space food orb
Enhancing the Overview Effect with a Dining Experience
Description
The Space Food Orbs project reimagines the dining experience in space, transforming it into a multi-sensory journey that deepens a space tourists' connection to the universe while evoking familiar, comforting interactions from Earth. Each orb in the series is designed to amplify the Overview Effect—the profound shift in perspective that occurs when seeing Earth from space. Through the act of dining, tourists are encouraged to pause, reflect, and appreciate their place in the cosmos.
In the weightlessness of space, food isn’t just sustenance; it’s a moment to connect with familiar, grounding rituals. Each orb type draws inspiration from earthly gestures and interactions, making dining a mindful experience that bridges the distance between Earth and space. These orbs use organic, interactive opening mechanisms to encourage moments of discovery, playfulness, and ritual. They also address practical concerns of zero-gravity dining, providing controlled, elegant solutions to avoid food floating away.
Problem Statement
How might we design an interactive dining experience for space tourists so that it enhances their Overview Effect during their time in space?
process
Research
Desk research
Synthesis
Problem Statement
Scenario Building
Ideation
Brainstorming
Conceptualisation
Prototyping
Low-fidelity prototyping
Digital prototyping
overview effect
The Overview Effect, a profound cognitive shift experienced by astronauts viewing Earth from space, can be enhanced by engaging multiple senses. A zero-gravity dining experience exemplifies this, combining sight, taste, smell, and sound. Ethereal lighting, decor, and curated aromas and sounds evoke emotions, amplifying the awe of the visual experience. This multi-sensory approach deepens the connection to Earth, making the experience more immersive and memorable.
Sight
Smell
Touch
Taste
stages of overview effect
Initial Visual Encounter
First sight of Earth from space
Feeling of Awe and wonder
Witness the planet's fragility against the vastness of space
Cognitive Reflection
Engage in deep introspection about their place in the universe
Contemplate the interconnectedness of life on Earth
Recognizing its vulnerability
Emotional Response
Overwhelming emotions
Profound sense of connection to humanity
Lasting change in values, fostering a desire to protect the planet
Transformation of Identity
Shift in self-concept
Embrace a more holistic view of being "Earth citizens"
Commitment to environmental stewardship
STEPS TO BUILD SCENARIO
This being a speculative design project, these were the steps taken to build a scenario-
1. Choosing a Problem: Many individuals view space tourism as an opportunity to escape the challenges and stresses of life on Earth. With the rise of urbanization, climate change, and political tensions, space is increasingly seen as a serene and unblemished alternative.
2. Things from the Future & Identifying Trends
3. Reframe the Issue: Opportunities, consequences, differences in the future world and tensions
SCENARIO BUILDING
In 2035, affluent tourists travel to orbital stations in Lower Earth Orbit, enjoying luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views of Earth in weightlessness, experiencing the overview effect.
The stations house hydroponic farms growing vegetables, research plants, and experimental crops like protein and cotton, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Tourists indulge in futuristic dining, with meals created using 3D food printers and molecular gastronomy, while exploring zero-gravity cooking techniques like solar-powered and boiling methods.
Streamlined safety protocols ensure that no prior training is required, making space tourism an exclusive yet accessible adventure for the elite.
Generated via ChatGpt 4.0
ideation
SPACE FOOD ORBS
The Space Food Orbs are a series of multiple dining experiences designed to enhance the Overview Effect for space tourists. They elevate the space tourism experience by making eating in zero gravity not just functional but immersive and playful. Each orb is meticulously crafted to replicate natural, Earth-like interactions, creating a sense of familiarity while emphasizing the novelty of the zero-gravity environment.
SPACE FOOD ORBS
Twist & Extract
These orbs can be twisted to split open, mimicking the action of twisting open an orange or a bottle cap, revealing the meal inside.
SPACE FOOD ORBS
Bubble Pop
Some orbs can be "popped" like bubbles, releasing the food inside in a way that mimics popping soap bubbles—a playful and satisfying action
SPACE FOOD ORBS
Clam Pearl
The Clam Pearl Orb mimics the natural motion of a clam slowly opening to reveal its precious pearl. In this case, the "pearl" is the carefully prepared meal inside the orb.
SPACE FOOD ORBS
Hermit Shell
This orb slowly open, revealing the food inside as if the orb is emerging from its shell, much like how a hermit crab might. The slow reveal adds an element of anticipation.
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About
About
As a designer, I have worked on experience, service, and product design projects. I excel at understanding problems in-depth and effectively ideating to deliver enhanced experiences for the targeted audience.
My work is rooted in industrial design and tangible interactions, where I enjoy creating solutions that engage users on a physical and emotional level. I am also passionate about the healthcare sector, driven by a desire to design impactful, user-centered solutions that improve quality of life and accessibility.
For me, collaboration with team members is key, as it fosters creativity and ensures diverse perspectives are incorporated. I strive to create meaningful, innovative solutions that always keep the intent and the needs of the end user in mind.
Explore my portfolio on desktop for the best experience—tablet and mobile views are coming soon!
Achintya Chaudhary
About
About
As a designer, I have worked on experience, service, and product design projects. I excel at understanding problems in-depth and effectively ideating to deliver enhanced experiences for the targeted audience.
My work is rooted in industrial design and tangible interactions, where I enjoy creating solutions that engage users on a physical and emotional level. I am also passionate about the healthcare sector, driven by a desire to design impactful, user-centered solutions that improve quality of life and accessibility.
For me, collaboration with team members is key, as it fosters creativity and ensures diverse perspectives are incorporated. I strive to create meaningful, innovative solutions that always keep the intent and the needs of the end user in mind.