Speculative Design + Design Fiction + BioMaterials + Physical Interaction + Solarpunk
Frö
Reimagining Human-Driven Seed Dispersal Systems in a Solarpunk Future
DURATION:
Feb - April 2023, 8 weeks
SKILLS:
Making Biomaterials, Sewing, Design Fictions, Bodystorming, Moodboarding
TEAM:
With Axel Sjöström
MY ROLE: Planning, design, and execution of all steps of the process
PRESENTED in the International Joint Student Research Symposium 2023
at BINUS, Jakarta, Indonesia
We live in a society with declining biodiversity, in part because of human impact on plant seed dispersal. In the future, we theorise that most seed-dispersing species have gone extinct, forcing humans to take that role. In this project of physical interaction design, we explore ways that this dispersal can take place, what technological requirements are needed, and what implications it has for human culture. The result is Frö, a seed dispersal pod using hair-based electronics. Its context of use is a fiction in which humans live in groups having the same seed type as a cultural expression. Its context of use is a fiction in which humans live in groups having the same seed type as a cultural expression.
This project is supported with a set of three design fiction pieces to contextualise the piece for you.




DESIGN AND RESEARCH TASK: Reimagining Cyborgs in a Solarpunk World
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Left: Cyberpunk art from Wallpaper Flare, Middle: AI generated art o Lexica by anonymous artist with the prompt, “Solarpunk kowloon walled forest city built by frank lloyd wright, still from studio ghibli anime movie, cyberpunk tree house, digital art, artgerm, trending on artstation”. Right: An artist’s rendition of a possible solarpunk future. Studio Ghibli.
WHAT ARE CYBORGS? [1]
The traditional definition: “a being composed of both organic and artificial systems, between which there is feedback-control, with the artificial systems closely mimicking the behavior of organic systems.”
Broad: “any individual with artificial parts”
Broader: “any individual who relies extensively on technological devices and artifacts to function”
WHAT IS SOLARPUNK?
Genre of speculative fiction with its own distinguished aesthetic, focusing mainly on renewable energy, living in harmony with nature, and the better future envisioned through both.
Process:
The project was brought through a design space exploring lo-fi phase, a material and technology exploring mid-fi stage and technology combining and realisation hi-fi stage.
Our World
Our version of this future is one that is born out of the strife and struggle of a Cyberpunk past. Traditionally, the cyberpunk genre is characterised by scientific and technological breakthroughs punctuated with undercurrents of decay and socio-economic strife. It is also the genre where cyborgs or cyborg-like human enhancements are abundant. We envision a brighter solar punk future rising from the chaos of a fallen cyberpunk world.
DESIGN
Our initial explorations began with the use of flexible materials such as fabric, gauze, and clay. These materials were reinforced with cardboard and tape. As our concept developed, we decided to use biomaterials made from Agar Agar , glycerin and water.
These materials were combined with other organic materials and food colour to create thin sheets. These were folded and sewn with conductive copper thread.
TECH
Wiring was also connected to these pods. Which are woven into the hair. Two pods touching acts like a switch to initiate seed dispersal.
This is an unconscious interaction.
Seed dispersal is done by another pod. This pod is a bio-material packet whose opening and closing is controlled by a 3d printed flap controlled by an electromagnet. When two hair pods touch, the flap opens ever so slightly to release seeds.



