REVALUATING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH DEATH Theresa Wiesinger
REVALUATING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH DEATH Theresa Wiesinger, May 2018
CONTENTS
01.
02.
03.
Introduction
Research
Ideas & Prototypes
- Approach
- Death and Cultures
- Idea Generation
- Aims & Objectives
- The Human Body
- 1st Prototype Iteration
- Previous Research
- Microbiology & Bacteria
- 2nd Prototype Iteration
04.
05.
06.
Final Prototype
Branding
Testing
- Development
- Competitor Analysis
- Test kits
- Arduino
- Naming
- Focus Groups
- Final Prototype
- Logo
- Overall Reflection
01. INTRODUCTION In a world where the average human lifespan is
For this Major Design Project, which is a part of
longer, our population is overtaking the planets
the MA Interaction Design degree at Edinburgh
available space both in life & death. With longer
Napier University, I decided to take a closer look
life, humans are forgetting their relationship with
at the topic of ‘Revaluating our relationship with
death. Also, increasingly spatial, financial and
death’ through various aspects.
environmental factors are impacting the transition between living and non-living.
Through extensive research and analysis, the project went through a detailed design process,
Can we approach our future death in a more
leading to the speculative design outcome
valuable way?
presented in this development book.
This project aims to provide our future society with an alternative perspective to the afterlife. It presents a new way of thinking about natures role in the human process of decomposition and enables people to be more closely connected to death.
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Approach Death is a natural occurring event, which every
The most common approach towards design
human being has to face one day. However, it
is the one about problem solving. To think that
is also one of the least discussed topics in the
wherever there is a problem there also must be
modern western world.
a way to solve it.
Over the last century our life expectancy
However, some of the problems and challenges,
increased by about 30 years, changing not
which our society faces nowadays and in the
only the way we live but also the way we die.
near future, are simply unsolvable by a single,
Through medical and scientific breakthroughs,
straightforward design solution.
death mostly isn’t an unpredictable event anymore. Therefore, sooner or later we will not
Therefore, I decided to choose a speculative
only face an enormous overpopulation on this
approach to my project as this will allow me to
planet, but also the challenge to prepare
design for a variety of outcomes in a defined
ourselves for an increasing amount of deaths in
near future environment. By collecting facts and
the near future. This will not only challenge the
details about the topic of death and our
way our society approaches the end of their lives
relationship with it from the present, I’m able to
but will also lead to a high demand in burial sites.
explore speculative future design approaches in order to find an alternative design solution
However, our built environment nowadays gives
towards the problem.
little thought to cemeteries & burial vaults, which results in the fact that we are slowly running out of room to house our dead. This makes death not only a lucrative business, but also contributes to our societies death-neglecting state of mind and is the cause of possible future problems.
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Aims & Objectives
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This project aims to provide people with an
Through analysing how our society might evolve
alternative approach to the afterlife. It presents
in the near future, the project focuses on
a considerate, efficient & environmentally friendly
revaluating our death as well as our relationship
way of thinking about death in context with the
with it. It simply introduces a new way of thinking
process of decomposition.
about living and non-living.
The project aims to make
The project proposes to
society re-think current
take a closer look at
burial and death practices.
natures role in the human
It encourages us to open
process of decomposition
up our minds towards more
through the growth of
controversial but also more
specific bacteria. It also
environmentally friendly
aims to offer emotional
funeral option.
support as living memorial.
Previous Research The research abducted prior to this project has been a big influence regarding the approach as well as the unique perspective of the proposed context of the designed product. Through researching people’s behaviour in context with waste disposal, I was able to gain an insight into people’s relationship towards litter, the apparent problems and how this bond might evolve in a speculative environment through the observation of current behaviour patterns. By taking the approach of re-thinking how our relationship with waste might be influenced in the future, I decided to apply this onto a more uncommon subject, the one of death. By re-considering our relationship with death and by thinking outside of common norms and traditions, I was able to propose a unique approach towards the topic.
An example of people’s waste disposal behaviour
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02. RESEARCH My research in the field of behavioural changing
analysation of people’s needs as well as three
design and waste disposal led indirectly to this
main research topics, which include ‘Death and
projects topic of revaluating our relationship with
Cultures’, ‘The Human Body’ and ‘Microbiology &
death in a speculative environment. The research
Bacteria’. These research topics are individually
conducted in this context features a general
introduced in the following pages.
