WHY WE SEE THINGS

Updated: Apr 20, 2019

Can immersive technology change people's perception towards Climate Change?

As a designer, we all the ability and opportunity towards working on issues that concern us and things that we are passionate about.

Introduction

Climate change and global warming is a global issue which is very important to me as I am a nature lover and I love animals & everyone is being affected by the climate change, but the nature & the environment is most affected and it goes most neglected.

I started by narrowing down to an issue that directly concerns us as a contributing factor towards global warming which led me towards understanding about how the emission of CO2 has changed over the decades and its impact on marine life & the nature. It made me wonder about my conception of thoughts against the idea of confining animals to zoos and the fishes to aquariums, but then I visited the Georgia aquarium in the spring break and couldn’t stop wondering if an aquarium is a safer environment for all these wonderful marine creatures over the vast limits of the oceans & seas!!!

Guiding principles

Show, don’t tell! Make the invisible visible and Think narratively!

Initial Questions/Opinions

- What medium is best for me to portray my concerns regarding the impacts of climate change that effectively reach people?

- Which aspect of the cause and effect of climate change should I focus on to be able to create a difference?

Midterm Presentation

- My proposal was to focus on carbon footprints and do a project which highlights it’s effects on the nature and marine life.

- Feedback:

· Narrow down the scope of the project.

· Why would this project be more impactful than the other existing ones?

· Do you think an individual’s effort matter as much as that of an organization/government?

· ‘Focus on one misperception or issue within climate change that sparks differences in opinion.’

Thoughts Post feedback:

Took a step back to re-think the following-

- How do people perceive things?

- I started off with trying to understand people’s mentality towards this issue. Through the use of immersive technology, I want to understand what people think of climate change. Are they aware that it’s still a prevalent global issue?

- Why do some say that ‘climate change’ is not a real issue?

I believe in the power of visuals and VR/AR being an immersive technology, I feel its impact over an audience is more compared to other mediums. I wonder how impactful would a VR or an AR experience be in effectively putting through forth my message and concern.

Primary read

Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction & Opportunity- By Mike Hulme.

Goal

To understand if immersive technology can be the key to instilling a sense of responsibility in people towards climate change?

My primary goal is to inculcate a sense of awareness amongst young teens about the slow & gradual adverse effects of climate change.

- What do teens think of climate change?

- Do they believe that this global issue is real?

- Do they care about the nature & the marine life?

Audience

Teenagers (10-15yrs.)

- Caring for the nature and instilling habits that do not add to global warming would be more effective and lasting if taught from a young age.

Which aspect of Climate Change?

Effect of Climate change on:

Northern Lights

· Are teens aware of auroras and do they feel they are magical? - SURVEY
· How would they feel if they fade away and become colorless? - FOCUS

Marine life

· Do teens love the magical organisms that live in the depths of the oceans and how much do they care about them? - SURVEY
· Would they be bothered if these creatures disappeared from our lives within a few decades? - FOCUS