Enhancing awareness of biodiversity crisis in families that visit Naturalis

Abstract

Currently, biodiversity is under worldwide pressure. The organization Naturalis Biodiversity Centre wants to discover ways to address the biodiversity crisis in their museum.

For the design process, the double diamond method is applied. Through desk research and interviewing experts, the concept of biodiversity is explored. To have a clear focus early in the project and make the design process more manageable, it is chosen to focus on the decrease of insects. Insects are an undervalued group despite their importance, and they require attention as humankind depends on their existence.

Biodiversity decline is a phenomenon seen throughout history, but for the first time it is mostly caused by human activity. The causes of the decline can be at individual and systemic levels. Museums are good environments to address complex problems like this, because of the large audience and the ability to share current events and context. However, visitor’s attention span and development time can be limiting factors.

The project aims to work towards transformation, making the audience aware of the problem and encouraging them to reflect on their own role. These steps are the first two stages of a simplified plan that leads to transformation. To refine the installation further, the Com-b model of behavior change is used.

While the biodiversity crisis is addressed through the website, app, and educational programs of Naturalis, it is not addressed in the museum. Together with employees from the educational and exhibit departments, a message on biodiversity crisis is thought of, which is summarized in three pillars: connectedness, taking care of nature, and motivating the visitors.

To understand how families experience Naturalis and how they want to be approached regarding the biodiversity crisis, families visiting Naturalis are interviewed and observed. This has led to insights, resulting in the development of three personas representing certain types of families.

The design goal is: To design a playful transformative experience at Naturalis where family members can develop a deeper understanding of the biodiversity crisis and discover how they can contribute to biodiversity in their surroundings.

The exhibit journey consists of three steps: approach, interact, and take-away. The installation will be located near the entrance, where families are still open to trying something new and are motivated to learning and playing.

By consulting biologists and Naturalis employees, hosting brainstorm sessions with fellow design students, visiting museums for inspiration, and testing with families, the project has come towards a final concept. The concept allows families to discover which elements contribute to a bee-friendly environment and which do not. By manipulating physical wheels representing elements such as flowers, families can observe the effects of their choices on a screen, which also provides an explanation. The concept was understood and appealing to families, particularly the interactive part with the wheels and screen. However, the effect part should be redesigned in consultation with a bee specialist and children’s illustrator. Additionally, the game element needs reworking, to focus solely on bees to keep it understandable and engaging.