Laptop Decoration–A Cultural Collection

While bumper stickers for cars have been around for decades, the practice of laptop decoration is relatively new. Many students (both high school and college) engage in this practice of personalization with one of the most expensive objects they own–their laptop.  Other than their cell phones, laptops are probably the most-used electronic device for students, and these objects fulfill both a social and academic (or work-related) function. As such, they bridge the gap between playful and professional.

The collection of photographs of decorated laptops was documented on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at Penn State University. All of those photographed were enrolled in English 15, a first-year composition class. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 19.  The participants were asked about their reasons for choosing to decorate the laptop, what their stickers meant to them, and how they had obtained the stickers.  Interestingly, in an age of many slang words, every person interviewed about laptop sticker decorating (even those who are not pictured in this gallery) use the exact same word in the discussion: “cool.” The phrases ranged from “It looks cool” to “I think it is cool,” but that word surfaced in every discussion.

Many of the students reported that they purchased their stickers through RedBubble (http://www.redbubble.com/?gclid=CISKg_auydACFQ9MDQodvSoMdw), an Australian, online site. All who mentioned this site told me of the great deal that if you bought six or more stickers, they were all half price.

Margaret, New Jersey:

Most of Margaret’s stickers reference her school or her sorority.  The “treat yo’ self” references her love for junk food. The pink and blue hands form an arrow, her sorority’s symbol. The fries, arrow, and big Greek letters reference her sorority. The “O” in “Home” is in the shape of New Jersey. She attends Penn State. As for the other stickers, Margaret said, “They just looked cool.” She purchased her stickers from RedBubble and said she changes out her stickers about four times a year or so.

Bobbie:

Bobbie has stickers on the outside and inside of her laptop. She said the inside stickers were funny but were “not cute enough” for others to see on a public display. However, by having them inside the laptop, she was able to enjoy them. “Live the Fourth” is the slogan for a religious retreat group she attends, Kairos, which represents how the participants feel on the last day of the retreat.”Let Go and Let God” is another religious reference which she cited as a favorite phrase. Penn State references her school, while the city and flowers were “just something pretty. The other stickers are from TV shows.  The Scott 23 and the “Clothes Bro’s” are from One Tree Hill, and the remaining stickers honor The Office and Parks and Rec.  Bobbie said she purchased her stickers on RedBubble and would often look at other laptops to find stickers she liked and might want to purchase. She said she changes her stickers when they are worn out, but otherwise, she leaves them as they are.

Katie:

Katie’s stickers, like many other stickers, represent her life. She is very involved with THON at Penn State, so the “For the Kids” sticker references that. The K is her initial. She has a quote from Kanye West, “I feel like Pablo,” to reference a favorite singer. The turtle reminds her of family vacations to Vireo Beach where baby turtles hatch every year, and the Mickey Mouse head represents another family vacation destination. Penn State, her school, makes an appearance in the form of the Nittany Lion symbol. Katie volunteers at the Firefly Music Festival, so a sticker purchased there graces her laptop. Toms is a favorite brand of shoes,and Dunder Mifflin refers to The Office, a favorite television show. Shai LeBoeuf’s “Just Do It” is a motivator for her. LifeProof is the type of phone case she uses “because I always break my phone,” she said. She purchased about half of her stickers on RedBubble.

Stephen, Reading, PA:

Many of Stephen’s stickers were ones he picked up in various locations. The surf stickers were from a trip to Hawaii. The Darly’s House sticker was given to him by his parents who went there. “I thought it was cool,” he said. He is a Flyers hockey fan, so there are stickers to reference that. The Penn State Nittany Lions are his favorite football team. One of the stickers is from a remote control car company, a hobby of his. He said of the Optimus Prime sticker, “Why not?” Sean said he decorates his laptop to make it unique, and every sticker has some meaning for him.

Sean, Pittsburgh:

Sean’s stickers were mostly collected from travels or were given free with purchases of products. The shoe is from Vans and was given to him at the store with his shoe purchase. The video and the red of his Apple logo were purchased and represent the idea that we are always being monitored in today’s age. The Killington and Okemo stickers came from high school ski trips where they gave out stickers. The yellow, foreign word sticker is a brand of ski equipment, and Sean thought the sticker “looked cool.” He loves Vineyard Vines, so their iconic pink whale features on his laoptop. The Marker sticker came free with a shirt he purchased.

Jessica, Philadelphia:

Jessica’s numerous stickers were all purchased at RedBubble fand represent her many interests: Drake (Champagne Mama, the man image), yoga (Namaste, the Buddah image), favorite shows (Kardashians, The Office, Friends, Gossip Girl), political issues (marijuana, Trump, Harambe, and the patriotic hand), sports teams (Clippers, Penn State), and favorite quotes. The daisies represent the Electric Daisy Carnival, a music event she attends every year. G>AV stands for “God is greater than our highs and lows,” an inspirational saying to her. Jessica said about four times a year, she removes all the stickers and replaces them with new ones.

Alexa, Philadelphia:

Alexa said she found all of her stickers at RedBubble and was eager to mention the great sale for more than six being purchased. She said she chose her stickers both on her interests and by browsing through the “trending stickers” section. She rides a bike on campus, works at a coffee shop, loves Game of Thrones, Peanuts, and Grey’s Anatomy, and she has stickers to reflect all of these interests. The city skyline is of Philadelphia, her hometown. Female heroines are represented in the form of Hermoine Granger (from Harry Potter) and a quote from the live-action Cinderella movie. Her interest in yoga is represented by the “Namaste” sticker.  Alexa said she enjoys decorating her laptop because “it is a way to express yourself.”