As a ceramic designer, I create pieces in clay, mainly on a small scale. I like to make pieces that can fit in the palm of my hands. For many years, I have made intuitively small pieces because it feels right to me; I love their size and how it feels holding them. To me, it feels friendly, intimate, and manageable. I have an emotional connection to these crafted tiny creations; strangely, they comfort me.
Many people love miniatures and tiny things, and it is defiantly a trend; the DIY and craft movement has a part in it. You can find many Instagram accounts dedicated to small stuff and miniatures. From miniature food to miniature gardening, furniture, and tiny kitchens.
But Why do people love small objects? What’s behind our obsession for the very tiny pieces?
It started in the 17th century in northern Europe, in Germany, Holland, and England; dollhouses were very popular. They were designed for adults and were used first to display and show off wealth and expensive objects, and second as a teaching tool for girls, when mothers show daughters how to become the lady of the house, as they demonstrate how to control and set up their environment.
From the psychological side, Dollhouses and miniatures play are safe spaces with significant control, fulfilling a particular need.
We find comfort playing with small-scale pieces. It gives us the illusions of control; we don’t feel threatened by tiny pieces because we connect them with toys and child play, which provides us with comfort at an early age.
Many times, smaller pieces are cute; we connect cuteness to size. Cuteness motivates us to protect the object of our affection resulting in gentle and caring behavior. We tend to feel less threatened when something is smaller or mini.
Research has shown that the human eye draws to tiny pieces with a rich surface and a lot of information; these are highly appealing to our senses. As humans, we attract and seek tactile sensory stimulation.
So yes, all things miniature give us an illusion of security. It is manageable and not threatening. Of course, it is very satisfying to hold an itty bittie piece in your hand, but maybe it’s all about the non-digital connection? Our need to take a tiny break from digital living, and just play again?
Why do we love tiny stuff?
Why do we love tiny stuff?
As a ceramic designer, I create pieces in clay, mainly on a small scale. I like to make pieces that can fit in the palm of my hands. For many years, I have made intuitively small pieces because it feels right to me; I love their size and how it feels holding them. To me, it feels friendly, intimate, and manageable. I have an emotional connection to these crafted tiny creations; strangely, they comfort me.
Many people love miniatures and tiny things, and it is defiantly a trend; the DIY and craft movement has a part in it. You can find many Instagram accounts dedicated to small stuff and miniatures. From miniature food to miniature gardening, furniture, and tiny kitchens.
But Why do people love small objects? What’s behind our obsession for the very tiny pieces?
It started in the 17th century in northern Europe, in Germany, Holland, and England; dollhouses were very popular. They were designed for adults and were used first to display and show off wealth and expensive objects, and second as a teaching tool for girls, when mothers show daughters how to become the lady of the house, as they demonstrate how to control and set up their environment.
From the psychological side, Dollhouses and miniatures play are safe spaces with significant control, fulfilling a particular need.
We find comfort playing with small-scale pieces. It gives us the illusions of control; we don’t feel threatened by tiny pieces because we connect them with toys and child play, which provides us with comfort at an early age.
Many times, smaller pieces are cute; we connect cuteness to size. Cuteness motivates us to protect the object of our affection resulting in gentle and caring behavior. We tend to feel less threatened when something is smaller or mini.
Research has shown that the human eye draws to tiny pieces with a rich surface and a lot of information; these are highly appealing to our senses. As humans, we attract and seek tactile sensory stimulation.
So yes, all things miniature give us an illusion of security. It is manageable and not threatening. Of course, it is very satisfying to hold an itty bittie piece in your hand, but maybe it’s all about the non-digital connection? Our need to take a tiny break from digital living, and just play again?