Defining the projects topic through mind mapping
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‘Death, Trash and Design’ - redefining relationships through mind mapping
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Death and Cultures
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Our planets population consists out of billions of
depends on a variety of aspects such as our
people, with each individual person being part
culture, religion and certain traditions. For this
of a different cultural region. However, we all
project I took a closer look at how other cultures
have one thing in common - we all die. But the
approach death and how it differs from our
way how we die and how we treat our dead
traditional western burial traditions.
By researching other cultures
I researched a variety of
approach to death, I gained
other death traditions
an insight into how their
in our modern-day age.
understanding differs from
Through analysation and
ours. I could also define
comparison, I was able
what might cause people
to identify some common
to re-think their approach
points & how those might
to death in the future.
be affected in the future.
Research of different cultures throughout the world and how they approach death
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Mind mapping western burial traditions
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The Human Body Death and the human body go hand in hand. To fully understand what happens to a dead person I decided to research this topic to a certain extend. By knowing how a human body decomposes, I could gain an insight into how this might affect our relationship with death both in the future and present. I took a closer look into the composition of a human body and how it can be analysed in terms of chemical elements. By doing so I tried to define the value of a human body and how this might affect our future relationship to death as well as its objective value.
Composition of the human body (Andrew O’Dowd)
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Released chemical components and gases during the human decomposing process
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Microbiology & Bacteria The projects main approach of Bio Design and microbiology meant that extensive secondary research had to be conducted to gain a substantial overview of the topic. By doing so, I was also able to gain enough knowledge to carry out primary research. Growing bacteria gave me an insight into the environmentally aspects that can affect some microorganisms. Additionally, a visit to the Lava Beds National Monument in California, showed me the variety in which bacteria can occur.
California - Lava Beds National Monument The lava caves host a great variety of bacteria and microorganisms.
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A colony of sparkly actinomycete bacteria coats the surface of the Golden Dome Cave
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Growing my own bacteria To grow bacteria on my own I used a number of petri dishes, some nutrient agar (gelatinous growing material) and a bunch of sterilised cotton buds to collect already existing bacteria strands. A warm and dark place together with a bit of time did the rest!
Results Through my primary research I learned that various agar consistencies affect the growth of bacteria alongside with other factors. By conducting this experiments, I was able to gain an understanding of bacteria, which influenced my projects design.
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03. IDEAS & PROTOTYPES Within this section my ideas and prototype
lasted for various weeks. Through analysing the
iterations are introduced and shortly explained.
ideas and comparing them to existing products
During this development stage of the project,
and concepts, I was able to conceptualise the
the final idea and concept were established
final design outcome, which will be explained
through an idea generating process, which
further in the next chapter.
Idea Generation After the research stage, I started to generate ideas. Inspired by my research into Bio Design, I soon realised that my approach to this project would have to be speculative in order to give even the most ridiculous idea a chance to prove itself in a future environment. Through dividing the ideas into three stages (build-up, death and after death) I decided to design a concept, which will act in multiple purposes, targeting a wider audience.
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1/3 - Sketching out possible ideas
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2/3 - Sketching out possible ideas
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3/3 - Sketching out possible ideas
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Idea development
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Settling on one idea and generating if further
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Working on the ideas concept
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1st Prototype Iteration Through the idea generating process I settled on my final idea, a product which provides an advanced approach towards death and our relationship with it. The speculative product will provide multiple purposes, allowing the user to grow body decomposing bacteria as well as to use the bacteria at the end of his or her life. The product could, after the initial user’s death, be used as a remembrance object. During this first prototype stage, I started to visualise my idea and to create 3D models to explore shapes and sizes.
1st prototype Through making this easy and simple prototype, I received quick feedback and was able to iterate my design accordingly.
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A screenshot of the first constructed prototype model in the Rhinoceros 3D application
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2nd Prototype Iteration Through developing and testing the first prototype I was able to analyse and identify some design issues, which I improved in the second prototype iteration. I developed the concept further and designed a more detailed 3D model to be able to visualise the concept better. I defined the environment of the product, such as when and where it should be used as well as a detailed breakdown of functions. Later in this stage I developed a simple real-life prototype to identify further design issues and work on the usability of the prototype.
