Function

Prohtest is a 100% biodegradable protestor's placard frame that was developed to achieve the aim of developing a sustainable and socially responsible solution to both encourage a proactive relationship between governments and the public and promote an entirely new model of public demonstration. While the physical principles of the product’s form is based on the simplicity and efficiency of a mono-block construct and a relatively inexpensive yet extraordinarily versatile material that is cellulose paper pulp, innovative features and a practical function help to complement many of the considerations sought out within this particular project. The primary function of the practical, non-aggressive and analogue concept enables an individual to carry with them and display a visual representation of the individual’s or groups’ opinion and expression. Essentially, the product provides the fixture to which an individual can create and display a sign in a demonstration.

Inspiration

Inspiration came from the need for designers to become more socially and creatively responsible and deliver solutions into areas that every seldom benefit from design. As a designer, I needed to step out of my creative comfort zone and challenge my ability to create and develop a solution for a problem I initially know little about. There are hundreds of obvious problems that designers can chose to design for, but it is the problems that a designer needs to at least attempt that are most important. I wanted to investigate a problem that is at the very heart of human mechanics and develop a concept that had the potential to encourage a modern approach to the way society display individual and collective opinion. Individuals want to express their opinion and concerns with activities that contribute to societies function, so while opinion continues to remain a prevalent fixture that pilots progress, it is the relationship between the public and governments that requires this product.

Development

5 months of in depth quantitative and qualitative research was used to generate a thorough understanding of the physical and psychological dynamics of public demonstration. Interviews, reviews, experiments and testing were evaluated and remained the foundation for all evidence and theory for the concept. The concept was developed to offer councils and governments the ability to gift organizations that demonstrate with an analogue tool to insight and promote support. By supplying a platform in the form of a customizable sign to organizations to then distribute to its members, agencies can actively participate with the support of demonstrator opinion. Governments are able to delivery the concept as a “symbolic gesture of support’, advocating the moods and opinions of protestors. Creating this concept would be the first step to connect divides in communication between demonstrators and governments on a tangible and psychological level.