Alexandra Ross and Guillaume Gauvrit
The creation of a tool kit aiming to encourage users to act deviantly; challenging this self-centred notion of constantly being watched.
Instagram: plane_deviants
Transient in nature, and purpose-driven, airports can feel like socially empty spaces. Spaces where people get from A to B, all the while adhering to a set behavioural code. They stand out amongst other communal environments, with governments, businesses, and passengers occupying this space; together dictating and enforcing what is deemed socially acceptable.
Paper planes provides the tools to challenge pre-conceived notions of acceptable behaviour, doing so through a series of playful challenges and activities. Through these tasks, users are encouraged to discover the airport, its social norms, and all those who actively shape it.
The set of products gives way to a community of users, using social media platforms as a common ground for experiencing and sharing deviant acts, together unveiling the true nature of the space. Influenced by our own observations and interventions, Paper Planes focuses on our relationship with spaces, our personal biases and fears, and questions purpose.
Having carried out the interventions ourselves, the predominantly observed feeling was of anticipation, hesitation and fear. Wanting others to question and explore similar intra-personal experiences, Paper Planes was designed to create opportunities for otherwise abnormal activities.
Initially just the one product, the design from its inception was aiming for a bare aesthetic; wanting to maintain some sense of mystery and discovery, whilst being minimalist in nature. It was decided that the product would be part of the packaging itself, allowing for it to be a very temporary thing or kept, as it is sturdy enough. Having tested various packaging shapes and nets, we settled on the box. The tube and smaller flip box followed. The in-laid content was screen-printed to allow the use of white paint. This made the pictograms stand out from the parcel paper, while providing a splash of colour complimenting our bare aesthetic.
All products were marked using a branding iron. A permanent means of branding, it effectively conveyed an authoritative quality. Stickers were made, to both be used for tasks, and for promotional purposes.