2nd prototype Through developing a 3D model in Rhinoceros, I was able to explore not only shapes & sizes, but also various materials.
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A screenshot of the second constructed prototype model in the Rhinoceros 3D application
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DEATH A beneficial & personal �at home� burial through bacteria composting
Form a relationship with your own death through growing bacteria, which will compost your body once your life ends
Let your loved ones be aware of your bodies composting process through precise measurements shown through various lights
PRODUCT CYCLE
BEFORE DEATH
AFTER DEATH
Examination & personal preparation for your physical departure
Emotional support for family and friends after your physical departure
Be remembered by your loved ones through exchangable lids, which are embracing your smell, voice and comforting colours.
The designed product cycle for the second prototype
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MORLUX
APPROACHING DEATH DIFFERENTLY morlux© provides an advanced approach towards death and lets you actively make decisions regarding your point of transition, your benefit towards this world as well as your loved ones life without you, instead of living in the state of �death denial�. morlux© comes in a kit providing you with four of the original devices plus different rememberance lids, a variety of bacterial cells as well as the re-usable death-suit packaging.
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Top lid (wood or cork) One of five lids which can be changed according to the needs of the user/the stages of death
Vacuum vessel (biodegradable plastic) Provides support to the petri dish; makes it possible to pick up & drop off the bacteria on the petri dish
Petri Dish (biodegradable plastic) Bacteria will grow on here; it will be put within the grave where the bacteria can decomposte the body
Lights (source of heat) Small lights, which provide heat for the bacteria to grow (can be changed via Arduino and/or an app)
Bottom lid (wood or cork) One single bottom lid, which can also be taken off to get access to the small lights
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What is it? MORLUX is a �death kit� for people with an advanced approach towards their own death, the value of their body as well as the life of their loved ones without them. Through MORLUX you can prepare yourself for your own departure by growing and forming a relationship with the bacteria which will compost your body once your physical life ends. MORLUX will also provide your loved ones with personal support during this emotional point of transition.
How does it work? MORLUX comes in a kit providing you with the following: -
four MORLUX containers with the original bacteria lids a variety of bacteria and fungi four different remembrance lids (sight, touch, smell and sound) re-usable packaging which works as a death-suit
MORLUX is designed to involve you in every step of your death through three different steps, which are: 1. BEFORE DEATH - Examination and personal preparation for your physical departure (Form a relationship with your own death through growing bacteria, which will compost your body once your life ends) 2. DEATH - A beneficial & personal �at home� burial through bacteria composting (Let your loved ones be aware of your bodies composting process through precise measurements shown through various lights) 3. AFTER DEATH - Emotional support for family & friends after your physical departure (Be remembered by your loved ones through exchangeable lids, which are embracing your smell, voice and comforting colours)
A definition of what the product is and how it works
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When and why do we need it? MORLUX is a speculative product set to be introduced to the market in 2033. The introduction of the product comes at a time where space is getting rare on earth. Thus, graveyards are being perceived as unnecessary and a total waste of space, resulting in an urgent need for a new global burial solution. Ideally this solution should not only deal with our ever-growing population and our limited space but should also be more environmentally friendly than other current methods such as cremation. This is where MORLUX comes in as it proposes an advanced approach towards death and burials without disturbing any current religions or beliefs in any way. MORLUX is simply introducing a new way of thinking about bacteria in terms of our death and introduces a three-stage programme, incooperating the growth of bacteria which will be added to our body in a natural burial setting in order to make a human body de-compost in a fracture of time, making it possible to re-use burial space more frequently. MORLUX can also be used in terms of remembrance reasons, resulting in the fact that grieving people will not be attached to any grave/gravestones in any way.
Who needs it? MORLUX targets a variety of people in a speculative future, but will mainly focus on people of all age groups preparing for a natural death as well as terminally ill people suffering from cancer or other diseases.
A definition of when and why we need the product as well as who it targets
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Self-made prototype
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Made from simple, everyday materials
2nd prototype By making this prototype, I was able to understand how the design is working in real life and how I can improve it.
