Our research for this project was a bit unconventional in that it primarily came out of the objects we sourced and the people we met along the way.

The main methods we utilized (or attempted to utilize) were:

The "Unwanted" Items

After categorizing the types of value people have with their things and the goals we want to achieve through our culture probes, we went to the Goodwill Outlets (where "unwanted" items are funneled from Goodwills around Pittsburgh and sold by the pound) and also Creative Reuse in order to begin collecting objects both as material and as focii.

Below are some of the items we bought, our initial discovery, and our surface level analysis of value attached.

Aesthetic & Functional Value - Lanterns & Watches

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Sentimental / Entertainment Value - Records, Broken Trophies & Family Slides