Abstract (150 Words)
The experience we have of a place is a combination of what we see, read and hear about it. From social media to virtual reality, today we have even more ways of traveling the world, both physically and imaginatively. As digital technologies become more advanced, the depiction of space becomes more immersive and new forms of narrative emerge. This allows us to experience travel through other people and ultimately become the traveler ourselves. This research examines the images, objects and tools—or “devices”—that allow us to experience travel without the need to move. Through a qualitative analysis of these devices, we can understand how they create a myth of travel and reach a definition of “non-travel,” allowing us to better understand and talk about the contemporary experience of travel. Does non-travel mean it is now possible to take a virtual holiday, and would we want to?
Non-Travel: the role of design in the experience of contemporary travel
The experience we have of a place is a combination of what we see, read and hear about it. From social media to virtual reality, today we have even more ways of traveling the world, both physically and imaginatively. As digital technologies become more advanced, the depiction of space becomes more immersive and new forms of narrative emerge. This allows us to experience travel through other people and ultimately become the traveler ourselves. This research examines the images, objects and tools—or “devices”—that allow us to experience travel without the need to move. Through a qualitative analysis of these devices, we can understand how they create a myth of travel and reach a definition of “non-travel,” allowing us to better understand and talk about the contemporary experience of travel. Does non-travel mean it is now possible to take a virtual holiday, and would we want to?