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04. FINAL PROTOTYPE At the boundary between death, technology and
It enables people to be more closely connected
science, the morlux prototype provides society
to death by growing bacteria. Through the real-
with an alternative perspective to the afterlife.
time communication of decomposition data
It presents a new way of thinking about natures
via a transmitter it also acts as a living light
role in the human process of decomposition.
sculpture and memorial.
Š
Development The development of the final prototype was carried out over various stages, starting from simple sketches to 3D computer models and real-life prototypes. The following chapter will give a brief overview of what I have done and especially why I did it. To conclude, I think that the final prototype provides a good insight into how the real product would work as well as how it would look like when fully developed.
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Technical drawings of the final prototype
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1/2 - Prototype measurements
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2/2 - Prototype measurements
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DEATH A beneficial and personal ‘natural burial’ through bacteria composting
Form a relationship with your own death through growing bacteria, which will compost your body once your life ends
Let your loved ones be aware of your bodies composting process through precise measurements shown through various lights
PRODUCT CYCLE
BEFORE DEATH
AFTER DEATH
Personal preparation for your physical departure
Emotional support for family and friends after your physical departure
Be remembered by your loved ones through an eternal comforting white light.
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MORLUX
APPROACHING DEATH DIFFERENTLY MORLUX© provides an advanced approach towards death and lets you actively make decisions regarding your point of transition, your benefit towards this world as well as your loved ones life without you, instead of living in the state of ‘death denial’. MORLUX© comes in a kit providing you with a customisable device and a variety of bacterial cells as well as plenty of information regarding it’s usage and natural burials.
Top lid (vacuum vessel made out of resin) A vacuum vessel lid which can be take off in order to gain access to the growing bacteria. Also features small holes, fighting possible condensation.
Petri Dish (biodegradable plastic) The bacteria will grow on a petri dish, which will be inserted with the body into a natural grave where the bacteria can composte the body.
Exchangable Ring (various materials) Provides support to the petri dish; makes it possible to pick up and drop off the bacteria. Also acts as a divider between the two other parts.
Lights (source of heat) Lights which provide heat for the bacteria to grow. They also indicate the composting process of the body as well as act as the eternal white light.
Bottom lid (various materials) A bottom lid, which can be taken off to get access into the inside electronics.
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What is it? MORLUX© is a ‘death kit’ for people with an advanced approach towards their own death, the value of their body as well as the life of their loved ones without them. Through MORLUX© you can prepare yourself for your own departure by growing and forming a relationship with the bacteria which will fastly compost your body once your physical life ends. MORLUX© will also provide your loved ones with personal support during the emotional point of your transition.
How does it work? MORLUX© comes in a kit providing you with the following: - a fully customisable MORLUX© container - a variety of bacteria cells - information regarding it’s usage and natural burials MORLUX© is designed to involve you in every step of your death through three different steps, which are: 1. BEFORE DEATH - Personal preparation for your physical departure (Form a relationship with your own death through growing bacteria, which will compost your body once your life ends) 2. DEATH - A beneficial & personal ‘natural burial’ through bacteria composting (Let your loved ones be aware of your bodies composting process through precise measurements shown through various lights) 3. AFTER DEATH - Emotional support for family & friends after your physical departure (Be remembered by your loved ones through an eternal comforting white light)
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When and why do we need it? MORLUX© is a speculative product set to be introduced to the market within the next ten years. The introduction of the product comes at a time where our lifespans continuously grow longer, and our population slowly starts to exceed the planets available space. Thus, death has become a highly lucrative business and by delaying the inevitable we are not only losing our relationship with death, but also face new spatial, financial and environmental challenges. This is where MORLUX© can offer you an alternative solution for your future death. By working on the cutting edge between death, technology and science, MORLUX© offers an advanced approach towards the topic, without disturbing any current religions or beliefs in any way. It is simply introducing a new way of thinking about bacteria in terms of our own death and introduces a three-stage programme, designed to involve you in every step of your own death. This programme includes the growth of bacteria, which will later be added to our deceased body in a natural burial setting in order to make it de-compost in a fracture of time, making it possible to re-use burial space more frequently. MORLUX© can also be used in terms of remembrance reasons, resulting in the fact that grieving people will not be attached to physical graves and gravestones any longer.
