Designing the self: technology and the evolution of self-depiction

Abstract

When contemplating the ideas of self, identity and portrayal, one is led to ponder several questions. Why is there an urge to capture ourselves (or at least myself) in this way? Why is there an urge to be seen? And, finally, where are we headed within this realm? I found that the answers to these questions live in the history of how people have created their own image throughout the years. The history is inextricably linked to the tools and technologies that allowed for these visual representations. Technology has always played a role in the way we document the self and has indeed led to every new development of seeing, capturing and designing the self. These technologies have allowed for us to see ourselves in a new light and present this image to the world, and the manner in which we do this will continue to change as cutting edge technology develops at a rapid pace. In an attempt to explore this idea of the designed self, I analyzed the technologies which have assisted me the most in my self-depictions, narrowed down to the mirror, the camera, and smartphone.

In this work, I present the research of the three distinct technologies and their relationship in designing visual representations of the self. After this, I present a speculation of identity through designs of myself, the author. Here, the designed identity of Janessa Duran is presented through the eras of technology in two parts: the past and present technologies and the technologies of the future.