I interned for one month at a Swedish Product Design company called Greenworks. During this time, I was exposed to a very different work culture than what I was used to. The project I was given was separate from the company’s current projects, meaning I was entirely on my own to plan, manage , and finalize the project.
I interned there with another student from my school. We began discovering the company together, so our beginning brand analysis was done as a pair. All work following that is independent.
Brief: Greenworks wants to start a new line of moss products. I was to design what these products might be.
I knew only what I could find on their website. Being a small company of only 4 people, I wanted to better understand who they were and why they did the things they did. I began my work with analysis of their values.
Their current target markets include Architecture firms and Office
settings. They have been considering expansion. Using the new
potential market of the hospital industry as inspiration for new
products becamepart of my goal.
Moodboard: Ideal Hospital Concepts
project focus
I selected what I felt were the most feasible ideas based on company feedback and used those concepts to develop a set of keywords/criteria that would help guide the rest of the product development.
safety
The end space shouldn’t feel cold or public/impersonal.
interaction
Users should be able to modify and affect their surroundings.
peace
The product/space should be inherently calming.
nook
The end product should allow users to create/feel like they have their own space.
As I was further developing my ideas with sketching, I also began testing different indoor watering methods for the moss that was intended to be used with these products. Moss has many health benefits, but some of those (such as purifying the air) only work when the moss is alive.
Attempt at using capillary action using water-absorbing, capillary fabric to water the moss vertically from the bottom up. FAILED
Attempt at watering the moss from the top facing down.SUCCESSFUL. NEEDS FURTHER TESTING AND REFINEMENT.
In conclusion, there is a possibility that live moss may be used in horizontal ceiling installation. Things that will need greater testing and refinement will be the regulation of water to prevent dripping, and timeliness so that the plant is watered consistently and automatically without the need for human intervention. Vertical gardens however, may need to be made using preserved (dead) moss.
Peace Lighting Shelves
PEACE lighting and shelving system is composed of one primary shape which allows the system to be modular. Lighting comes in two standard heights and shelving height may be customized for specific spaces.
The System
The bottom face of the piece stays the same . The border will be lined with moss for shelving, therefore needing an indent. The lighting system does not need this, and is therefore simpler to produce. The light sits 2cm in, and is covered with plastic for diffusion.
Testing
Testing tension, weight, and hanging methods, and what interaction with the prototype feels like.
Scenario
Hideaway Rotating Panels
HIDEAWAY is a wall divider system made from a single shape allowing for easy manufacturing. It doesn’t not go from floor to ceiling, as it should have the ability to be easily moved.
The System
Below is a breakdown of the layers in the panels. There is a flat aluminum skeleton that sits between the wood panels, with a perpendicular protrusion that is screwed into a lazy susan. The wood panels are indented to allow space for the moss.
