Empowering people to upgrade / customise / repair their possessions without disposing of entire objects. Accessible to all this Block system facilitates the evolving capabilities of highly personal products, encouraging stronger object-user relationships; a viable means to promote product longevity.
"I'd rather have a better product than consider the greater good"The convenience of upgrading products supercedes environmental concern and object value. Targeted obselescence breeds a culture of fear of 'tampering' for making a situation worse. The pursuit of new technological experiences therefore results in entire products going to landfill instead of replacing specific obsolete part[s].

There is need to provide a hassle free system that appeals to our consumerist nature; considering a user’s desire to upgrade to experience modernity. Products should be designed to consider object value and the capacity for this to be added to.

UPGRADABILITY vs. DISPOSABILITY
SOLUTION:
Products perform a series of functions. By reducing entire products to Block components, an object can contain all the necessary mechanical and electrical components to deliver it’s functions with individual blocks talking to each other through magnetic electrical connectors forming a fully functional product. In the case of product obsolecence, users can simply upgrade or replace the relevant Blocks.

A web based platform offers users the ability to not only diagnose faults but to choose replacements/upgrades from a library of different Blocks - further promoting the mass customisation of objects. A sound system can be broken down into a number of Blocks. 'Modding' is highly popular method of creating personalised possessions, by harnessing this potential the Block Platform can meet consumer demand for a convenient system of repair and upgrading.

TAILORED BLOCK PARTS
DIAGNOSIS PLATFORM >> BLOCK UPGRADE BANK
CONSIDERATE CONSUMPTION
SERVICE DETAILING:
This cyclical Block System can be broken down into four main areas of service provision; the future proofing of personal products through the implementation of Blocks, a repair facility to provide simple diagnosis of faults, the ability to upgrade as and when desired, and to provide incentives to keep products for longer. These take the form of in-brand rewards and discounts to stimulate greater object/user attachements, boosting consumer loyalty, prolonging a products lifespan and reducing resource waste.

The diagram (right) highlights some of the main features of the service. It is important to notice the steady accretion of brand loyalty reward points. This cyclical approach to consumption is expressed through the infinity loop to illustrate how upgradability and maintainance would promote a products durability.
USER JOURNEY:
01. ADVERT & PEER TO PEER RECOMMENDATION
After many years of use Michael's sound system finally breaks. He decides to replace his old system and starts searching for the best product. He decides that an advert for a future proofed system would best suit his needs.
02. TAILORED MODULAR BLOCKS
Michael purchases a basic Block sound system because he can tailor the product by mixing different Blocks. This level of mass customisation creates a strong bond between Michael and his new Block product.
03. SWAP/TRADE BLOCKS = LONGEVITY/ENJOYMENT
Michael proudly tells friends of his creation and his friend Tom buys into the system too. The two friends begin to trade and swap Blocks; comparing sounds and generating different object/user relationships.
04. BRANDED BLOCKS
In comparison to Michael's music library Tom's is minimal; consequently Tom frequently borrows Michael's DATA Block. After seeingthe Spotify Streaming Block advertised Michael realises it's potential and buys one as a gift for Tom.
05. THE BLOCK BANK
Michael clicks the Spotify link which takes him to the Future Proof Platform. He browses the Block Bank and purchases the Spotify Block. Upon receiving the gift tom is ecstatic, he attaches the Block straight away and begins to enjoy his new music.
06. FAULT & DIAGNOSIS
Time passes and Michael's Audio-Out Block begins to glow red: indicating a fault. He connects the sound system to the computer, logs into the Future Proof Platform and runs the Block Diagnostics which suggests a replacement Block.
07. BLOCK REPLACEMENT
Michael receives the new Block the next day. He snaps off the old Block and replaces it with the new upgrade. All the Blocks return to displaying a white glow and the old Block is sent back to the Future Proof brand who recycle it.
08. DESIRE TO UPGRADE
Michael eventually feels left behind after his friends have all purchased the most recent and improved Block platform. He begins to grow complacent and starts browsing his online personalised Block Bank.
09. REWARD & ADVOCACY
However, Michael is fast approaching his 2 year brand anniversary and in reward for his loyalty he is offered a discount off new Blocks. Michael decides to wait a little longer, eventually purchasing his new Gain Block without replacing an entire product. Satisfied, he advocates the success online.
© 2011 BEN PAWLE