Nurture 2021
Project description
I designed this Micro Electronic Project as a speculative design. Imagines a dystopian world where birds have gone extinct and been replaced by machines.
Inspiration
Nurture is a speculative design piece that uses a tree hollow installation to explore the connection between the present world and future possibilities. It’s not just a prediction but a reflection of the choices we make today and their potential consequences. The work invites viewers to think about how we use technology and how it distances us from nature. It questions whether technological advancements truly improve our lives or if they simply replace real connections with an illusion.
Process
For the interactive element, I used Arduino to control an LED panel to display the tree's face and eyes, and utilized a microphone module to capture sound, with a buzzer simulating bird calls. Initially, the buzzer could only produce a fixed frequency, making it impossible to mimic the bird calls. After adjustments and online research, I successfully created the desired sound effects. When sound is detected, the LED panel adjusts its brightness based on the volume. After consulting with a senior, I was able to resolve the microphone module's sensitivity instability.
Signal flow from left to right: a person's voice reaches a microphone sensor, which sends a sound signal to Nurture. The installation sends volume and frequency signals to an LED board, and uses a buzzer to imitate bird chirping. The diagram connects the participant's voice to both the installation's light and sound responses.
To create a scene where plants can no longer survive in the future, I shaped the tree using artificial leaves and withered branches, intentionally breaking harmony to evoke an unsettling atmosphere. I rolled a plastic sheet into a tube and used wire to secure the branches, then glued the artificial leaves and trimmed branches onto the frame.
