Concept Overview

The Aperture case, a conceptual design from Special Projects, challenges the conventional use of smartphone cases. While it remains an artistic vision rather than a tangible product, the case seeks to provoke reflection on smartphone habits and their implications on daily life.

Intent Behind the Design

“It’s basically transforming a compulsive behavior into a conscious behavior,” states Clara from Special Projects. The intention behind the Aperture case is to foster awareness about the time individuals spend on their devices.

Adrian, another member of the team, emphasizes, “This is something that many people are struggling with. There are many solutions, but there was something about this that just clicked.”

Functional Aesthetics

In keeping with a design philosophy reminiscent of Teenage Engineering, the Aperture concept originated during the development of another innovative project known as Paper Phone. This application allows users to print essential information from their smartphones onto a sheet of paper for daily use.

The creators of Aperture observed that the camera cluster on a smartphone case closely resembles the size of an Apple Watch, which manages to convey substantial information within a limited space. Inspired by this similarity, they contemplated utilizing the case’s design to offer new interaction capabilities by simply flipping it around.

Design Limitations

Although the initial idea involved transforming any phone case into an Aperture-compatible accessory, practical considerations pose challenges. For instance, compatibility issues could arise depending on the manufacturing specifications of different cases, potentially leading to misalignment or unintentional button activation.

A Vision for Digital Wellness

The Aperture case may not be physically available yet, but its conceptual nature aims to inspire users to reconsider their digital interactions. One noteworthy feature discussed could involve an app that discourages excessive phone scrolling by introducing consequences such as “killing a digital tree,” thus promoting better time management on devices.