Major Studio 1 | Final Project | Paper – Outline

Introduction

A. Brainstorming ideas with peers

B. Finding a specific topic / inquiry after mind-mapping

• who, what, where, why, how:
• personal experience – orienting to a new place, need for plants – a sense of familiarity
• plants – liven up space, therapeutic nature, make one feel ‘at home’
• context and relevance – time and place (post pandemic, New York City)

C. Initial research inquiry: How can houseplants serve as a companion for new-comers in a New York City apartment?

The Research Phase

A.  Primary Research:

discovery -> questions -> reflection

• • design values – asking stupid questions
  • peer interviews
  • site visits, exploring the city
  • talking to nursery owners, plant enthusiasts
  • talking to people in community gardens

B.  Secondary Research:

• • books, periods, journals, articles
  • park / garden websites
  • finding precedents

C.  Insights & Themes

• • dichotomy/ juxtaposition
  • light
  • sensory
  • seasonal / change / colour
  • symbiosis

D.  Final Research Inquiry:

I am studying how people interact with, and are influenced by, plants and foliage in there everyday lives in New Yorker City, so that I can highlight the indispensable, dynamic relationship between the two.

 

Process

A. Brainstorming & Ideation

B. Exploring themes of:

• concrete establishments encroaching green spaces
• plant and human symbiosis and interaction
• seasonal changes in nature
• texture and form

C. 7-in-7 Prototypes

1. p5.js sketch: saving Central Park from new concrete developments

2. laser cut acrylic leaves that were

• backlit
• tested against coloured backgrounds
• using threads to simulate the texture of veins
• using risography to split the various colours of a leaf

3. Arduino connected to LEDs that would glow when there is sound input. Users can talk/sing/ play music to plants and in turn, the grow light would glow

4. creating plant-based dyes to paint postcards representing secret gardens of NYC. QR codes on the cards would lead directly to the garden website/blog. Using natural dyes that would fade with time ties well with the loss of these green pockets in the city

5. creating a drum covered with fallen leaves that is backlit to illuminate and focus on the details. textures, forms and colours of the leaves

6. plant care tracker app that can be paired with planters and devices that work as buzzers/alarms

7. robotic plant that would respond to human interaction / motion / touch

 

D. Shortlisted prototypes for user testing –  based on feedback, will be focusing on:

— backlit leaf drum to be made larger, allowing users to enter

• will test with phone torches, emergency lights, and tube light
• in pairs (one controls the light while the other follows)
• as a solo experience (adds to the sense of discovery and allows for self reflection)
• fully backlit drum with a series of lights (simulating lights of hydroponic systems)

— Arduino prototype controlling plant needs using sound/ other human interaction or input

• observing what users say / play / initial reactions
• can iterate using other inputs such as touch/buttons
• testing the size / shape / colour / position of plant and grow light

— postcard with plant dyes – could be made into posters as well

• could users paint these as well, with the provided dyes – would it increase empathy / sense of responsibility / awareness by drawing a personal connection?
• how would they mix the dyes
• how would they react to sample post card – dismiss/ ignore/ scan the code?

 

E. Documenting the testing:

• • using photo/video
  • asking questions, gathering feedback after
  • creating a survey/ google doc to receive feedback / inputs / suggestions / comments
  • testing outside of class during Thanksgiving break

F. Iteration & Testing

G. Final Prototype

• • interactive
  • sense of awe and excitement
  • getting the message across – informative / didactic
  • allowing for reflection on user’s own relationship with plants

H. Reflection