Mode-bending
Exploring My Bag Through Sound and Touch: A Sensory Redesign – Inspiration from https://blogs.ubc.ca/sourabhaggarwal/2025/01/15/whats-in-my-bag/
Hello, everyone! I’m Sourabh Aggarwal. In this particular blog post, I’ll take you on an auditory journey to explore the contents of my bag.I’m changing the sensory and semiotic modes from visual (where I previously showed an image of my bag and the link I have mentioned at the beginning of the post) to a more immersive, sensory experience—focusing on touch and sound. Instead of showing you the items, I’ll describe how they feel to touch and the sounds they make when I interact with them. Through this, I hope to explore how each item in my bag reflects my identity, values, and engagements with the world.
1. The Water Bottle
Let’s start with the white color water bottle. As I pick it up, I can feel the cool surface with my hand. The bottle is made of stainless steel, so there’s a satisfying coldness when I grip it. When I open the cap, I hear a soft “click,” and the sound of water flowing into my mouth is soothing accompanied by the faint metallic echo from the bottle. This simple item serves as a reminder of my commitment to sustainability and health, keeping me hydrated throughout the day.
2. The Laptop
Next, I take my MSI laptop out of my bag. The metallic surface feels solid and heavy, and when I press the keys, I hear a satisfying “click” as I type.The laptop starts up with a soft hum, signaling the start of my workday. The laptop is essential for both my professional and personal tasks, whether teaching, researching, or connecting with others. This tool is crucial for my job a a post-econdary educator in Canada , and it connects me to my students and the digital world (Peña & James, 2024).
3. The Pen from Mexico
Now, let’s talk about the pen from Four Points by Sheraton in Cancun, Mexico. It’s a ballpoint pen with a smooth surface that rolls comfortably between my fingers. As I click it open, there’s a subtle but satisfying “click” sound. When I write, the soft scratching of the pen against paper reminds me of the handwritten notes I took during my travels. Whenever I write something with this pen, It brings me to back to my memories which makes me emotional and happy at the same time. The act of writing by hand adds a personal touch to the digital world I mostly navigate, representing my cultural experiences and love for travel.
4. The Wallet and Its Contents
The next item is my Ted Baker wallet, which I open to reveal multiple currencies: a Canadian dollar coin, a U.S. five-dollar bill, and a 500 pesos note from Mexico. The rustling sound of bills is a reminder of the diverse places I’ve visited and my global ties. As I touch the coins, I can feel the smoothness and at the same time, I can feel the texture of the paper bills. The tactile experience of handling different currencies helps me connect to my international ties and the economic diversity I encounter (Peña & James, 2024).
5. The Book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
The final item in my bag is the book Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, which is being placed neatly into the side pocket of my bag. The book cover is sturdy and it feels firm under my fingers, with textured fabric that gives it a premium feel. As I flip through the pages, the soft rustling of the paper is comforting, a sound that signals intellectual engagement and curiosity. This book represents my interest in business and success, and it helps me learn more about entrepreneurship.
Using sound and touch helps me connect more deeply with the items. For example, the sound of water from my bottle or the feel of a pen in my hand brings back memories and reminds me of what I care about (Peña & James, 2024). Describing what something feels like or sounds like is not always easy, but it makes the experience richer. Now, I have experienced the visual and sensory experience of all the item present in my bag. I hope this gives you a new way to think about the things you carry every day. What do the sounds and feelings of your items say about you?
References:
Peña, E., & James, K. (2024). A framework of transmediation. Convergence, 30(5), 1610-1624.
