Designing a Speculative Closed-Loop Experience
Green Lab, is a non-profit sustainable startup that aims to radically change the way our food is produced and consumed to catalyze new sustainable food systems.
In partnership with the Green Lab team, I was part of a creative project with the purpose of designing a circular economy experience using biomaterials (algae, pork gelatin, turmeric, vegetable glycerin) existing at the Green Lab.
To comply with my non-disclosure agreement I have omitted confidential information related to Green Lab. All the information in this project is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Green Lab.
The challenge –
Design an experience using Green Lab’s biomaterials
Our goal for the project was to design a closed-loop system for people to experience. Our ambitions were to create an empowering physical experience that engages our audiences.
My role
I led the design of this project between February 18 2020 and February 21 2020. I worked alongside: A product designer, a visual designer, and a psychology student on the research and design scope of the project.
Kickoff -
Understanding what a closed-loop system is
As we started with this project, my team and I were tasked to collectively think of an existing system/object as example that defines a “closed-loop system”.
After brainstorming for about 40 minutes, we came up with a few examples of a closed-loop system (a set of elements or devices that automatically regulate a process variable to the desired state or setpoint without human interaction). It's a way to conserve natural resources and divert waste from landfill.
Our examples were: The solar panel cell mechanism and the earphones closed-loop system linked to recycling. We produced sketches of the process of each example. I was in charge of drawing the solar panel cell example. Ann Chen drew the earphones closed-loop system.
Found examples that define a “closed-loop system”. Drawings done by Ann Chen and I.
Exploring with Algae
First, Anoushka Cole, the material lab curator, taught us how to mix pork gelatin with algae, vegetable glycerin, and water in the pan to create solid products.
As a further step, my group and I created a flat algae sheet and other abstract shapes with the same components used to get familiar with mixing biomaterials.
Algae flat sheet. Photograph taken by me.
Deep insights -
Brainstorming ideas around ‘speculative design thinking’
On a later stage, we started by brainstorming ideas related to ‘speculative design thinking’. We first thought of designing a bio cutlery to save the planet we live in, but then realized it is too far-fetched.
Furthermore, we got inspired by the fact that many cultures celebrate death differently. In other words, every religion buries dead bodies inversely based on a specific culture. Also, Anoushka informed us that algae are a ground fertiliser and that algae and bacteria mixed together would help the decomposition of a dead body.
As for my part, I did two literature readings to understand how to develop an abstract design thinking out of raw materials. The first one gave me knowledge about designers’ critical practices regarding speculative designs for the future, and the other one covered how natural components enable a human body to decompose after death.
A shared interest -
The embodied experience of death and body decomposition
After brainstorming collectively with the team, it was obvious that we had a common interest, the experience of death and body decomposition. Therefore, we decided to create wearable gloves for dead bodies made of algae mixtures and other biomaterials.
We mixed algae, glycerol, pork gelatin, seeds, and water. To create a slimy texture, we massaged the gloves with oil, filled it with water, then dipped them with algae powder. Once they dried, we removed the stuffed water and we’ve got transparent algae gloves.
Tanvi Kulkarni wearing the Algae glove. Photograph taken by me.
This image shows our three glove trials. Photograph taken by Dr. John Fass.
Introducing ‘The decomposition suit’
Moving forward, we noticed that producing only gloves is missing the concept we are trying to convey through our project for it was too literal and not deep enough regarding the project brief. Therefore, we did our research about death and found that the first organ that decomposes in the body is the stomach, and then the neck.
So, we decided to create a wearable suit made of algae and seeds that would help digest the body and decompose it faster.
We made algae sleeves and used a transparent textile to wrap it around the body.
Algae sleeves. Photograph taken by Dr. John Fass.
As for the first decomposing organs, we crafted colored shapes out of algae and beetroot mixed. Haining Qu sewed them on the suit. We named our project ‘The suited decomposition’. On another note, we added seeds to the gloves as a symbol of the growth of plants from the dead body. We wanted to speculate about the creation of life after another life. We, therefore, intended to give back life to the environment.
This image shows Tanvi Kulkarni wearing the decomposition suit with the colored shapes sewed on top of it by Haining Qu.
This image shows Tanvi Kulkarni body storming a dead body wearing the decomposition suit.
Finally, we created a map that shows the materials we used and the purpose of their context of use. Tanvi Kulkarni was wearing/ body storming our designed suit, while Ann Chen, Haining Qu, and I presented the project and showcased our drawn map.
Map of materials used. Illustration done by me.
The impact -
Positive feedback from the course leader and Green Lab team
The overall feedback was great. Dr Fass thought that our design experience is rich in terms of the depth in speculative thinking. The Green Lab team mentioned that we knew how to use mediums to come up with an abstract design project.