Present
Soil Habitability
data-enabled sensemaking for rethinking soil health
[design research] [data-driven design] [MtHD]
September 2024 - present
In the following, elements corresponding to the expertise areas are marked with their abbreviations: TR (Technology and Realization), CA (Creativity and Aesthetics), MDC (Math, Data, and Computing), US (User and Society), BE (Business and Entrepreneurship), and DRP (Design and Research Process).
In my FMP, I have addressed an emerging topic in HCI and more than human design (MtHD): integrating data-enabled technology in designing (with) living systems [4 , 8, 10]. Ecological systems, like soil, are characterised by intricate and interdependent relationships between biotic and abiotic components [1], exhibiting gradual changes consisting of numerous interacting components at various scales [5]. The dominance of scientific framings, and by extension scientific institutions as the primary speaker, means the other ways of sensemaking of soils are under-explored. Digital and data driven technologies can play an important role in exploring alternative ways of sensemaking that prioritize soil habitants. I aim to reconfigure data as a medium for representing nonhuman agency.
As a designer, I strive to design with empathy, responsibility, and deep ecological awareness. Today, this sensitivity feels more urgent than ever, as industrial systems continue to prioritize profit over planetary wellbeing (a captivating critique by [2]). By using data-enabled and speculative methodologies, I aim to disrupt the narrative that views soil as a resource and invite reflection on our shared responsibility towards symbiotic futures. While such a paradigm shift is urgent in society [3], it seems like an immense challenge to tackle. I hope my research adds to this ongoing discussion
and advances the topic (US).
and advances the topic (US).
My research-through-design process is rooted in generative methodologies which prioritizes unmediated material engagement (CA, TR), speculative design frameworks to deconstruct narratives (CA), and an autoethnographic approach (DRP) to ground my work in personal reflections and lived experiences [6, 7, 9] (This was explored throughout the masters’ program, especially in M1.2, DCM170 Researching the Future Everyday, and DBM200 Unexpected Material Engagement). I like to adopt a mixed-methods approach, blending quantitative and qualitative insights to understand living systems. In this project, I created a data dashboard using plotly and Dash in Python to visualize and analyze all quantitative data. The balance between intuition and analysis enable me to navigate uncertainty and develop context-sensitive design research processes that are responsive to human and nonhuman needs (DRP). I have used a thematic analysis approach (explored in the track course DDM140 Research Methods) to analyze data and synthesize my findings.
Links to PI&V
Working in the in-between space of understanding larger ecological systems and addressing granularities is an essential part of my professional identity. Navigating the complexity of soil ecosystems and the subtilty of earthworm behaviour required balancing broad environmental critiques with hand-on experimentation (US, CA, TR). This messy, intangible space allows me to explore how small, overlooked interactions, can have systems level impact (DRP). Using computational tools as a way to initiate interspecies communication is a crucial aspect of my vision as a designer (refer to Internship and DBM190 Designing with/for digital twins). By creating a network of environmental sensors with a custom made pressure detection mat, raw data is collected and transformed into narratives which can be acted upon (MDC and TR). Further, using technology as a mediator allowed for bridging the gap between human perception and cognition and non-human experiences. This was achieved in the form of speculative messages from the worms (TR, MDC, CA). Further, the design of all the prototypes took the earthworms need into account (US and CA) and were engineered to function (TR). This fusion of technology with material engagement allows me to explore how computational systems can mediate interactions between species, making the invisible relationships within soil ecosystems both visible and emotionally resonant.
Development as a Professional
Throughout my master’s program, my work (refer past) has significantly contributed to both my personal growth as a researcher and as a professional in the industry. Working with generative (research) methodologies, speculative frameworks, and mixed-methods approaches has honed my ability to synthesize complex data and make informed, context-sensitive decisions. This skill is directly transferable to any design or research role, where balancing both qualitative insights and quantitative analysis is critical. My hands-on experience with emergent technologies and materials has strengthened my technical problem-solving skills and innovative thinking, making me proficient in designing and prototyping functional systems. Additionally, my ability to navigate messy, ambiguous spaces and translate abstract ecological concepts into tangible, MtH narratives is an invaluable asset for creating designs that are both innovative and empathetic. Having collaborated with experts across fields, I have also enhanced my interdisciplinary approach and communication skills. This experience has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively across diverse teams, ensuring I can translate technical jargon into accessible ideas. My work with Python for data analysis and coding environmental sensors has expanded my technical skillset, enabling me to develop and deploy interactive prototypes with real-time data collection and visualization. These coding skills, combined with my proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, make me capable of tackling a wide range of design challenges, from system-level analysis to hands-on prototype development. See Soil Habitability.
