Active8 Planet.sep 2021 - may 2022
Background
Active8 Planet is an international research initiative between Halmstad University, Volvo Cars, and EU representatives, aimed at exploring how actors in the mobility sector can operate more sustainably. The Swedish team focused on issues related to mobility, ownership, and sustainability, using co-creation and critical design to explore and challenge established norms.
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As a core designer, I collaborated with three other designers, researchers, and Volvo representatives. The work was characterized by an explorative, research-driven approach, continuously shifting between empirical insights and theoretical perspectives to identify new sustainable business and mobility solutions.
Outcome
The project resulted in TELLUS – How U Feel, a card game that combines play, reflection, and sustainability awareness. In the game, a group of players responds to various scenarios and makes choices that affect a digital avatar in the form of a small planet. The avatar reacts to players’ decisions: destructive choices harm the planet, while sustainable choices improve its wellbeing.
The game’s purpose is to spark dialogue and raise awareness about sustainability challenges in the mobility sector. The scenarios were designed to reflect real dilemmas and decisions faced by companies in the industry.
Presentation image of the game “Tell us how you feel”
Me with the game
Design concept for the game cards
Game card and box
Interviews
The project began with an exploration of value creation within mobility companies to understand how sustainable practices can enhance value for stakeholders. Five in-depth interviews with Volvo Cars employees were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis, identifying key themes around value creation and sustainability. The results formed the basis for a future workshop, where we collaboratively explored future possibilities and alternative scenarios for sustainable mobility.
Future Workshop
The second step was a future workshop. In the workshop, participants worked with several future scenarios presenting different challenges within mobility. Through discussion and reflection, problem areas and conceptual solutions were identified, deepening the project’s understanding of barriers and opportunities for sustainable practices within the industry.
Team picture from Volvo
Future workshop at Volvo
Concept Generation
Based on the workshop insights, we developed the concept “Planet as the User” a shift in perspective where the design is guided not by the user’s needs, but by the wellbeing of the planet. The goal was for the design to contribute to positive environmental and climate outcomes.
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This led to the card game concept, which could be used in meetings and workshops to stimulate critical reflection and discussion around corporate decisions and their environmental impact.
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Design Sprints & Prototyping
The development of the game began with a design sprint, where multiple concepts were tested and the most promising elements were combined into a unified concept.
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A paper prototype was used to gather feedback, and the prototype was further developed with a digital avatar in Figma to visualize the planet’s reactions to players’ choices. At the same time, the scenarios and the game’s visual identity were developed, laying the foundation for the final version of TELLUS – How U Feel.
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Evaluation Workshops
The game was tested in two workshops with Volvo Cars employees, where participants provided feedback that informed several iterations and improvements. Following the workshops, the final game design was completed and sent for printing. Based on principles of critical design, the game is not intended to solve a problem but rather to serve as a discussion tool, encouraging reflection on sustainable actions and their consequences.
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Active8 Ljubljana 2022
The project was presented at the Active8 Planet conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where it was recognized for its innovative and creative approach to sustainability challenges. The project’s unique methodology and interactive format received particular praise from both Volvo Cars and Halmstad University representatives, highlighting its ability to provoke reflection and inspire new perspectives.
Active8 workroom
Workshop # 2 at Volvo
Pilot workshop
Team picture from Workshop #3 at Volvo