Who needs it? MORLUX© targets a variety of people in the near future, but will mainly focus on people of all age groups preparing for a natural death as well as terminally ill people suffering from cancer or other diseases.
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A product render made in the software KeyShot 7 using copper, glass and concrete materials
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Product render featuring hard shiny plastic, glass and a dark gem stone
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Product render featuring polished chrome, black leather and glass
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A product render using anodized titanium, glass and a fine grain wood
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1/4 - Prototype variations (wooden base, copper ring and resin dome)
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2/4 - Prototype variations (cork base, copper ring and resin dome)
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3/4 - Prototype variations (black PLA {Polylactic acid} base, copper ring and resin dome)
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4/4 - Prototype variations (wooden base, copper ring and glass dome)
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CNC Machine The CNC (Computer numerical control) machine was used to create two out of the three base prototypes in this project. Through the use of the Rhinoceros 3D software, a model of the base part was created, which then got exported as a stereolithography file format (stl) to be sent to the CNC machine. Using only limited amounts of cork and layered plywood as materials, I had to split up the model into various parts in order to get it machined.
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The CNC machine in the lab
Drilling out the cork bottom
The wooden bottom was made out of three parts
The used CAD (Computer-aided design) software
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The bottom part of the design made out of cork with the help of the CNC machine
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Layered plywood was used for another design made with the help of the CNC machine
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3D Printing For the middle, ring like part of the prototype, I wanted to show a variety of material options and decided to 3D print the parts featuring various filaments. Using the Ultimaker 2 Extended+ 3D printer, I was able to produce middle parts out of black and grey PLA (Polylactic acid) as well as copper and wooden infused filaments. I also designed and printed a black PLA version of the bottom part of the prototype to add to the other options.
Various 3D printing filaments, which were used
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A failed attempt using the wooden filament
The used Ultimaker 2 Extended+
Printing with the grey PLA filament
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Black PLA filament was used to 3D print some middle parts of the prototype
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Grey PLA filament was used for another version of the middle part
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A copper filament was used to 3D print the middle part of the final prototype
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Black PLA filament was also used to print one of the bottom parts of the prototype
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Silicone mould For my final prototype I wanted to not only design but also make as many parts as possible by myself. To do so I had to find a way to produce the top, dome shaped part. After doing some research I decided to try and make a silicone mould to use it for a resin cast of the dome shaped part. The process I went through to design the mould can be seen over the following pages and involved a lot of hard work and a variety of materials.
The 3D printed dome shaped mould template
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3D printing the dome shaped mould template
The self-designed frame for the mould
The used utensils
Pouring the silicone into soapy water
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The dome template placed in the frame
Failed first attempt - not enough silicone
Improvising after the failed attempt
Making the silicone mould outside the frame
The finished outer layer of the mould
The dried outer layer of the silicone mould
More silicone was used for the inner layer
Repeating the process for the inner layer
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Taking the silicone out of the soapy water
Final touches on the inner layer of the mould
Letting the inner layer of the mould dry
The two parts of the mould drying separately
Silicone mould The two parts of the final silicone mould, which were used to cast the two resin domes of the projects final prototype.
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Resin To visually represent the bacteria within the prototype, I decided to cast some resin petri dishes with my personal interpretation of the decomposing bacteria included. To do so I researched the process and acquired the necessary resin products and colours. Additionally to the petri dishes, I also used the resin to cast two versions of the dome-like top part of my prototype with the self-made silicone mould.
The used utensils for the resin petri dishes
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The workspace
The two-component epoxy resin
A variety of colours were placed in the resin
The resin petri dishes in a silicone mould
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1/3 - One of the three bacteria symbolising petri dishes for the final prototype
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2/3 - One of the three bacteria symbolising petri dishes for the final prototype
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3/3 - One of the three bacteria symbolising petri dishes for the final prototype
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Resin Petri Dish One of the casted resin petri dishes, symbolising the growth of bacteria. It is mounted above the NeoPixel LED ring.
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The resin domes casted with the self-made silicone dome
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The resin domes The polished and finished resin domes, which were casted with the help of the self-made silicone mould.
