MFA THESIS

The future of consumer electronics is enclosed in mycelium

Summary

Can mycelium be used in

consumer electronics? This question has been addressed in the following work through various research methods.

The benefits of mycelium in reducing heat discomfort, enhancing user confidence, and promoting environmental compatibility have been highlighted.

This contribution to the field of industrial design undertaking the theme of sustainable electronics advances the knowledge of using material-first methods intertwined with user experience research and user experience design.

Concept

The ubiquity of cameras, housed in plastic or metal, has made them essential in everyday life. While advancements in material manufacturing have enabled features like image stabilization, the widespread use of plastics contributes to environmental degradation. Cameras, especially DSLRs, are difficult to recycle, leading to plastic and electronic waste and a heavy carbon footprint. This paper explores mycelium as a sustainable alternative to plastics in camera design, offering durability and functionality. By reducing plastic dependency, this research promotes a more sustainable approach to consumer electronics and invites further exploration of mycelium’s broader applications.

Timeline

Sep 2023 - December 2023

Jan 2024 - March 2024

March 2024 - May 2024

Discovery and secondary research phase which opened doors for understanding problem spaces as well as implicit structures which led to abductive reasoning for a material-based solution

Understanding material based solutions better through various primary research methodologies

Designing and Prototyping in an iterative fashion using a new systems thinking model

Target User / Persona

The Re-Inventors

This groupʼs interests focus on the environment, and they strive to have the least impact and the most regenerative effect on the planet. This means the products they buy need to be made of recycled, circular or bio-based ingredients. As these material options become available at a mass scale, The Re-Inventors will look for more innovative and refined eco-friendly products.

Honesty

Mindfulness

Purpose

Truth

Confidence

Change

Behaviours Studied Across Brands

Several research directions were set up after analyzing the survey results, which can be divided into five sections. These sections were used to form the discussion guide for in-depth interviews, which are in the following sections.

1: Understanding Needs and Preferences

2: Assessing Current Solutions

3: Creativity and Features

4: Usability and Design

5: Materials experience

Research.

Filming on set

Overheating

Technical Analysis

Material-Driven Design

Direction: Create product body parts made from heat and impact resistant sustainable material that ages over time like fine leather. (inspiration below)

Characteristic

Sustainable material innovations in electronic product design are crucial for addressing the electronics industry's environmental challenges. The adoption of biodegradable materials, the integration of recycled and upcycled materials, the advancement of green electronics, and the innovative use of mycelium-based materials can contribute positively to balancing the ecological footprint of electronic devices.

This research and design development will continue to explore and refine this material technology, ensuring that sustainability becomes an integral part of electronic product design. Adding mycelium-based materials to the portfolio of a consumer brand’s sustainable options highlights the ongoing innovations aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of electronic products. Here, we look at mycelium's role in green electronics to offer new possibilities for eco-friendly design and manufacturing.

Granularity

Assembly

Physical Joinery

Moulding

Acceptance Testing

Incorporating Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model into the primary research methodology provided a structured and empirically grounded approach to assess the proof of concept viability, user acceptance, and potential for influencing the future of sustainable electronics. This study explores technical feasibility and addresses user perception and adoption, enhancing the project's overall value and relevance.

Perceived usefulness:

● It does not require an additional case

● Lightweight enough to carry for extended periods.

● It does not get hot in the sun

● Not afraid to drop it