Make Space
Encouraging connection with nearby birds, plants, and greenspaces.
Role
Student at
Northeastern University
What I did
Product Design
Illustration
In an age where our virtual environments are increasingly immersive and demanding of our attention, I felt compelled to build something that deepens our orientation with the natural world. The result was an app called Make Space, an app I conceptualized & created at Northeastern University, designed to help users explore three fundamental aspects of nature: birds, plants, and greenspaces.
The app serves as an educational tool that allows users to engage with their local environment through an interactive map and filtering system. It encourages exploration, enriching one's experience of being outside without distracting from it. The name Make Space and its logo embody the concept of placemaking–cultivating a sense of belonging and connection to the natural world.
In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer writes, “I’m trying to imagine what it would be like going through life not knowing the names of the plants and animals around you...I think it would be a little scary and disorienting—like being lost in a foreign city where you can’t read the street signs." My hope with Make Space is that users feel empowered by the app's functionality, and deepen their connection with their local natural surroundings. As the user engages with the platform, the map populates, building a record of their sightings and visits. This hopefully builds a sense of belonging among the user and their neighborhood.
