Hitching Post

2 ft. width, 4ft. length

Plywood frame, acrylic, upholstery foam, arcade button, faux leather fabric, modified blood presser cuffs (2014)

Hitching Post is inspired by everyday place holders, transitional objects, and therapy furniture. Two main objectives are to make social situations “safer”, and induce playful conversation that acknowledges awkward tension at social gatherings. Hitching Post acts as a social docking station that exists at the perimeter of a social space. Each “U” includes embedded airbags that inflate when the red arcade button is pressed, generating hug machine sensations.

The objective was to examine pursuits of face to face interaction in contemporary society, and research ways in which design objects can affect the quality of interaction between individuals.