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Graphic and Interaction Designer
Newer Projects > Student 2007-2009
previous projectThe Peasley Society at UID
Design for Debate - 2008
As part of the Interactive Institute's Switch Project, we were asked to develop design interventions that made people reflect on the energy use in their communities. We worked in groups of three.
The course started with ethnographic observations which funneled into several group activities in Umeå and Stockholm. My group took the openness of the brief as license to create a fictional narrative around a character who designed several simple products that foster energy awareness in somewhat unorthodox ways.
The beginning of our presentation was this slideshow/movie telling Peasley's (a fictional character) story
Sputnik Plasticware is a set of eating utensils equipped with antennae that can be jammed and snapped off into electrical outlets.
This subversive action not only helps the diner enjoy a more calm meal, but leaves an imprint on the eating instrument. The mark of the broken antenna becomes a symbol of that action for perpetuity.
Sputnik Plasticware Set (one broken antenna on the knife means it has been put to use)
The Green Flash is the last incandescent light bulb a person will buy. It is the gateway bulb to fluorescent light bulbs.
A person ready to make the leap to energy efficient home lighting would buy a Green Flash as commitment to change. When the Green Flash burns out it emits a strong green flash through it's second filament. Once the Green Flash has burnt out, the owner is ready for the transition. The memory of that moment remains, and the next bulb bought will be fluorescent.
Green Flash bulb in package
Wind Pencils are regular pencils that have been placed on a windmill for a period of time (1, 3, or 9 years). Through that time they become weathered but remain functional.
They are priced depending on their age and help fund clean energy projects. Just as importantly, with their unmistakable appearance, they act as symbols of support for clean energy.
Wind Pencils of different ages and from different places
Beyond far-fetched products as intervention and the presentation of our ideas as intervention, we wanted to go a bit deeper.
For our final report, we decided to reveal The Peasley Society's development ideas and process. While the content is still fictional and naive, we aimed to highlight what we believe to be human truths by painting Peasley as an optimistic dreamer with luck on his side.
Group Partners
Matthew Brown,
Wang Chao
Movie Credits
Soundtrack: Matthew Brown;
video editing: Wang Chao;
script and narration: Roberto Christen;
story and filming: all three above.
The Peasley Process
(as a PDF)
