{"id":{"repo_id":"ohiolink","oai_identifier":"oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ucin1337085167"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/ohiolink/oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ucin1337085167","repository":{"repo_id":"ohiolink","name":"OhioLINK","base_url":"https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/ws/oai/oai"},"display":{"title":"Make it Mine, Technology's affordance for self-expression","abstract":"Personal electronic media devices have evolved from being purposed-based articles into objects of projection; they are now existential embodiments of self. Today, for Generation Y, significance is not found solely in an object's design but rather in the malleability the platform affords. The purpose of design has shifted from aesthetics and performance to self-structured e-media platforms. This is driven primarily by each individual's need for personal possessions to reflect one's self. Aesthetics and performance are a given in today's narcissistic lifestyle. The proliferation of personalized electronic devices among Generation Y has pushed e-media to where product value has been supplanted by personal need and the desire to 'make it mine.' This thesis examines the changes in need and desire for personal possessions. By analyzing Generation Y's communicative evolution and emotional relationships towards malleable e-platforms we begin to understand Gen Y's desire for unrestricted information. These platforms have become a kind of Harry Potter-esque 'Horcrux' -- fragmented pieces of ourselves left in personal electronic media we use today. This is our new reality, our new 'self.'","abstract_html":"Personal electronic media devices have evolved from being purposed-based articles into objects of projection; they are now existential embodiments of self. Today, for Generation Y, significance is not found solely in an object's design but rather in the malleability the platform affords. The purpose of design has shifted from aesthetics and performance to self-structured e-media platforms. This is driven primarily by each individual's need for personal possessions to reflect one's self. Aesthetics and performance are a given in today's narcissistic lifestyle. The proliferation of personalized electronic devices among Generation Y has pushed e-media to where product value has been supplanted by personal need and the desire to 'make it mine.' This thesis examines the changes in need and desire for personal possessions. By analyzing Generation Y's communicative evolution and emotional relationships towards malleable e-platforms we begin to understand Gen Y's desire for unrestricted information. These platforms have become a kind of Harry Potter-esque 'Horcrux' -- fragmented pieces of ourselves left in personal electronic media we use today. This is our new reality, our new 'self.'","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Mankosa, Marcey A."],"institution":"University of Cincinnati","degree_name":"MDES","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Hildebrandt, Henry"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2012,"date_issued":"2012","date_published":"2012","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:36:23Z","subjects":["Design","Generation Y","Technium","Platform","E-media","Customization","Electronic media"],"languages":["English"],"rights":["unrestricted","This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws."],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1337085167","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Hildebrandt, Henry"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Mankosa, Marcey A."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2012"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Electronic Thesis or Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["MDES"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["University of Cincinnati"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Design","Generation Y","Technium","Platform","E-media","Customization","Electronic media"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["English"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["unrestricted","This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. 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The proliferation of personalized electronic devices among Generation Y has pushed e-media to where product value has been supplanted by personal need and the desire to 'make it mine.' This thesis examines the changes in need and desire for personal possessions. By analyzing Generation Y's communicative evolution and emotional relationships towards malleable e-platforms we begin to understand Gen Y's desire for unrestricted information. These platforms have become a kind of Harry Potter-esque 'Horcrux' -- fragmented pieces of ourselves left in personal electronic media we use today. This is our new reality, our new 'self.'"]},{"key":"dc:format","label":"Dc Format","values":["application/pdf","p.53","1.68 MB"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Make it Mine, Technology's affordance for self-expression"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Hildebrandt, Henry"],"dc:creator":["Mankosa, Marcey A."],"dc:date":["2012"],"dc:description":["Personal electronic media devices have evolved from being purposed-based articles into objects of projection; they are now existential embodiments of self. Today, for Generation Y, significance is not found solely in an object's design but rather in the malleability the platform affords. The purpose of design has shifted from aesthetics and performance to self-structured e-media platforms. This is driven primarily by each individual's need for personal possessions to reflect one's self. Aesthetics and performance are a given in today's narcissistic lifestyle. The proliferation of personalized electronic devices among Generation Y has pushed e-media to where product value has been supplanted by personal need and the desire to 'make it mine.' This thesis examines the changes in need and desire for personal possessions. By analyzing Generation Y's communicative evolution and emotional relationships towards malleable e-platforms we begin to understand Gen Y's desire for unrestricted information. These platforms have become a kind of Harry Potter-esque 'Horcrux' -- fragmented pieces of ourselves left in personal electronic media we use today. This is our new reality, our new 'self.'"],"dc:format":["application/pdf","p.53","1.68 MB"],"dc:identifier":["http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1337085167"],"dc:language":["English"],"dc:publisher":["University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK"],"dc:rights":["unrestricted","This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws."],"dc:subject":["Design","Generation Y","Technium","Platform","E-media","Customization","Electronic media"],"dc:title":["Make it Mine, Technology's affordance for self-expression"],"dc:type":["Electronic Thesis or Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design"],"thesis:degree_level":["masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["MDES"],"thesis:institution_name":["University of Cincinnati"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:36:23Z"}