In the market for that special Valentine's Day gift? Have a burning question about vibrators? Don't know who to turn to? Relax, Recess has your back. Intrepid Music Editor Macy Parker contacted Mr. Jesse Crossen, a design student at N.C. State who is currently working on a vibrator prototype, and got the low-down on makes and models, modern feminism and flanges.
Any tips on what makes a vibrator good for someone in the market? Are there any basic categories to be aware of?
A good vibrator should fit the purpose you have in mind for it. There are some vibrators specifically for external (clitoral or penile) stimulation, and others that can also be used for internal (vaginal or anal) stimulation. Portability can be a criterion - usually there is a tradeoff between the portability of battery-powered models and the power of plug-in models. I personally think battery-powered models are better, because you aren't tied down to a wall jack or worried about electrocution.
Discretion is also an issue; some vibrators are obviously sex toys while others are disguised as tubes of lipstick, underwear or even rubber duckies. You can also choose between materials like silicone, which is quite expensive and luxurious, vinyl, which is cheaper but must be cleaned carefully to avoid bacteria, and plastic, which is cheap, durable, and fairly cleanable. Also, I must mention safety - always clean your toys, always use a condom when sharing, and never use a vibrator for anal play that does not have flanged base. Price is a big concern for us poor students, but I think the quality of the experience is based more on a playful and exploratory attitude than on an expensive piece of equipment.
Have you done any research into different types of existing vibrators, and if so, do you have any recommendations for our readers?
I strongly recommend the California company Good Vibrations. It is woman-owned, and they provide great information on vibrator use, safer sex and so on, and every product they sell has been tested by the staff. You can go to their website (www.goodvibes.com) for much more in-depth info.
How will the vibrator you're designing be different?
What I have noticed about the vibrator market is that it seems to be separated into two extreme camps. On one side, you have the "personal massagers" that you might find in K-mart, which are marketed just like appliances, with a clean and white aesthetic.
On the other side, you have the sex toys, which are marketed like smut, with garish colors and silicone-enhanced porn stars on the box. I think it is characteristic of American culture to divide sex this way, between clinical and dirty, virgin and whore. I believe that a middle ground exists and is very powerful, but it is not very well represented in the media or in the world of products. That is why I am designing a vibrator that will be based on modern feminist ideals and will stand at the intersection of smart and sexy.
How did your fellow design students react to your project idea?
I am getting a really positive response from my peers, and I think this is precisely because the project is out of the ordinary. My friends are helping me out tremendously with good ideas, and some of them have volunteered to test drive the prototypes. I want this to be a collaborative effort as much as possible.
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