Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae is an interactive exhibit highlighting the hidden communication between plants, mushrooms, and the underground forest ecosystem, known as the Mycorrhizal network.
Design Sector: Product Design
Typology: Exhibit Design
Scope/Role: Production
Location: Berkeley, California, United States
Year: 2022
Status: Completed
Team: Justin Trainor, Albert Hodo, Gracy Kureel, Helena Kent
Problem Statement
The connection between humanity and nature is breaking down in an increasingly digital world. To bridge this gap, we started with the following question:
"How might we use technology to create stronger connections between humans and nature?"
Initial Ideation & Prototyping
Based on our research and interviews, we ideated 100 possible solutions for the user’s unmet needs.
From our initial interviews and solution ideations, we created a low fidelity interactive prototype that we used to test our concept. We developed a prototype and observed people as they used the prototype during usability tests, in order to pilot our solution and gather feedback.
Learnings and Pivot
Final Concept - Mushroom Communication
Our interactive experience helps users understand the extraordinary intelligence of the Mycorrhizal Network, a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plants. There will be three mushrooms, each with a unique AR marker. The goal is to connect the Mycorrhizal Network by arranging the mushrooms and the two plants close enough to one another, such that ripples created by each mushroom and plant overlap to visualize mycorrhizal communication. Upon achieving this overlap, a sound of mushrooms communicating will be generated
Concept Render
Fabrication
The mushrooms were 3D printed using a Formlabs Form 3 printer and transparent resin.
We then painted the 3D printed mushrooms to finalize their effect.
Final Prototype
Final Showcase Installation
Neel Shah
Product Design Engineer in Berkeley
I am a product design engineer who uses empathy and engineering to design products that are intuitive, meaningful, and inclusive, and simple.