Our research process spanned deep material research, user research, and user testing. We aimed to create material innovations that met the needs of local makers and educators in the Providence, Rhode Island community.
SSIF Research Process
We explored multiple potential biomaterials before deciding to pursue mycelium based on its ability to incorporate a variety of organic materials as feedstocks. We experimented with different feedstocks and post-processing techniques, and measured physical material qualities over the course of our research.
Material Research
Arvind collects algae for biomaterials experiments at RISD Beach.
Collecting algae samples at RISD Beach.
Testing finishes on a myco-block.
Testing the strength of mycelium materials.
Drying myco-sheets in the oven.
Studying the growth patterns and behaviors of mycelium.
Growing mycelium with different feedstocks.
We conducted interviews with seven local makers, visited three local studios, did a classroom visit, and visited a landfill to understand our users needs and challenges and find opportunities.
Through this work, we discovered the need to bring more biomaterials resources and opportunities into educational spaces, in order to facilitate wider adoption among makers.
User Research
Arvind presents material samples to Haley MacKeil’s class.
Exploring biomaterials and paper making in Haley MacKeil's studio.
Learning about classroom approaches to material experimentation and testing finishes on a myco-block during a class visit.
We gained classroom experience with traditional prototyping materials and techniques.
To understand how our materials were received by students, we led a hands-on mycelium workshop for Calgary’s Wintersession class, Mold(ing), shared materials and surveyed students about their impressions of the materials during a RISD Grad Exchange, and tested the prototyping potential of materials during a making workshop with pre-grown mycelium materials.
User Testing
Graduate students fill out a survey about their perceptions and feelings of mycelium prototyping materials.
Students break up mycelium material in preparation to make mycelium casts during a workshop.
Students work with mycelium to create casts during a workshop.
Students exploring pre-made mycelium materials during a workshop.
Students choosing mycelium materials for prototyping during a workshop.
Arvind presenting mycelium research during a RISD Grad Exchange event.
In order to share our research and make our findings accessible to others, we designed and created this website. We hope it will be a resource for others interested in prototyping with mycelium and will provide an avenue for us to connect with others and share our work in a wider context.
Arvind presenting about mycelium growth to a class of RISD students.
We explored other mycelium-oriented business and educational websites to ensure that we were offering something unique while addressing some of the shortcomings of other websites with our work.
We analyzed our existing user research and additional research Arvind did for his graduate thesis to uncover particular needs for our audience and ideate around how we might address them.
We created a site map and sketched low-fidelity wireframes before moving into Squarespace to design and build our site.