October - December 2020

Building and testing a functioning cultivation prototype

GOAL

Build a batch of functional prototypes to be used for thorough in-house cultivation testing.

DELIVERABLES

Creating of a detailed design specification for the photobioreactor (PBR) in collaboration with specialist engineering partner Xanthella. .

Confirming a specified cultivation baseline detailing the effective output of the photobioreactor.

Development of the design through iterative building and testing of functioning works-like prototypes. Exploring how variation in technical spec affect daily biomass yield while considering UX. Explorations were focussed on vessel geometry, agitation methods (airflow bubbling or magnetic stirring) and enclosure design,

ROLE

Practical prototype building including; circuitry design, componentry sourcing, circuit soldering and rapid prototyping using digital fabrication tools.

Precise experiment design and implementation; setting up PBR’s, recording data, ensuring controlled testing environment and maintaining consistent fixed variables.

Experiment result analysis and report writing to communicate with other team members and company partners. Learning more about the theory behind how algal growth rate relates to PBR light ratio.

October - December 2020

Developing harvesting system

GOAL

Design the system for harvesting and consuming the fresh spirulina.

DELIVERABLES

Exploring harvesting system concepts focussing on how different harvesting techniques, such as manual or automatic pressure, can be used to increase efficiency.

Defining harvest mesh spec by testing how variation in mesh such as surface area, hole size and weave pattern affects harvesting efficiency.

Developing final design through an analysis of concepts against the design spec. Draining of the culture through a mesh using gravity was decided as the most elegant solution.

ROLE

Using existing product hacking and rapid prototyping tools to quickly mock-up prototypes for testing. Carrying out precise experiments to justify any decisions.

Experiment result analysis and report writing to communicate with other team members and company partners.

January - April 2021

Building and testing a minimum viable product

GOAL

Design, batch produce and test functioning units which we felt represented the product in the most elegant and low cost manner.

DELIVERABLES

Building a batch of user-friendly spirulina cultivation kits representing our ‘minimum viable product’ allowing for usability research studies.

Selling and fulfilling of 10 units to paying customers who were qualified via surveys.

Conducting evaluative research studies such as user interviews and focus groups to influence next phase of product development.

ROLE

Collaborative concept ideation sessions with Canopi team for solutions to product and branding designs

Working with technical engineer lead to devise the most elegant functional solution which can be produced in a cost effective manner. Use of digital fabrication tools and hacking existing products to quickly build and test prototypes before reaching final design

Batch producing 10 units using digital fabrication tools such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Responsible for the buying and sourcing all non-custom components suitable for the product.

April - November 2021

Launching the crowdfunder campaign

GOAL

Launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for further design development and manufacture, validate product offering and learn more about our user.

DELIVERABLES

Building high-fidelity working prototype which shows full product functionality ready for use in crowdfunding campaign video.

Building new cultivation prototypes for in-house testing with the focus to improve reliability and efficiency of cultivation system.

Defining a detailed design requirement specification to ensure any design developments were well justified.

Launching a succesful crowdfunding campaign raising over £100,000.

ROLE

Head of development of design through iterative prototyping and testing cycles. Using digital fabrication techniques and hacking of existing products to test out designs efficiently. Working with lead technical engineer to integrate learnings from functional in-house testing while continuously considering aesthetics and usability.

Fine model making and prototyping skills to design, build and finish a high fidelity prototype to be used in crowdfunding campaign video and investment pitching scenarios.

Input on branding aesthetics and marketing strategy for crowdfunding campaign through split testing and group ideation sessions ensuring the likelihood of reaching funding goal.