Excursion: Tentsmuir Forest
As an initial form of research a day trip was planned to Tentsmuir forest just north of St Andrew’s. This allowed for the collection of found objects for the previous aspect of the project and furthermore to take pictures and points of reference for designs. This overall aspect provided an experience of physical research, of going to a relevant location and discovering ideas of what could be and how could ideas be used (similar to the project of “Making Spaces”). Furthermore, insights were then gathered into the type of areas and land available for use, how our projects may interact with such environments and then furthermore how to develop them to fit in further, to accentuate the land rather than take away from the experience providing a nature connection rather than a disconnect.
On further analysis of the locations of interest within my images, notes were taken of a similar arch and basic circular shape amongst almost all photographs was taken, this is due to the overall lack of maintenance on the growing flora and the lack of support the higher the branches are. This provided a real-life motif on which to base aspects of my design upon rather than just the basic natural designs of: leaves, honeycomb, waves etc. The natural wave provided in the branches also provided relevance on the possible addition of a unique pattern similar to bark in the final design, a way to bring the uniqueness of nature into the final technology-focus, streamlined and precise design.
It was discovered through this excursion that many people who venture to areas such as Tensmuir partake in their own creative outlet within the grounds, that being graffiti of abandoned pillboxes and other amenities. This created several conclusions with the main being:
- Those venturing into nature were using it as a silent cover to reconnect with others rather than the environment – a social clause.
- The abandoned aspect of the building within nature allowed for the greatest flow of creativity possibly due to a sense of calmness, controlled isolation and general control therefor a sense of europhoria and happiness – a mental clause.
These insights provided the basis for my concept construct, that the idea that brought people back into nature should be one of social activity and mentally freeing in the sense of being creative or being in control of a situation. This would provide the greatest connection as not only is the person taken out of their normal life and placed into nature to reconnect in some way but is also provided with the tools to reconnect with why we go into nature, to go back to our own nature (to be social, to feel happy/warmth, to feel as part of a community and a part of the world around us).
Defining Research
Defining the digital interaction idea was that of a need for camera which originally brought on the idea for a VR based project with an aspect of live-streaming from one device to another. Due to the possible long distance aspect of the concept and the over arching idea of connecting to nature I decided on bringing this VR concept to the disabled and bed bound (mainly in hospitals or in a social setting). This line of enquiry was developed upon due to the overwhelming positive nature that may be caused by such an experience, it has been noted scientifically that observing nature through photography can cause a positive mindset growth by reducing stress and creating more Serotonin (the chemical responsible for wellbeing and happiness) which in turn causes an increase in social interaction and healing due to the relaxed positive state of the body – all of which could assist in the rise of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts recorded amongst such a demographic with the NHS Digital’s Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in 2014 showcasing a 43% rise in those who claim out of work benefits, double the rates of 2007 possibly due to feelings of inadequacy through the Fit-to-Work assessments in this case*.
VR Research
As a point of research, it was decided to look into the existing use of VR within the sector of patient usage, especially with the elderly due to the relatively new nature of VR with the fear being that it would perhaps have an adverse effect however, inspiration and reassurance was found in the Rendever group, a company that utilises VR to allow the elderly to explore areas of the world they may know or may have been told about as a way to reduce loneliness and isolation through socialising due to the reliving of stories by revisiting areas virtually and by inspiring patients with new experiences, creating a better sense of self-worth and a new found enjoyment for life.
Due to the new advancements within the realm of VR, more and more people are gaining access to utilise its brilliance through the use of eye trackers and more adaptive controllers creating the perfect device for generating a connection between a large group of patients affected with a number of issues as everyone can access such a device and then socialise over their new found shared experience. Other assistive technology can also be added for sound (e.g. no earphones for those with sensory issues, connection to implants for the deaf) and visual (e.g. motion sickness, glaucoma, even blindness through the use of a visualiser or on screen adjustments) issues.
References: https://learningspaces.dundee.ac.uk/soc-dig18-amaduncan/2019/04/19/references/