Group project- Installation in Slessor Gardens.
Life is hard, and many things make us anxious, but located in Dundee Slessor Gardens is a shining Pod of Positivi-tea. With its soft light working as a beacon, inviting anyone who needs it, to enjoy a calming cuppa with some good news. The routine of preparing and drinking a cup of tea has been shown to decrease anxiety. The pod has been designed to feel like a familiar yet interesting space, to achieve that almost everything has been made from paper. The mundane materiality and familiar textures emphasise the already soothing surroundings.
Throughout the project, we were in discussion with a local mental health charity 'Feeling Strong'. They were able to provide us with statistics and information about the people of Dundee and how we are affected by stress. Very kindly, the charity let us have some of their new self-help guides that we have integrated into our project. Working with this charity has really benefitted our project and really validated and brought attention to the needs and aims of the project.
Concept
Using Arduino as the technology behind this project, two main functions were carried out. Firstly, as a cup was taken from the dispenser, a microswitch would be activated, triggering the thermal printer to print out a 'positivi-tea receipt'. The information printed is sourced from the Instagram page @the_happy_broadcast and is printed with a QR code for the user to scan if they desire further reading on the subject matter. As the thermal printer is unable to print complex imagery, a concept design was made for the printer when technology allows to do so.
Working Video
This project was created in collaboration with Interior Designer Megan Hutchison and Product Designer Katie Wood and Product Designer Anne Valbak Christiansen.