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Glass Cutting In addtion to the self-made resin dome shaped parts, I decided to acquire two more domes made out of glass. I contacted a variety of glass manufacturers throughout the UK, however due to various circumstances it was not possible to have them custom made. The two glass domes I did acquire in the end aren’t the exact size and therefore, I tried to cut one dome to the exact size myself. This wasn’t successful, so I left the last dome as it is for the final prototype.
The used utensils to for the glass cutting trial
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The slightly too tall glass domes
Trying to cut the glass domes myself
Careful measurements needed to be made
The glass was too thin to be manually cut
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Arduino For the prototype to display the three chosen
an Arduino Uno board. Mounted within the base
stages of the human decomposing process (25%,
part of the prototype, the Arduino Uno is not
50%, 75%) as well as the eternal white light (100%),
visible but powers the visible LED ring through
I purchased an Adafruit 24 RGB NeoPixel LED
an exchangeable 9V battery.
(Light-emitting diode) ring, which I connected to
Arduino code The code for the Adafruit NeoPixel to work together with the Arduino Uno board was divided into small steps, starting with downloading and opening the Adafruit NeoPixel library. Then the used PIN on the Arduino board was defined. In the next step all four colours were defined before setting up the brightness and the loop. Lastly each of the 24 pixels of the ring got defined by the same colour for each cycle. Each cycle lasts for ten seconds.
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1/3 - Arduino code
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2/3 - Arduino code
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3/3 - Arduino code
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A self-made platform to conceal the electronics from view
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The electrical components and the wiring
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The bottom part of the prototype acts as storage
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The assembled bottom part pictured from above with all the electronics concealed from view
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Final Prototype
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The final prototype features a wooden base, a
is wired to an Adafruit NeoPixel ring. When
copper middle piece as well as a glass dome.
activated, the ring goes through the process of
To visualise the bacteria growth, a resin petri
displaying the different light phases associated
dish is also included. Visually hidden in the base
with the human decomposing process as well
is an Arduino Uno powered by a battery, which
as the eternal white remembrance light.
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05. BRANDING Through the branding of my concepts speculative
at a later stage of the project with an advanced
company and product, I can distinguish it from
prototype. However, firstly I decided to merge
possible rivals and make it attractive to potential
the branding of the company with the product
users. However, I’ll only define the name & logo
itself. Users won’t be confused with various
as the marketing and advertising will be added
names and entering the market will be easier.
Competitor Analysis To start the branding process of the product as well as the company, I performed a quick competitor analysis. Through this analysis I could not only identify possible competitors within the field of death services, but I could also compare them to one another. Through doing so I was able to identify exactly where my branding can stand out amongst them. It also provided me with inspiration towards the naming and logo design.
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Naming
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The process of finding a name for both the
In the end I decided upon the name morluxŠ,
product and the brand itself was a challenging
which is easy to read, unique and appealing.
task. Through researching the types of names as
The name is a portmanteau combination out of
well as dividing my ideas into different categories,
the Latin word mors, which means death and
I was able to narrow the selection down.
lux, the Latin word for light.
Researching types of brand names as well as a variety of approaches
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Logo With the name already selected, the logo design
To enhance the readability of the logo I used the
was the final step of the branding. Ideally, the
open source modern sans serif font ‘Gilroy’ in the
logo should stand out from the crowd, be easily
Extra Bold weight.
recognised as well as communicate the brands image and identity.
The colour palette is kept simple to enhance the brand and product rather than to interfere. It is
To achieve this, I decided to use a combination
also easily convertible into a Greyscale colour
mark logo. This type of logo is a combination of
scheme.
a wordmark/lettermark and a pictorial/abstract mark. A combination mark logo creates a
The pictorial mark within the wordmark of the
distinct and recognisable image! It is also a
logo symbolises an abstract petri dish and a dot
versatile choice as the name is associated with
of bacteria. In my opinion, this provides a playful
the image, thus reinforcing the brand.
yet subtle hint towards the brand/product.
The final logo (GREY {C= 58; M= 51; Y= 41; K= 30;} YELLOW {C= 0; M= 20; Y= 100; K= 10;})
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A variety of logo sketches
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06. TESTING To gain qualitative feedback of the projects
group. Additionally, a one-to-one interview with
concept and the final prototype, I conducted
a field specific PhD student was carried out,
two different methods of testing. Those methods
providing the project with a different perspective.
include the production & contribution of specific
In the following pages a short insight into each
test kits as well as the conduction of a small focus
of the testing phases of the project is given.
