IM-PLANT
Overview
IM-PLANT was developed as a speculative design project for DEI613 - Digital Media Solution: Design Principles and Practice. IM-PLANT speculates a future where humanity's unchecked carbon emissions have lead to a runaway greenhouse effect that has transformed our planet into a hostile environment. Most animal and plant life has been wiped out, fresh surface water no longer exists and the population has been ravished by The Great Water War. In order for humanity to survive, we’ve had to resort to manipulating our genetics to create symbiotic human-plant hybrids.
Impact
Our design was integrated into an immersive showcase that invited people to engage with us and learn about the people of the Juniper Colony, their IM-PLANTs and the world of 2182. We set up stations where participants could engage with the design by presenting props of the IM-PLANTs and we had a large animated display of global temperature projections developed by NASA. We acted as facilitators for our exhibit, educating those who passed through and answering any questions they had. Through our design, we were able to raise awareness of the very real consequences climate change could have on our planet and our way of life if our carbon emissions don’t change. Additionally, we provided a radical perspective on the changing face of humanity as we enter the age of genetic manipulation. Our design critically engaged people in reflection over the ethics and morality of pollution, consumption, stewardship and genetics.