The battery, specifically the AA battery, has an immediately recognizable shape. It’s become a universal symbol of electrical energy and an icon on our mobile phones. However, as well as it’s shape is known, it is only distantly related to its actual function. Of course it must be made to fit inside electronic devices, but the barrel shape of the battery is somewhat arbitrary. Instead of seeing the battery for its function, I wanted to specifically take advantage of this form.
I decided to combine three batteries into a long cylinder shape to create a writing utensil. In this way, the battery loses all ability to function as it once did. It now solely relies on its form to carry out this new affordance. I like this transformation because it turns what is typically seen as a digital object into more of an analog tool. It also no longer supports other objects from hidden compartments. Instead of empowering another tools, it becomes the tool to be used.