I am an interdisciplinary designer residing in Toronto, Canada.
I am interested in the application of design thinking principles to address real-world problems through digital solutions. I am experienced in graphic design, UX design and research, and design thinking. Through my mixed academic and professional backgrounds, I worked on topics related to cultural heritage, social innovation, conservation ecology, and global climate change.

Broadleaf Plantain & People
INSTALLATION, UX
LINK TO PAPEROCAD UNIVERSITY
TORONTO, CANADA
2024

An exploration of the complex relationship between humans and nature within urban settings, with a particular focus on Broadleaf Plantain. The exhibition comprised three main components: the Mobile Plant, the Poultice-Making Kit, and the Broadleaf Plantain Map. It offered a multifaceted journey into the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of this plant.

Throughout the space, visitors were encouraged to freely engage with artworks and plant specimens, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complex interplay between humans and the natural world in urban environments.

Mobile Plant

This prototype highlights the migratory nature of the Broadleaf Plantain, offering an interactive experience that traces its journey throughout North America, particularly in Canada, shedding light on the impact of humans on plant species movement and the plant’s connection to the European Colonial Migration.

The technological apparatus was inspired by the plant’s name "White Man’s Footprint". It was designed to follow humans within a designated space using a combination of 3D printing, computer vision and Arduino technology.

A camera module powered by computer vision algorithms was set up to detect humans. Upon detecting a human figure, the camera records its position through Mediapipe, an open-source framework developed by Google used to build pipelines to perform computer vision inference over arbitrary sensory data such as video or audio. Once a human position is recorded and processed through Mediapipe, it communicates the information to Arduino, a microcontroller, that activates a set of wheels attached to the prototype, allowing it to follow the individual's movements along a specified line that was drawn to limit the robot’s movement.

The decision to implement a line following mechanism was driven by the need to control the robot's movement within a defined area, particularly in an open exhibition space with considerable foot traffic. Considering the scale of the exhibition space and the complexity of managing the robot's navigation in real-time, the line following approach offered a practical and scalable solution. It leverages relatively simple sensors and algorithms to guide the robot along a predefined path, minimizing the need for complex obstacle avoidance or mapping systems.

As this device navigates urban landscapes, it symbolizes the historical journey of the Broadleaf Plantain alongside settlers, evoking a sense of intrigue. It aims to raise awareness about the affordances of such encounters and interactions, fostering an understanding of the plant's adaptive behavior and potential collaborations with humans.

Poultice-Making Kit

This prototype delves into the medicinal properties of the Broadleaf Plantain, inviting visitors to explore its traditional healing roles and prompting reflection on the commercialization of nature in contemporary society.
The kit consisted of essential tools such as a mortar, pestle, spatula, pruning scissors, and medical bandages. Each tool was 3D printed and selected to facilitate the creation of the poultice effectively.

The pestle's design is reminiscent of the seed capsules found on the plant's spikes, also known as the flower head. Its shape and texture emulate the organic structure of these capsules, providing both functionality and visual appeal to the tool. Similarly, the spatula exhibits a subtle fold, mirroring the thick leaf stems that converge at the base of the plant. Moreover, the cohesive design of the entire kit evokes the concept of a seed container. The tools nestle neatly inside the bowl, resembling the arrangement of seeds within a plantain's seed capsule. To enhance practicality and portability, the tools are encased in a fabric pouch. The pouch is thoughtfully crafted to resemble the plant's leaves extending from a low-lying circle at its center, ensuring that the tools remain securely in place during storage and transportation.

On a sunny Sunday towards the end of November, I decided to go for a walk around the city knowing that despite the cold temperatures I would still come across some Broadleaf Plantain. I noted the following:

As I wandered through different areas, the plant revealed itself in the middle of a pile of fallen autumn leaves. I eagerly gathered some leaves, examining each leaf meticulously. The veins, the textures - every detail held significance. I went for the greenest and the youngest leaves, I knew that their freshness would make them juicier and easier to chew, an essential criterion for crafting the healing poultice. Taking a moment to prepare, I squished and bent the leaves between my fingers, trying to make the job easier. As I put the leaves in my mouth, I wasn’t too surprised by their bitterness. Chewing on the leaves, I could feel every single particle blending with my saliva, sticking to the roof of my mouth and teeth. At that moment, a realization stuck - this was a collaborative dance, a symbiotic exchange where both the plant and I contributed to creating a healing poultice. In that intimate moment, I felt deeply connected to the plant I had been encountering on the streets.

Broadleaf Plantain Map

The map acts as a comprehensive visual representation that deepens viewers' understanding and fosters a more meaningful connection with the plant. The map is designed to be informative and engaging, offering a multi-faceted perspective on Broadleaf Plantain from various angles such as ecological, social, historical, economic, and medicinal. Each aspect is visually represented through carefully curated content, including text, images, videos, and illustrations. This approach ensures that the map appeals to a wide audience, from casual observers to those with a deeper interest in the plant.

I designed the installation space with an aim to push people to interact with the objects however they wanted starting from anywhere. The experience was meant to be an immersive and enlightening experience, inviting visitors to embark on a journey similar to mine of discovery through the interconnected realms of ecology, culture, and human interaction with nature. The exhibit showcased: the Mobile Plant, the Poultice-Making Kit, and the Broadleaf Plantain Map. Together, these components offer a multifaceted exploration of the Broadleaf Plantain and its significance.