Material Objects as Vessels of Memory: Shaping Identity, Memory, and Material Culture

Abstract

In today’s culture of rapid consumption, objects are increasingly treated as disposable. Yet even the most ordinary items can become deeply personal carriers of memory and identity. Through a combination of literature review, qualitative interviews, and design inquiry, this research explores how people assign meaning to objects beyond their intended function or lifespan. The study draws on theories of memory, material culture, and consumer behavior to examine how material objects function as vessels of memory. The resulting design project proposes a conceptual framework and material response that foreground the emotional potential of everyday objects. The thesis and accompanying work invite reflection on how to create space for new forms of attachment in a throwaway world.