Competency development
[1] Madhur Anand, Andrew Gonzalez, Frédéric Guichard, Jurek Kolasa, and Lael Parrott. 2010. Ecological systems as complex systems: challenges for an emerging science. Diversity 2, 3 (2010), 395–410.
[2] Adrienne Buller. 2022. The value of a whale: On the illusions of green capitalism. Manchester University Press.
[3] Arturo Escobar. 2018. Designs for the pluriverse: Radical interdependence, autonomy, and the making of worlds. Duke University Press.
[4] Elisa Giaccardi, Dave Murray-Rust, Johan Redström, and Baptiste Caramiaux. 2024. Prototyping with Uncertainties: Data, Algorithms, and Research through Design. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction 31, 6 (2024), 1–21.
[5] Elvin Karana, Davine Blauwhoff, Erik-Jan Hultink, and Serena Camere. 2018. When the material grows: A case study on designing (with) mycelium-based materials. International Journal of Design 12, 2 (2018).
[6] Szu-Yu Liu. 2019. Designing with, through, and for Human-Nature Interaction. In Companion Publication of the 2019 on Designing Interactive Systems Conference 2019 Companion. 101–104.
[7] AM Mackey, RL Wakkary, SAG Wensveen, and O Tomico Plasencia. 2017. “Can I wear this?”: blending clothing and digital expression by wearing dynamic fabric. International Journal of Design 11, 3 (2017), 51–65.
[8] William K Michener. 2015. Ecological data sharing. Ecological informatics 29 (2015), 33–44.
[9] Doenja Oogjes and Ron Wakkary. 2022. Weaving Stories: Toward Repertoires for Designing Things. In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 98, 21 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3501901
[10] Ðan Vy Vu, Mathias Funk, Yi-Ching Huang, and Bahareh Barati. 2023. Addressing Uncertainty in Biodesign through Digital Twins: A Case of Biofabrication with Mycelium. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (2023).
[2] Adrienne Buller. 2022. The value of a whale: On the illusions of green capitalism. Manchester University Press.
[3] Arturo Escobar. 2018. Designs for the pluriverse: Radical interdependence, autonomy, and the making of worlds. Duke University Press.
[4] Elisa Giaccardi, Dave Murray-Rust, Johan Redström, and Baptiste Caramiaux. 2024. Prototyping with Uncertainties: Data, Algorithms, and Research through Design. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction 31, 6 (2024), 1–21.
[5] Elvin Karana, Davine Blauwhoff, Erik-Jan Hultink, and Serena Camere. 2018. When the material grows: A case study on designing (with) mycelium-based materials. International Journal of Design 12, 2 (2018).
[6] Szu-Yu Liu. 2019. Designing with, through, and for Human-Nature Interaction. In Companion Publication of the 2019 on Designing Interactive Systems Conference 2019 Companion. 101–104.
[7] AM Mackey, RL Wakkary, SAG Wensveen, and O Tomico Plasencia. 2017. “Can I wear this?”: blending clothing and digital expression by wearing dynamic fabric. International Journal of Design 11, 3 (2017), 51–65.
[8] William K Michener. 2015. Ecological data sharing. Ecological informatics 29 (2015), 33–44.
[9] Doenja Oogjes and Ron Wakkary. 2022. Weaving Stories: Toward Repertoires for Designing Things. In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 98, 21 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3501901
[10] Ðan Vy Vu, Mathias Funk, Yi-Ching Huang, and Bahareh Barati. 2023. Addressing Uncertainty in Biodesign through Digital Twins: A Case of Biofabrication with Mycelium. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (2023).