Test kits To gain qualitative feedback of one specific aspect of the projects concept, I produced a high-quality set of ten test kits. These kits are testing how a variety of people react towards growing their own bacteria. The test kits evaluate if the concept of the project could work in a future environment. The kits where handed out to then people, five who knew of the project and five who didn’t know anything about it.
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1/2 - The test kit This picture shows all the paper-based materials of the test kit. It includes the instructions, questions, a day counter, pen & tape.
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2/2 - The test kit The two pictures on this spread show the paperbased materials as well as the included petri dish and sterilised swab.
The front view of the full test kit
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The rear view of the full test kit
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Test kits - Results Most of the participants were able to grow bacteria on their own and some even managed to form a sort of relationship with it. However, for two participants this experiment didn’t work as the bacteria was not growing. Overall, I can conclude that the tested concept received mostly positive feedback and proofed my concept. In the following pages I showcase the results of four participants, of which two knew the project and two didn’t.
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Day 1 - Test Person 1
Day 1 - Test Person 2
Day 1 - Test Person 3
Day 1 - Test Person 4
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Day 3 - Test Person 1
Day 3 - Test Person 2
Day 3 - Test Person 3
Day 3 - Test Person 4
Day 5 - Test Person 1
Day 5 - Test Person 2
Day 5 - Test Person 3
Day 5 - Test Person 4
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Day 7 - Test Person 1
Day 7 - Test Person 2
Day 7 - Test Person 3
Day 7 - Test Person 4
Test Person 1 - Feedback 1/2
Test Person 1 - Feedback 2/2
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Test Person 2 - Feedback 1/2
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Test Person 2 - Feedback 2/2
Test Person 3 - Feedback 1/2
Test Person 3 - Feedback 2/2
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Test Person 4 - Feedback 1/2
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Test Person 4 - Feedback 2/2
Focus Groups To gain more qualitative feedback about the
The focus group consisted out of four female
projects concept as well as the prototype itself,
participants in their 20’s, which fits the target
I decided to conduct a small focus group on the
audience of my product, considering that it is a
17th April 2018. As the moderator of the focus
speculative proposal aimed for our future society.
group I asked the participants about their
Overall, it gave me great insight into how the
perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes
product can be improved as well as what people
towards the topic. The focus group was held
think about the controversial subject of this
in an interactive group setting, where everyone
project. The conversation is available to listen to
was free to talk with every member of the group.
via the QR code or link on this page.
Listen to it here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-693434399/major-project-focus-group-17042018
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In addition to the focus group, I also conducted a one-to-one conversation with Richard Thompson on the 13th April 2018. As a PhD research student at Edinburgh Napier University, Richards interest lies in death and digital data. Talking with someone who is professionally interested in the topic, provided a very different kind of feedback and undoubtedly provided me with helpful information. It gave me the chance to look at the project from another angle and highlighted that certain details in the concept need improving.
“Death is life. But not for the person, for the bacteria�
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Overall Reflection Working on this project for the last four months
Testing the concept and talking about it with an
proved itself difficult sometimes, but nevertheless
interested audience gave me a few of these
it was an experience which I didn’t want to miss.
valid improvement points as well as a new perspective on how to think about the project.
Overall, I can say that my topic was chosen well and that there never was a dull moment during
The project, as it is at the moment, provides a
any phase of the project.
sneak peek into a world full of possibilities. It is a mere prototype of how our society might
Working with such a sensitive topic proved to be
deal with death in the future and how this might
interesting in a variety of aspects and definitely
even improve and evolve over the next years.
broadened my horizon towards microbiology, death and our relationship towards both areas. Going through a full creative cycle, from the spark of an idea up to the final touches of a prototype has been time consuming but rewarding as I could witness how the project improved over the weeks and months. Nevertheless, working on such an extensive project always provides the creator with room for improvement.
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MA INTERACTION DESIGN MAJOR DESIGN PROJECT MAY 2018 Theresa Wiesinger