Figure 1: Townsend O. 2018, Hong Kong 2050, digitally manipulated collage

1d. Documentation of your prototype in use.

“Design makes futures. What designers make becomes the futures we inhabit.”
(Tonkinwise, C. 2015)

In designing for the Hong Kong 2050 that has been illustrated in figure 1, I have attempted to address the air pollution issues in correlation to people’s health and wellbeing. As expressed in our future scenario, Hong Kong 2050 is a heavily overpopulated, over polluted city, with major health concerns relating to the air quality surrounding those who chose to live in the city. I have designed the smart mask which acts as both a filtration mask, defending the wearer from air pollutants, as well an outdoor air pollutant measurement device, informing the wearer of the outside air quality to determine whether it is necessary for wear.

Figure 2: Townsend O. 2018, Digital technical illustration of the smart mask, digital illustration

Figure 3: Townsend O. 2018, Brainstorming, photograph

It basically works by directing air into a cylindrical chamber within the mask, where the level of air pollutants are detected and the information is recorded on a nano chip stitched in. The nano chip, records this data, processes it with embedded algorithm, based on a percentage of pollutants and thus sends a notification to the owners linked device, alerting them of whether they should/should not be wearing this mask. Through wirelessly linking both phone and mask the wearer can also see the analysis of the air around them. If the owner cannot afford a mobile device, alternately a light on the mask will shine either green or red for wear/don’t wear respectively. However with this feature activated they won’t have the benefits of the additional information.

It was designed with the fact in mind that the air percentages do change often throughout the days and weeks, and to constantly wear a mask is often unnecessary and quite frankly annoying for the human body. So having that technology that tells you whether you can remove it or not would assist in the future, and enhance the love and care we have for our bodies. Also within a society of thick air pollution, not worrying about breathing in toxins means you have more time to worry about the other things in life.

Figure 4: Townsend O. 2018, PROTOTYPE, combination polyester fabric, metal, gold leaf filtration chamber and wire hand crafted smart mask prototype.

The smart masks are simply worn around the head covering both nose and mouth. Breathing is then acted as normally. The smart mask is a government issued product, manufactured in the city itself, and the reasoning behind this is to allow all citizens to have this subsidy in an effort to maintain health within the city of Hong Kong, increasing life expectancy and reducing illness.

Hong Kong 2040 is indeed a city thriving upon implementing some of these new technologies they are developing into the everyday lives of its citizens. Whilst in this city built around technology, bad air quality, intense city skyscrapers, this design implements some love and questions the love within this world. It was without love for the environment that caused this form of dystopic future, but it was love for technology that created it. It was without love that the pollution levels skyrocketed, but with love this mask has been developed an gifted to each citizen without payment to keep them safe from its dangers. The smart mask is fundamentally design around love and encourages it so forth.

Alike the article, Designing the Future,

“Naturally, not every design is going to drive a revolution, but designers thrive on knowing they have made a contribution – however big or small – to progress” (2016)

The smart mask, is a small assistance that will make all the more difference for the lives of those in the city of Hong Kong 2050. Imagine walking down the street and you mask altering you to for wear for vice versa; when you wear the smart mask you know you are caring for your body and ultimately loving yourself.

 

Olivia Townsend 12908671

 

References

Tonkinwise, C. 2015, ‘Just Design being dogmatic about defining speculative critical design future fiction’, Medium https://medium.com/@camerontw/just-design-b1f97cb3996

Milton, A. & Rodgers, P. 2013, Research methods for product design, Laurence king publishing, London Making (chapter 5)

Week 5 lecture slides

Week 10 lecture slides

Week 8 Tutorial brainstorming notes: