Farm of the Future?
Project Ideation
We're back after a whirlwind workshop – the adrenaline rush of the event barely subsided! But the real work began after the dust settled. We had a mountain of data from the workshop participants who mapped out their dream farms. The success of the workshop was just the beginning; now came the thrilling challenge of harnessing those ideas into something tangible, something revolutionary.
◆◆◆
To understand participants’ vision, we dove deep into our notes, the maps and the audio recordings, uncovering the underlying motivations behind their design choices. The following insights were the foundation our next brainstorming session – this time focused on the final project.
I was worried we wouldn't have enough ideas, but the opposite happened! All of us came up with so many incredible ideas, making choosing just one nearly impossible. Returning to our trusted method – the voting system – we attempted to narrow down the options, yet the task remained daunting. It soon dawned upon us that these ideas were not just different entities but could also be fragments of a larger vision. Inadvertently and naturally, we found ourselves transitioning from product design to service design, envisioning a seamless and captivating farm visitor experience.
Drawing upon the core values cherished by our participants – joy and education – we conceptualised the "Farm of the Future." Central to this vision were elements of community, entertainment, and education, woven together to transform the farm into a beacon of innovation and engagement.
Here's a glimpse of the idea we envisioned:
Imagine arriving at the tube station, guided by animal paw prints on the floor or, for visually impaired visitors, voice assistance). Chatbot holograms in the form of animals answer questions about the farm and surrounding area, creating a fun and informative experience for passers-by as well.
Upon arrival, visitors can interact with a digital twin of the farm, providing a real-time view, even what's happening underneath the soil!
Learn about the animals through interactive holograms or digital screens. See them at different stages of life, fostering a deeper connection with farm life.
After the educational tour, put knowledge to the test in a hologram battle arena! Use voice commands to battle facts (think Pokémon battles) – a perfect way for kids and adults to solidify their learnings.
Visitors can choose a projection token displaying their favourite animal or plant, or a 3D key ring that evokes the farm through colours, sounds, textures, and even temperature sensations. A constant reminder of their farm visit.
As night falls, a bubble shed envelops the farm, protecting animals from the elements and city noise. This innovative structure ensures their comfort and wellbeing while maintaining the magical ambiance.
With the blueprint of our project taking shape, we geared up to pitch it to Richard Banks, the Principal Design Manager at Microsoft Research and later at an in-class design crit. In an upcoming post, I’ll share the outcome and feedback of our pitch – fingers crossed!