029 - MARK I

I decided I wanted to create some sort of storage unit that "forces" data onto the user. I was still thinking about how to incorporate the live data into the product. In order to interact and use the product, the user must touch it (the coffee table/storage unit) and thus exposing the live data. The aim being to encourage the user to have a sense of responsibility which is not otherwise encouraged. This responsibility is specifically in relation to climate change, the severity tends to be minimised in the Global North.

I wanted the storage unit to have another function other than just showing the data. I sketched possible ideas, including the coffee table, shelving, a bathroom mirror storage point,

In the sketches below, to get into the storage bit, (where you can have the telly remote, books or toothpaste for example) the user must spin the panels. By touching it, it'll trigger the data to be displayed.

I really liked this example of LED's shining through by Dave's DIY youtube channel (link at the end of this blog). I thought I could use this method to display the data through the panels.

I thought perhaps I could have a different data set for each panel, the information appearing when you touch the individual panel.

Very lofi model to get a feel of the spinning panels.

There were a few issues with this however. If I had one data set per panel, it is logical to assume that the bottom panel will be touched a lot less, perhaps not at all as you can spin the others around it. This meant that the data would be seen a lot less. It would also be a lot less visible. Also this model would require electricity to show the data, which means wires coming from the table. Could be solved by having the unit placed against the wall.

From this, I decided to create design constraints for this unit.

1. Data to be shown randomly, alternating between air pollution, world average temperature and sea levels.

2. Data will be shown upon touching the product, therefore the user is unable to se the product without being shown data.

3. Unit to be placed against wall, for ease of electricity access.

4. Needs to have more that just the function of showing data.

Dave's DIY Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Ux_I4Gl30&vl=en-GB