Digital Ownership
Design Academy Eindhoven
What does it mean to own a virtual body or character?
In a world where the boundaries of ownership blur—through social media, smart technology, and digital products—the question becomes increasingly complex. Do we truly own our smart devices, or even our online identities? And in the era of NFTs and “if the product is free, you are the product,” what does ownership really signify?
When you receive your own Efi, you also receive a physical object: a box containing Efi’s Terms of Service and Conditions. Inside, you’ll find a printed manual and a scaled tangible model of Efi’s body.
The manual outlines what Efi can and cannot do, as well as what you, as the owner, are permitted to make her do. It includes visual explanations and guidance on how to read and interpret terms and conditions—transforming an otherwise abstract, digital agreement into a physical, almost ritualized process of “owning” something that defies tangibility.
