difficult to radically change. People are more likely to accept objects they are familiar with, and unfamiliar objects may be rejected due to misunderstanding. Furthermore, storytelling plays a significant role in product acceptance and contributes to the product’s aura. The final outcome of this thesis is a mobile, modular conversation pit that challenges archetypes in several ways. It revises the traditional conversation pit, proposes a setting that encourages genuine communication rather than distractions, and encourages people to disconnect from their smart technologies and connect with each other. Inspired by the prehistoric room with a fire pit in the centre and reminiscent of the symbol of a WI-FI, this conversation pit is a synthesis of the findings from the exploration of archetypes.