Intro
NOVA Analytica
The sustainability of our planet and our agency to rectify the current climate crisis is an important value to myself. To communicate this value of mine, I chose to utilize my skills in physical prototyping along with physical and digital computing to create an impactful immersive experience. With this fictional futuristic prop device that lives in a time and place that does not yet exist, I hope to communicate the value of sustainability.
Project Narrative
Humanity fled Earth due to climate change and overuse of resources, hopping from planet to planet. Scientists developed a device to analyze new materials encountered on these planets, which became essential for survival and prosperity, and later adapted to analyze artifacts from Earth for learning from past mistakes.
The Device
This device communicates the climate change neglect narrative currently facing our planet. The placement of selected materials/artifacts triggers a series of animations.
Fungus
Fungus is the only remaining form of non-animal life found on Earth. The fungus feeds off of the natural decay and humanity’s failure to respect its home planet.
Cassette
This cassette is a remembrance of the music found back on Earth. This particular cassette holds a record of music from Christmas. As humanity begins anew on a new planet, this object remains a tangible link to a distant but cherished past.
GamePad
Found on planet Earth, this GamePad is a reminder of the activities that once brought joy to people on Earth. By embracing the values of culture and tradition can we build a future that is sustainable and fulfilling for all of humanity.
The Objects
Unkown Mineral
A mineral with a unique structure that could have a wide range of novel applications. With its rare element content it could be an invaluable resource for future human colonies.
Animations
Animations show device functions and communicate information about the four objects.
Project Process
Initial Definition of Concept
The project began through my want to make a technologically imbedded device that would immerse the user. An emotional connection through interaction was something I wanted to deeply explore.
Concept Sketches
Basic sketches of form following direction of project. Forms needed a screen for displaying information and a scanning bed. I was beginning to consider the idea of using RFID tags for object recognition, so this played a role in form giving.
Memory Orb from Blade Runner 2049 for inspiration
Object Scanner
I decided to make a speculative device for material/object scanning in a post-earth existence. I was inspired by the retro-futurism design style, and associated products and props. I was also driven by my passion for sustainability and wanted to tie in a relevant futures scenario.
Physical Prototyping
A pink foam model was made early on to confirm size and rough interaction based on ideal internal components. This concept was too rudimentary and communicated computer more than scanner.
The second model had the right amount of detail, adding parting lines and breaking the form to better communicate different functions within one device.
The final pink foam model better seated the device and felt like the right balance of computer/scanner, but needs more detail for evaluation of more specific details.
I made a more refined model using tooling board. This model confirmed rough proportions and the elements of interaction. The scanning arm finally felt like a cohesive component and the presentation of the screen feels natural in relation to the whole form.