Munus Shih

Duty Free

Installation, 2024

Duty Free is a speculative e-commerce site that unpacks how our labor as designers is valued under capitalism.  Instead of money, time is the main form of currency, offered in units of hours, as inspired by time-banking within solidarity economies.

Participants browse design services on an iPad, customizing offerings based on detailed attributes that determine the time required for each task. When someone reaches the checkout flow of the website, they are then prompted to identify what they can offer in exchange. These needs could look like cooking us a meal, giving us a ride, or facilitating a difficult conversation on our behalf. The participants receive a printed receipt of their transaction at the end of their experience.

Recognitions

  • Showcased at 2024 DEMO Festival

Toblerones as a staple at duty free stores. Parameterized to reflect number of hours user is requesting.

The production photo from the installation.

Store is called “Duty Free” — Fitting name considering duty free stores are where normal economic rules are suspended.

At checkout flow, transacting time instead of money,