AN INTERACTIVE TYPOGRAPHIC URBAN SCENE - 'HELP LOWER LIGHT POLLUTION'

Currently in development, this interactive display is designed to function in public spaces. The concept for this project is to graphically communicate and reinforce the message "please lower light pollution". A literal translation of this sentence has provided the leap from verbal to visual language and has created an 'image' that may be interpreted in two ways, either as the truncated word or the illusion of an urban skyline. The process by which we visually combine separate ideas that share one common form can deliver both recognition and surprise. The image is also accurate in terms of message when the 3-dimensional letterforms are mentally substituted for brightly illuminated buildings. These are a strong representation of light pollution due to the practice of wasteful upward floodlighting to illuminate them, but also wasted energy from interior lights that may be left on for no reason.

The display will provide user interactivity by means of a pull lever to the front of the housing, this will allow the viewer to vary the brightness of the city lights. This added functionality turns the display into an educational tool whereby the user can see the direct relationship between wasteful lighting and its impact on the nighttime environment. The overall design is intended to intellectually and visually stimulate passers by in order to encourage their active participation. By engaging the viewer in this way, the experience will be more memorable than a static display e.g. a poster. The message about the link between light pollution and wasted energy is made clear and the public are hopefully persuaded by the design to investigate further.

This animation is an artists impression of how the final display will look when complete, click to enlarge.

This installation will be exhibited at the D&AD New Blood Exhibition held at Earls Court, London in the Brompton Hall on Tuesday 24 June 10am – 9.30pm and on Wednesday 25 June 10am – 4pm.
D&AD New Blood Exhibition Website

If you cannot make it then, it will also feature at the New Designers exhibition in between the 10th and 13th July.
New Designers Exhibition Website