Eatiquette is a guidebook developed to address the gap between evolving technology and etiquette in the 21st century. The handbook operates as a reference for restaurant goers on issues of etiquette concerning portable technologies. It takes note of some common mistakes surrounding the use of technology in restaurant settings and offers direction on what to do when these specific situations or topics arise. The book also uses these instances of inappropriateness to introduce a new sign system as a means of guiding individuals towards proper tech-etiquette. Eatiquette consists of written guidelines, illustrations, symbol designs that correlate with each situation, and various visual gimmicks that address issues of technology in public space.

Eatiquette was developed as an entertaining way to undertake the fact that there is a considerable lag between our growing dependency on technology and the appropriateness of its use in public space. Rather then restricting people from using their most beloved gadgets, it seeks to refine behavior and attitudes bred in the ignorance of etiquette where technology is concerned. While it acknowledges that technology has become an essential part of our social activities, the guidebook was designed to get people thinking about establishing common conventions in relevance to tech-etiquette. This includes the establishment of a universal sign system to help clarify guidelines for the use of technology in public space. The book is intended to have a virtual representation in the future along with a space online that would allow for a more dynamic exchange in ideas between the public, designers, and those that may find it relevant to implement some of the suggestions in public space


While there has been a huge evolution in portable technology and etiquette seems to differ from even under a hundred years ago, there seems to be a lack of evolution in the convergence of the two. While etiquette governs the way in which we socially interact with each other, technology seems to be a creating a large interruption to the way in which we understand and can implement these guidelines. As we confront new types or features of portable technology every day, we become increasingly baffled by the appropriateness of their use in public space. There currently exists a lag in the suitable use of portable technology in public space compared to the actual use of this technology.

Currently, there is very limited amount of information that discusses this topic and offers viable solutions for it. Furthermore, there does not currently exist a way in which people can catch on to what are some of the ways in which they can be mindful of others while still being able to enjoy the benefits of portable technologies in public space.



My present user base consists of anyone interested in technology and etiquette. I can see Eatiquette as most attractive to a younger target audience. These are generally active and social young adults that enjoy dining out and have proficient technology skills, owning one or more pieces of portable technology. I hope that the book also attracts other designers who have been considering technology etiquette as well as those that would gain from implementing consistent and universal systems that enforce etiquette for technology in public space.

Eatiquette can be used in several ways. Its main purpose stands as a reference guide for anyone going out to dinner that is worried about the proper way to tackle instances where etiquette becomes an issue as a result of technology. This person could go as far as taking the booklet out with them to in order to reference it, but more then likely it stands as something to give suggestions for instances that might occur in the future. As such, it could also be used as a design reference or even a coffee book to ignite conversation. In this way, it could ignite a viral start to conversing about issues of etiquette relevant to technology in public space.

Eatiquette has been divided into chapters discussing five portable technologies most prevalent in the restaurant scene. These include laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, iPods, and gaming systems. The book has been indexed according to these technologies, and the user may reference guidelines listed under various points relevant to each of these technologies. The points are made up of inappropriate uses of technology that the author has been observing at various dining establishments over the past half a year. Eatiquette consists of a visual world created from a combination of collaged photos and drawings manipulated via Photoshop. As each collage represents an observed tech-blunder, the points below offer suggestions for how to deal with such a blunder. These points have been gathered from web research as well as discussions with various people in the restaurant industry on how they wish patrons would utilize technology in their restaurant. In accordance to these points, the author has designed a symbol system (a series of signs) that might be used in relevance to the points being discussed in the book. These are the product of freehand sketching, and final manipulations via Photoshop. The writing in the book is light and at humorous at points, and has been designed in light of the entertaining nature of the rest of the book. As a package, this book hopes to succeed in implementing a storytelling nature to address a serious subject through rich visuals and scenarios that we can all familiarize with.

The process of researching a topic like technology etiquette was both entertaining and enlightening. Many of the field observances that I did by venturing out to restaurants with friends who were equipped with technology offered surprising results. The discussions held over technology in public space with various people from designers to restaurant owners were very informative and always raised new issues that I had not previously considered. I learned very early on in the design process of the sign system how important it is to ask other people for constant feedback.