Technological Artifact Analysis of Nokia - Essay Example

Technological Artefact Analysis The technological artefact under analysis is a cell phone manufactured by Nokia. The model number is 6700, andthis particular version has a distinctive silver metal casing, with a dark plastic trim and smooth glass screen. Its dimensions are 109.8 x 45 x 11.2 mm which makes it one of the smaller types of cell phone. In particular the slim 11.2 mm depth of the phone ensures that it slips easily into a pocket or handbag. It feels heavy in the hand, despite its small size. The corners of the phone are rounded, and the surface is very flat, with no raised keypad buttons or volume control or any other feature that would interfere with its sleek contours. The only slightly raised features are the square directional pad in the middle, the three dividing bars between the keypad rows and the lens insert for the camera on the back. At first glance this artefact looks impressive. There is nothing elaborate or fussy about the design, and every visual aspect tends towards simplicity and sleekness. There are no garish colors, and so it would not appeal to young children. One notable review of the product observes that it is an adaptation of the earlier, popular Nokia 6300 model and highlights the styling as its best feature: “the 6700 is a beauty, made in the same style but with a more attractive and much daintier face” (PhoneArena Team, 2009, p. 1). This is an interesting comment to make in connection with a cell phone, since this artefacts is a functional object, and one might assume that it would be marketed on its technical features rather than the design of the casing. It is evident to anyone familiar with recent developments in mobile technology that this cell phone is not one of the most advanced models in terms of performance, even considering that it is now at least three years old. There is no wifi capability or touch screen functionality. The artefact’s title of “Nokio 6700 classic” is a clue to its niche and significance in the fast moving world of cell phone design. This artefact is intended to be the best of its class, and one which will go down in history as a market leader in cell phone design when it was produced in 2009. The two most striking features of the artefact are the shiny, metal surface which covers most of the back of the phone and one third of the front, and the gently curving corners. These two features suggest quite different things in most cultures. Silver metal of this kind is usually connected with engineering and technology. It is not the soft, glowing silver of a piece of jewelry, but the hard, glinting silver of a machine. It reminds people of the chrome trim on a car, for example, and it suggests technical precision at the same time as usefulness and an attractive presentation. The dark black plastic sets off the shining metal, so that it appears very bright in contrast. This metallic casing gives a clue to the meaning of the artefact as a glowing gateway to the world of science and technology. The curves of the artefact are also an immediately noticeable feature. The directional pad has curved edges, and so does the screen. Only the small “NOKIA” trademark on front and back has sharp angles. Curves are usually associated with feminine qualities. In this case the cell phone reflects to both masculine and feminine aspects of modern culture. Both girls and boys can be geeks, and there is, in the twenty first century, a greater overlap between male and female behaviors and styles, at least in most late or post-industrial countries. The combination of those two features, shiny surface and rounded corners, seems to be an attempt to reach the maximum number of customers, and to merge gender expectations in a way that is up to date and trendy. When the artefact is switched on, it has a subtle back lighting, which illuminates the screen and also the small icons which are in the shape of green and red traditional telephones. This too, is an interesting gesture to telephone tradition because the old telephone design with its heavy ear piece, and circular dialling feature is represented in this ultra-modern design, although in a simplified icon form. It is as if the artefact is reminding the user of the primary function of this object which is to facilitate old fashioned communication between two human beings. When the object is activated, a screen with nine colored icons exactly like a computer start up screen appears. This too, is deliberate quotation of the visual world of the desk top and lap top computer. Navigation by up and down pressure on the directional button is also reminiscent of computer games, and indeed the phone has many “extras” which dip into this technology. The camera feature is displayed along with ring tones, messaging and other “apps” which are customizable by the owner. The cell phone can perform basic functions that are common in the world of computers, such as access emails and view videos, but of course the miniature size of the screen makes this a much reduced version of that larger offering. The artefact offers a little bit of web technology, but only at a minimally functional level. Other devices such as blackberry and ipad have considerably greater capacity in these areas. It seems, then, that this artefact is aiming at a solid, middle-of the road buying public. It is modern and yet classical in look, male and yet female in style, hi-tech and yet only moderately capable in performance. These compromises highlight the mass consumerism of modern culture. Providers of technology have high specification models for experts and enthusiasts. This is not one of those models. This is the average model, blending the most essential features of the genre into an acceptable, middle-of the road product. In the absence of expensive add-on extras, this artefact relies upon some memorable design features to make its mark. It may be somewhat dated, and hardly the best performance object in its class, but in terms of design, the Nokia 6700 is truly a classic in cell phone design. Reference PhoneArena Team. “Nokia 6700 classic Review”. 21 July 2009. Web. [Accessed October 8 2012]. Read More