Introduction
For this project, we had to make 4 boards relating to the theme of nature connectedness, the first being a research and manifesto board while the rest are themed around each of the 3 disciplines in Social Digital. For each of the 3 other boards we had to design a movable outdoor structure, a product and a user experience involving cameras and broadcasting.
Initial Research
I started to look into different areas I could potentially explore when it came to designing later and thought about some of the most pressing issues in the environment. I immediately looked at ocean plastic and the rise of throwaway consumables which have caused great environmental damage and are sure to do much more. My later designs could potentially encourage people to take action against this, think about their own consumption or even act as a way of reducing the existing problem.
I also wanted to look at local environments as I believe the landscape around us is highly important to who we are. The way in which people get caught up in day to day life and forget about what’s just outside of our cities is an issue which makes us lose our natural heritage in favour of a completely urban lifestyle. One aspect my designs could have would either be an incentive to go and explore these places or a way of bringing elements of these places to cities for those who aren’t able to go to these places normally.
I looked into the trending idea of houseplants and how we have almost domesticated plants in the same way we have done with pets. I thought that by bringing different elements of nature inside, we an build a closer connection to it, through sculpture or user experience.
Lastly, I wanted an example of an organisation who’s work has directly reconnected people with nature, through adding gardens in spaces where there was only brick to the re-use of old materials to rebuild furniture and more. I chose Granby Workshop to display as their work is not only important, but their home ware designs are very very cool.
Inspiration + Manifesto Board
I collated all of my research onto a document using a custom template which I would continue across all of the other boards.
Tentsmuir Visit
Before moving onto the remainder of the boards, the entire course took a trip to Tentsmuir forest and beach, where we could explore a large natural environment close to the city of Dundee. This allowed us to develop a connection between ourselves and the natural world and allow us to think more deeply about how we connect, and subsequently, disconnect, to and from it. We also used our time to collect a range of found objects and natural materials needed for the Product Design board, in which we would use these for prototyping. After a day’s exploring I had found a range of objects from waste plastic to driftwood and shells as well as having formed a better idea of the issues I wanted to address in my designs.
Interior + Environmental Board
From the Tentsmuir visit, I wanted to create a movable structure which would encourage people to go out and explore the natural spaces nearby. I used arches as inspiration due to the fact they engage people by making them wonder what lies through and and beyond. This curiosity makes people more likely to want to walk through them and explore.
My concept is for a movable arch or series of arches which encourage people to explore by acting as a doorway into a different part of the forest. I began by making a series of very quick sketch models using white card to work out how the final design would look. From this I was able to find that I preferred the more naturally shaped arches, either the one with branch like posts, emerging from the ground or the one inspired by the shapes of the coast. Each would be made from sustainable wood or recycled metal, if they were to be fully realised and constructed and could be placed around Tentsmuir or any other forest, woodland, beach or flatland.
Product Board
For the product board I wanted to create a product which could potentially aid in reducing waste and litter in our natural spaces and so looked into collecting devices such as nets and bags which could be easily carried around or made portable. These could also work alongside companion collecting receptacles located at the edges of the natural space (aka bins).
However, upon reflection of my Tentsmuir visit, I was reminded a lot of my childhood and how I would always find a good walking stick when out exploring that I’d carry around with me and often take back home, if my parents let me. I realised that it provides a strong connection between a person and the natural environment as the stick almost acts like a tool, helping the user to walk over the uneven terrain while also being able to push, point and poke at things. I felt like this could be a successful way forward as it played both to my nostalgia and the ways people can interact with the natural world.
I came up with various ideas for accessories which could be added to a stick before coming up with a form of collecting device, combining my initial two ideas. I thought by being able to collect things and affix them to a walking stick, it allows for the user to show off their findings while remaining a functional tool. By collecting rubbish left behind, adults can store it somewhere that won’t contaminate their bags or clothes and children can show off how much they have collected. If a user were to instead collect natural objects in the collecting device, it could build up a little microcosm of the plant life and landscape of the area ie. shells, rocks and seaweed for beaches or pine branches, leaves and bark for woodland.
I then started sketching how such a device would be attached to a stick, as I wanted it to be universally mountable. I believe much of the experience lies in the user finding their own stick which they can choose to keep using, or replace it each time they set out. I looked at various clamping methods using screws and pegs and thought that the most ideal would be a spring loaded peg or joint. This would allow for the quick assembling and disassembling when outdoors with no tools required.
I then looked into developing prototypes to represent what the final may look like. I quickly realised some form of mesh or grid held in front of the stick was a visually appealing design and would keep the found objects in place so as not to swing about. I started by making a couple of cardboard frames, which I attached paper and string to replicate a basic mesh structure. I was happy with the design and was ready to move on to the final design, incorporating some found materials.
The final was constructed using some scrap chicken wire and copper cable, which meant that none of the materials needed were new, reducing its carbon footprint to essentially zero. I cut the wire to a shield like shape with a large surface area and curved it to fit around the stick, leaving room for a hand to get behind and still hold the device. I used copper wire to mount it to the stick and finished it off with thread around the edges of the mesh, giving it a solid border.
I was very satisfied with the final product and its ability to hold onto found materials such as plastic, moss, pieces of pine and bark and even shells. If the product were to continue its development however, I would ensure the edges received a solid border with no protruding wire edges to ensure that it is safe to use by all and then recreate the clamping mechanism using wood for a more solid fixture.
Interaction Board
I felt that for my interaction board, I would make use of the advantages of broadcasting and create an experience which allows users in cities or towns to immerse themselves in nature, even if they are unable to travel. By using the virtual reality technology within mobile phones I wanted to design an app and camera system which would allow people to see natural spaces across the country through a VR headset.
I wanted to have the user feel as if they were in the forest and so, by using VR, they would be able to move their head to look around as if they were actually there. This would involve mounting 360 degree cameras to trees or rocks in order to move the perspective of the viewer. These cameras would then be accessed by an app named ‘Couch Explorer’ which would control the cameras and power the virtual reality experience by being placed in an inexpensive headset.
I finally wanted to add extra functionality and so, designed a user interface alongside a couple of features to improve the experience for all who use it. Firstly, I wanted to add a timer in order to allow others to access the cameras without waiting longer than 5 minutes to ensure there is little frustration and impatient waiting. I also wanted to include a capture feature allowing the user to take photos of the scenery plus any wildlife they spot. Finally, as a last touch I felt that a night vision mode would be very useful as it allows people to see nocturnal animals which would be frightened off too easily through other means.
Outcome
The final outcome is the 4 boards displayed throughout the blog post.
These were printed onto A2 sized boards and displayed at the end of module presentation show.
A copy of the original PDF is linked below.