Faculty of Design

Industrial Design

Janine Sornaruban

Google Treasures

Opportunity:Objects hold high sentimental value, having the ability to connect people. These objects link to the past, often connecting generations that have never met, while holding stories and portraying the memories of their past owners.By preserving their stories we can give value and retain the value of objects. These stories can give people insight into the lives of others, providing an overall richer understanding of their history and enabling a genuine connection with objects.Introducing Google Treasures:Google Treasures is a service that allows people to tag their cherished objects, connecting them to their history forever. Our mission is to enable people to perceive the value of things through their history, and the symbolic value they represent. Here we build genuine connections with both objects and people.Google Treasures prompts people to alter their perceptions of the value of objects around them. Here, users are encouraged to value objects based on the stories and memories they represent, rather than their brand, price, or newness. By altering consumption habits, we extend the life cycle of objects. Objects are no longer viewed as waste but as valuable objects within our lives. In extending the life of existing objects, we prevent the consumption and production of new objects, protecting our environment and our future.

“Google Treasures provides an opportunity for Google to change social behaviours, altering the way people perceive and value the objects around them. By collecting people’s memories associated with objects, Google can provide more answers to people. Google will become the source of connection for people across various generations, enabling deeper connections with our physical space and the objects that live within them.”