Project
Nostalgic Time Capsule
About
Collecting memories from different generations, both positive and negative, in one nostalgic bound booklet.
Processes & Tools
Bookbinding – Data Analysis – Primary Research – Digital Printing – Adobe InDesign – Prototyping
Year
2024
Collecting inter-generational memories of cassette tapes as data
The brief for this project asked us to collect data about a simple and ordinary object, leading me to gather words, memories and anecdotes from 100 people in a survey, and over 300+ online comments. Rather than statistics, I wanted to create a physical object that brought back nostalgic memories for people, using qualitative data instead of quantitative. It was so rewarding discussing this project with people at New Designers in July 2024, and at our 204 Degree Show, and seeing them relate to the anecdotes.
I housed each booklet in an actual cassette case, sanding down the spokes to ensure the booklets fit. Creating custom liner notes involved meticulous measuring and accurate cutting.
Collecting inter-generational memories of cassette tapes as data
Like an actual cassette, the booklet is split in half, with one half of each spread being the correct way up (the A-side), which contains all of the positive data that I collected. This part of the booklet focusses on nostalgia and warm memories, with anecdotes detailing mixtapes made for a crush, or making childhood recordings.
The opposite side of each spread is flipped upside-down, and written in blue, representing the B-side of the booklet. This side includes people's negative connotations of cassettes, such as having to untangle and re-spool tape, accidentally taping over important audio, or only using them as emergency ice scrapers for their car.
