Research Question
What are the primary motivators for people to engage in eco-friendly behaviors?
What obstacles do people face when trying to adopt sustainable practices, and how can we design around these?
How do people in urban areas currently connect with nature, and what opportunities exist to strengthen this connection?
What types of environmental issues are people most aware of, and how does this awareness influence their actions?
How do people perceive the impact of their individual actions on the environment?
In what ways can digital or augmented experiences bring people closer to nature and encourage sustainable behaviors?
How does a sense of community influence people’s willingness to participate in environmental efforts?
What role does convenience play in people’s decisions to engage in eco-friendly behaviors?
How might we design educational experiences that appeal to people with varying levels of environmental awareness?
What kinds of nature-inspired activities would people be willing to integrate into their daily lives, and what barriers might prevent them?
Which experiences for reconnecting with nature would you be interested in? (Select all that apply)
A. Nature tour platform
Access a variety of eco-tourism locations that you can book.
B. Web AR visualization
Use a "time machine" slider to see before-and-after views of environmental changes through augmented reality.
C. Zero-waste membership
Join a program where you earn points for sustainable actions, which can be redeemed for eco-friendly products.
Prototype Storyboard
B. Web AR visualization
Use a "time machine" slider to see before-and-after views of environmental changes through augmented reality.
3 Votes
B. Web AR visualization
Use a "time machine" slider to see before-and-after views of environmental changes through augmented reality.
3 Votes
A. Nature tour platform ***
Access a variety of eco-tourism locations that you can book.
6 Votes
C. Zero-waste membership
Join a program where you earn points for sustainable actions, which can be redeemed for eco-friendly products.
3 Votes
Survey
General Interest in Environmental Issues
How interested are you in learning about environmental issues?
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Neutral
Not very interested
Not interested at allHow often do you seek information about environmental topics (e.g., climate change, conservation, pollution)?
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
NeverPersonal Connection to Nature
How connected do you feel to nature in your daily life?
Very connected
Somewhat connected
Neutral
Not very connected
Not connected at allHow often do you spend time outdoors (e.g., parks, nature trails, green spaces)?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rarely
NeverDo you feel that spending time in nature increases your awareness of environmental issues?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Environmental Responsibility and ActionsHow important is it to you to take personal responsibility for protecting the environment?
Very important
Somewhat important
Neutral
Not very important
Not important at allWhich of the following sustainable actions do you currently practice? (Select all that apply)
Recycling
Reducing plastic use
Conserving water and energy
Supporting eco-friendly products
Reducing waste
Volunteering for environmental causes
None of the aboveWhat are the main obstacles preventing you from taking sustainable actions? (Select all that apply)
Lack of time
Lack of knowledge on what actions to take
Financial constraints
Inconvenience
Lack of motivation
Limited access to sustainable options
Other (please specify)Perceived Environmental Issues
What do you see as the most pressing environmental issue today?
Climate change
Pollution (air, water, soil)
Deforestation
Loss of biodiversity
Waste management
Other (please specify)How significant do you feel the disconnection from nature is as a factor in environmental issues?
Very significant
Somewhat significant
Neutral
Not very significant
Not significant at allAttitudes Towards Sustainable Solutions
Do you believe individuals have a meaningful impact on solving environmental problems?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagreeWhat would motivate you to take more sustainable actions? (Select all that apply)
More information and education on environmental issues
Easier access to sustainable products or services
Financial incentives (e.g., discounts, rebates)
Community programs or initiatives
Seeing positive environmental changes in my area
Social influence (e.g., friends, family practicing sustainability)
Other (please specify)Open-Ended Questions
In your opinion, what’s the main barrier to addressing environmental issues?
As an individual, what actions do you think you could take to help solve environmental issues?
Do you think reconnecting people with nature would help increase awareness and action on environmental issues? Why or why not?
How might we?
HMW make sustainable practices feel more accessible and achievable for people with busy lives
HMW encourage people to feel a stronger personal responsibility toward protecting the environment?
HMW reconnect urban residents with nature, even in densely populated areas?
HMW create immersive nature experiences that educate and inspire action, without requiring people to travel far?
HMW make it easier for people to adopt eco-friendly behaviors in their daily routines?
HMW help people understand the impact of their actions on the environment?
HMW use storytelling and cultural connections to foster a deeper emotional connection with nature?
HMW overcome common obstacles (e.g., time, cost, lack of knowledge) that prevent people from engaging in sustainable actions?
HMW provide educational tools that engage communities in meaningful ways to protect local ecosystems?
HMW creates interactive spaces that allow people to explore and connect with nature digitally or in small, urban green spaces?
Interview Questions
Discovery
“Are you interested in environmental issues? If yes, tell me more about it. If not, could you explain more on that? “When do you feel that you connected with nature the most? Could you tell me about that experience?
"What sources of information (e.g., social media, friends, news, or personal experiences) have inspired you to learn more about sustainability?"
"What type of messages, images, or stories about the environment resonate most with you? Why do they stand out?"
"How do you feel when you come across content about sustainability? Does it motivate you to take action or learn more?"
Barriers and Obstacles
"What are the biggest obstacles you face when trying to adopt sustainable practices in your daily life?"
"How do time, cost, or access to resources affect your ability to be more sustainable?"
"What solutions or support would make sustainable actions easier for you?"
Case studies
3D Interactive Website
An Immersive Trailer for Opera North’s production
What is missing?
What Is Missing? is a multi-sited memorial created by Maya Lin to raise awareness through science-based artworks about the present sixth mass extinction of species, connect this loss of species to habitat degradation and loss, and emphasize that by protecting and restoring habitat, we can both reduce carbon emissions and protect species.
Uncommon Knowledge: Practices and Protocols for Environmental Information
The databases that landscape architects rely on to design future-oriented infrastructure—the SHP files and CSVs that describe a site’s climate, plants, and soils, often involve inadvertently appeal to extractive forms of knowledge production and storage. What if we were to design information infrastructures, both physical and digital, that are premised on collective ownership as opposed to existing systems that privatize, accumulate, and collect? This thesis responds to the contemporary environmental information economy at the site of Google’s first hyperscale data center in water stressed The Dalles, Oregon. On the ban
Rewild our planet
Augmented Reality, Web AR
An Immersive AR Nature Experience, a multi-sensory experience that repairs the connection between human beings and the natural world, based on the Netflix original documentary series Our Planet. This mobile ARCore application uses cutting edge immersive technologies to build compassion for our fragile world. Each realistic 3D biome emphasises the beauty of the natural world, but also the role humans play in reversing the loss of nature.
WWF Deutschland : Native Wildlife AR
WWF is accompanying wild animals that were once extinct in Germany on their way back. To support this mission of one of the largest international non-governmental organziations for wilderness preservation, we at Demodern developed a WebAR application to raise awareness about the endangered animals.
Wild Immersion Experiment Nature
Travel Through Nature, Solve Riddles and Encounter Animals in Augmented Reality. Engage in educational experiences with Augmented Reality (AR)! This interactive activity encourages collaboration as players work together to solve riddles and uncover virtual animals. It’s an innovative approach to deepening understanding and appreciation for wildlife.
