EXPLORING USER-PRODUCT INTERACTION IN CAR MODIFICATION PRACTICES

Abstract

This study delves into the dynamic interaction between the creative activity of car modification and the qualitative aspects of modified car ownership and usage. The study aims to explore experiences and meaning generated in and through the material reproduction of cars. Employing a grounded theory approach, the research investigates car modification communities in Istanbul, Turkey. The findings are structured into two main sections: The Driver, which focuses on car owners' experiences derived from in-depth qualitative interviews, and The Car, which explores the material aspects of cars through the analysis of modifications. The study revealed that car modification transcends mere material reproduction. Rather, it unveils a complex interplay where cars are shaped by their owners, while simultaneously shaping their owners in diverse ways. By altering the materiality of their cars, individuals not only forge material relationships but also cultivate new amalgamations of sensual and social relations and experiences. Through altering the materiality of their cars, car owners tailor the experience of driving and give a concrete form to their social and personal identities.