The Time Capsule of Meaning, Memory, and Design

Today, I’m revisiting my entry for the Time Capsule Contest at Toronto Metropolitan University , where graduate students were asked to photograph personal objects of deep significance—items we would place in a time capsule for our future selves.

I won the Gold Award (along with a nice cash prize, which was much appreciated! ??), but looking back, I realize my submission was about more than just objects. It was a reflection of a moment in time—a moment when I had just arrived in Toronto from Tokyo, carrying a few cherished possessions but navigating one of the toughest periods of my life, both financially and emotionally. Survival mode didn’t leave much room for sentimentality about my own self.

Fast forward to today: I’ve earned my Master of Digital Media degree, and thankfully, life is in a much better place. My personal objects remain the same, but my feelings toward them continue to evolve.

The Meaning We Attach to Objects

At their core, objects are just that—things. Inanimate. Cold. Scattered across our desks or floors, seemingly trivial. Yet, they weave themselves into the fabric of our lives.

Some we work hard for, waiting months or years to acquire. Others enter our world uninvited—gifts from a friend, a colleague, a fleeting moment. But over time, they become part of us. They hold memories, emotions, and meaning that transcend their physical form. They turn our spaces into sanctuaries—intimate, safe, uniquely ours. They connect us to loved ones, past experiences, and even versions of ourselves we’ve left behind.

From Objects to Design: The Power of Human Research

As a product designer, I think a lot about creating meaningful experiences. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Never jump straight into a survey.

Early in my career, I made that mistake. Now, I begin with deep, open-ended conversations, focusing not just on a product but on the emotions, behaviors, and aspirations of real users. This came to me in our Interaction Design class with Professor Steve Cober , where my team worked on improving Zara’s e-commerce navigation.

Instead of relying on quick user polls, we conducted 20 in-depth interviews. I used my journalistic skills to lead free-flowing conversations, letting users open up about their experiences with shopping, beyond just Zara. Transcribing and analyzing these sessions uncovered insights far deeper than usability concerns—we learned about shoppers’ frustrations, joys, fears, and even the psychology behind their choices.

We all have objects that hold stories—a childhood toy, a handwritten letter, a concert ticket stub. Some remind us of where we’ve been; others inspire where we’re going.

So I’d love to hear from you:

?? What’s one personal object that holds deep meaning for you?

?? Why does it matter?

Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories!

#UXDesign #ProductDesign #UserResearch #Storytelling #TimeCapsule #Memories #HumanExperience #meaningfulUX #MDM

Master of Digital Media at Toronto Metropolitan University