YURI LIGHT
Municipality of Amsterdam | Speculative product
Working with the Municipality of Amsterdam, we designed an interactive xstreet lamp powered by solar and wind energy for a neighborhood at Amsterdam Noord. It detects the distance between people and responds with brightness levels. When more people approach, a series of light animations will be activated. When no one is present, it remains dim to conserve energy.
The design took the second place in the Light Challenge 2021 and exhibited at Floriade Expo 2022.
The design took the second place in the Light Challenge 2021 and exhibited at Floriade Expo 2022.
My Role
Concept Development
Experience Design
Creative Direction
Project Management
Team
Mohammad Afkhami
Michael Verdel
Paige Lucas-Dean
Tudor Cora
Concept Development
Experience Design
Creative Direction
Project Management
Team
Mohammad Afkhami
Michael Verdel
Paige Lucas-Dean
Tudor Cora
01
Process
Buikslotermeerplein is a neighbourhood in Amsterdam Noord. After talking with current residents, we found that people do not feel safe socialising outside at night.
How can we work with nature to power LEDs with renewable energy? We presented three ideas and pursued one due to city regulations after two months of research and ideation.
Experiment
Our initial idea was generating electricity from plants and soil. Then we found out there was not enough ampere for the current so we started to find new ways.
02
Concept
Inspried by nature
Keeping our goal in mind, we found that the structure of Japanese peace lily can be both beautiful and functional. After studying and dividing into sections, we created a design that satisfies our vision.
03
Test
We had the opportunity to test with over 200 visitors at the LUNA Light Festival in Leeuwarden and receive feedback. It was a huge help with our subsequent iterations.
When there is no one around, Yuri remains dim to conserve energy; when people approach, it brightens; and when they are very close (within 50cm), it dances to connect.
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04
Iterations
We built a new prototype (from 1.5m to 2.5m) in two weeks, with updates to the majority of the design. As part of our innovative lighting projects, we installed the light in Almere's Floriade Expo 2022. It will remain in place for six months. We are collecting responses from an online survey.
When there is no one around, Yuri remains dim to conserve energy; when one person approaches, it displays a single light animation; when two people approach, it adds more colour (four colours) and formsa new animation; and when three or more people approach from different directions, a rainbow appears in front of their eyes.
GROCERIES FROM THE FUTURE
Visual Methodologies | Interactive Experience
Our daily habits are filled with secret polluters. We shop as we wish, with a seemingly endless array of products on demand. All around us are small purchases with suprisingly large carbon emissions; like grapes imported from Chile.
We hope to bring these hidden emissions to light with Groceries from the Future. This shopping game is not about making money. In contrast, we charge the customer based on the amount of CO2 their product emits into the environment. With this, we hope to raise awareness about a product's impact on future generations.
We hope to bring these hidden emissions to light with Groceries from the Future. This shopping game is not about making money. In contrast, we charge the customer based on the amount of CO2 their product emits into the environment. With this, we hope to raise awareness about a product's impact on future generations.
My Role
Concept Development
Experience Design
Project Management
Team
Mohammad Afkhami
Michael Verdel
Paige Lucas-Dean
Concept Development
Experience Design
Project Management
Team
Mohammad Afkhami
Michael Verdel
Paige Lucas-Dean
01
Concept
Mapping experience with narrative
We began by conducting research on current retail trends, climate change efforts, serious games, sound design, and so on. We created a journey map that includes all types of interaction after crafting the narrative, and then iterated on this version.
Exploring technological possibilities
We wanted to create an interactive wall with consistent visuals and a smooth user experience. Experiments with electronic paints, touch sensors, a CNC machine, and projection mapping all contributed to the final result.
We wanted to create an interactive wall with consistent visuals and a smooth user experience. Experiments with electronic paints, touch sensors, a CNC machine, and projection mapping all contributed to the final result.
02
Prototype
Participants begin the game with 5.5 carbon credits and attempt to fill a shopping bag with six products while staying under the spending limit. Moving on to the next stage, they can learn more about the carbon content of the food they chose.
If they fail the game after receiving a receipt, they can choose to play again or finish. If a participant wins the game, they will receive a takeaway.
03
Iteration
With user testing, we quickly modified the interface design and details like amount of food on the receipt.
Because of their low carbon footprint, we chose macadamia nut seeds as a takeaway. Participants are seeding a better future by planting the shell later as fertiliser.
04
Experience
Here’s a demo of the interactive experience based on the story and visualization. As a team, we’d love to get feedbacks and search technical support to build this.