Assisted in designing, curating, building, and installing an engaging outdoor experience in Squamish, BC - incorporating sensor-driven interactivity, tactile engagement, and educational elements to educate viewers on the impact of biodiversity loss.
CLIENT: THE WILDER
My Role
Service Design, Exhibition Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, Mobile App Design, Usability Testing, Communication & Stakeholder Updates, Grant Application, Timeline & Resource Planning, Documentation Management, Content Curation and Coordination, Compliance with City Guidelines, Mobile Development Supervision, Testing & Issue Resolution.
The Team
Ember Johnstone - Interaction Designer & Project Manager - Kagiso Pupp Sound Designer & Copywriter / Melanie Lazelle - Founder, Project Lead
About Eulogy
Eulogy: A Memorial for Biodiversity was a unique project aimed at raising awareness about climate change and biodiversity loss through an interactive installation. While I assisted with the exhibit design, curation, and building - my role also encompassed designing and optimizing the user journey to ensure that visitors had a memorable and impactful interaction with the installation.
Challenge
The primary challenge was to create a user-centric, emotionally engaging experience that effectively conveyed the message of biodiversity loss. To inspire the viewer and remain aligned with the brand guidelines of The Wilder, as many of the materials in the exhibition as possible needed to be recycled, the carbon footprint needed to be low, and tactical engagement was crucial. Since it would be installed in the middle of Downtown Squamish, it also needed to comply with the city guidelines and the regulations set by the municipality.
Design Exploration
Initial Sketches
These sketches served as the canvas for exploring different forms and concepts. Taking images of outdoor spaces and drawing directly on top of them allowed me to brainstorm ways that Stan Clarke Park could be transformed into an interactive landscape. Some early concepts included a hanging net, a model graveyard, an LED candlelight vigil, and archways that could lead participants through an educational walk spread through the park.
Site Visits
The next phase involved a site visit to Stan Clarke Park where we took measurements, photos of the area, and sketched out a map to scale that we would refer to during the planning phase and in any correspondence with the city, engineers, and contractors involved in bringing the exhibition to life.
Something that became clear on our visit was that Stan Clarke Park acts as an arterial greenway in Squamish, especially on weekends when the town hosts many tourists and day trippers from surrounding areas.
Site Visits
The installation was thoughtfully crafted to align with visitors' objectives of seamlessly moving through the park, rather than deterring them from their path. We began to consider the path as a canvas for the installation, incorporating interactive tangible elements that could invite a momentary pause rather than a detour. This approach offered a dynamic experience without disrupting the park's natural flow.
This deliberate design allowed Stan Clarke Park to support the exhibition of other artists and muralists who shared the space, fostering a collaborative atmosphere of artistic expression. By seamlessly integrating into the park's landscape and supporting the visitor's desire for a clear and direct path through the town, 'Eulogy' not only conveyed its message effectively but also enriched the overall park experience without restricting anyone’s movement through it.
Interaction Design
Interactive Components
Collaborating with the other members of the design team, we formulated ways to build interactivity into the low-tech installation. Wanting to engage the viewer and increase immersion for those who would walk through the archway, we decided to add in motion sensors so that a soundtrack could begin playing with notable quotes, background music, and other elements. To increase sustainability, we also set up the lights to work off of light and motion sensors so that they were only on at night, and when someone was walking through it.
Wayfinding & Info Boards
Call to Action
The key component of this installation was to call the viewer towards actions they could take to preserve biodiversity. Through a comprehensive research process, I compiled action items that would be feasible by the average Squamish resident. To construct the information boards where each call to action would be placed, I brought in the artist prints selected for this installation by the founder. From there, I explored ways to structured the content and informational displays to provide a clear and informative user journey, making it easy for visitors to understand the project's message and bring supportive changes into their lifestyles.
In Action
Digital Illustrations
To enhance the narrative of Eulogy, The Wilder comissioned a series of digital illustrations to be used in wayfinding, marketing, and social media campaigns leading up to the installation. Take a closer look by following the button below.
