(R)evolving: Second Nature

This research aims to examine and explore the impact the Anthropocene (anthropo, for ‘person’ and cene, for ‘new’) has on nature, the planet’s climate, and ecosystem. Through a series of design future strategies such as transition design and speculative design, this project, entitled Second Nature, has undertaken focus group studies, workshops, and interviews to address the rising negative consequences of human’s impact on nature. By studying the results of these findings, Second Nature aims to design for the coexistence and cohabitation of humans with nature at this critical point in today’s deteriorating climate.

Transition design provides a holistic framework that acknowledges the interconnectedness of social, ecological, and technological systems, engaging stakeholders to transition towards a more sustainable future by considering the long-term implications of design decisions and engaging with stakeholders in the process. Speculative Design, on the other hand, explores potential future scenarios, questions assumptions, and challenges the status quo through design fiction to create narratives of future possibilities that can engage stakeholders in envisioning a better future and exploring potential solutions to complex problems.

The Hidden Structure

Much of our seemingly chaotic and complex world is structured and grounded and logic and science. Nature is amazing in its ability to adapt and evolve to find the most efficient solution, and it has been doing so for the past 3.8 billion years. A knowledge and understanding of the structures formed in nature could be applied to other disciplines such as design and engineering to bring about greater sustainability for our society – this is known as biomimicry. Yet, this knowledge is not widespread and the presentation of its information do not seem to appeal to those outside the field of biology. Hence, this project seeks to explore ways to better present the amazing structure and potential of nature through the fundamentals of visual communication and information design, to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and the audience.