Dunne, A. Raby, F., 2001. Design Noir: The secret life of electronic objects. August/Birkhauser. Section 05.
The placebo project is an experiment that focuses on taking conceptual design into everyday life. Eight prototype objects were created and used, these were, Parasite Light, Compass Table, Nipple Chair, electro-draught excluder, Loft, Electricity drain, GPS Table and Phone table. They were designed to test people perceptions on electromagnetic fields in the home. They were designed to be open-ended and to prompt people to have a personal attachment and story with the object.
The object was to find each individuals experience with each object in their own environment. Each individual has a unique individual experience with each object.
A lot of people took on the objects openly and willingly. They allowed them into their lives. Many people found that they didn’t really have much purpose and struggled to utilise them. Others however have found the objects have become part of their lives, due to their intriguing nature and their use has become part of routine.