Laptop Stickers: Is There a Narrative?

In class, many students are often distracted by interior noises, activities going on outside, or doing other work. I’m distracted by other people’s laptop stickers. Interests, inspirations, experiences, and personality can be displayed through the simple expression of the strategically placed laptop stickers.  

My own laptop is decorated with rock icons from the 60s and beyond. The Doors, Blondie, Oasis, and Inhaler are among some of the music legends featured on the back of my laptop, giving the outside world a glimpse into an essential component of myself. Getting compliments on my stickers is one of the highest forms of appreciation to me. 

I talked with one of the most knowledgeable people I know about laptop stickers. Maya Mackey ’24, has some of the coolest laptop stickers I have ever seen. Most of which consist of Pink Floyd lyrics and unique pop culture references. I asked her if she believed that there is a narrative behind the concept, to which she affirmed. “Yes, definitely. It’s a form of personal expression, it only makes sense that stickers, like any form of art, may exist with the purpose of communicating as well as initiating a specific dialogue.” 

In the process of expressing ourselves, we also interpret the expression of others. When asked about making assumptions about others based on their laptop stickers, Maya said, “I think it’s fair to say that stickers, whether intentionally or not, communicate certain things about a person—they act like the clothes you wear, or the music you listen to. Personally, I think it’s only natural to make assumptions about people based on the stickers they, usually purposefully, display, however, I wouldn’t go as far as to say said assumptions truly cloud my judgment as to a person’s character.”  

I also spoke with Phoebe Jones ’27, who agreed, saying that “they [stickers] all represent different aspects of my personality or things that I like.” She explained that even if a sticker doesn’t represent an important part of your personality, it can give a clear idea of some things that you like. 

I have found that they are also good conversation starters. In my own experience, I’ve had people approach me or start conversations based on the artists that I have displayed on the back of my laptop. Mackey has had similar experiences. In fact, she hopes her stickers attract like-minded people. “One of the greatest compliments ever is when someone compliments one of my stickers, or asks to see my laptop/water bottle. In my opinion, my stickers actually make me more approachable, and they even make it slightly easier to make friends. A lot of my stickers are also memes, and so I hope they communicate easily to others my sense of humor.” I would have to agree, it may be hard to mentally navigate how a person will act with a plain laptop. With stickers, you have a better chance of gauging a person’s actions and personality. Plus, imagine how boring it would be if none of us decorated our laptops. 

So, why do we do this? From my conversations with friends, I’ve gathered that we want others to understand a little bit about us. However, they can also hold memories, stories and experiences that we want to hold on to. Stickers from home, places we’ve traveled to, or where we have worked help remind us of what makes up our lives in a broader sense. Mackey insists that some of her stickers are “pieces of my life that I can take with me, wherever I go.” “For example, living in Germany, one of the things I miss most about home is my dogs—so my water bottle here has a sticker of the two of them, that I can look at whenever I’m missing them. My stickers are just as much for me, far more so, in fact, than for others.”  

Finally, it is hard to have cool stickers if you don’t know where to get them. Mackey recommends the brand Redbubble. “Good quality, waterproof and relatively inexpensive. Plus, when you buy stickers from Redbubble, you’re supporting small artists, which is pretty cool.” Try small businesses! 

So, the next time you notice someone’s laptop stickers and you like them, let them know. It could make that person’s day, or the beginning of a friendship. Whatever your narrative is, allow yourself the freedom to express it through the limited space on the back of your laptop. It’s part of who you are.