Biodiversity Hotspots: Designing Humanity’s Role in Ocean Conservation

Research and Project Development

CI’s Global Conservation Projects

Students learned about CI’s projects in countries/communities around the world. CI stressed that their approach has redefined conservation because they are not exclusively focusing on the threats to the natural environment. CI engages with residents who economically depend on the ocean – and who very often are struggling with the effects of climate change and technology outsourcing. This connection is a new direction for conservation efforts.

Natalia Vasquez, climate strategist at IDEO, discussed emerging trends that can set the stage of the future of the oceans – these ideas can help conservationists today target the most pressing geographical areas and communities. Countries near the equator tend to have more biodiversity in their oceans, but they also have areas of greater poverty.

People need to be included in the design of any conservation project.

CI conducts human-centered research to understand the needs of the people on the ground and often tap into innovative designs that can help others see different ways of addressing a problem.

Elena Finkbeiner, PhD, Director of Coastal Community Fisheries for CI, discussed the human stories behind sustainable seafood and the perils of fisheries in many communities. Women are habitually threatened by forced labor, sexual assault/harassment and are typically ignored in the decision-making processes at many fisheries.

Quotes

“I call this classroom my happy place because we got to throw ideas around and have quality, smart discussions about things that are going on. We got to talk about conservation, but also design ideas and experiences. And we got to have very smart dialog very much like adults and colleagues, discussions that tickles the brain in all the right ways.” – Wendy Thai, instructor

Research and Project Development

Fisheries, AI, and Gender Equity

Students learned that successful fisheries keep a sustainable stock and manage the ecosystem impacts. About 60 million people are employed in fisheries and aquaculture; half of them are women. Despite being half of the workforce, women are disproportionately the least paid with barely any job security. While conservation advances have been created on fishing vessels at sea, once the fish is brought back to shore, women process, market and sell the fish on land. Women have been left out of the conversation for too long.

We are drowning in data, but we need real wisdom. – Mariana Prieto

Students heard an engaging discussion by CI’s Mariana Prieto on the power of AI and how it can be used in ocean conservation efforts. AI can optimize data, such as satellite images monitoring methane emissions, crop coverages, etc. to recommend future projects. AI can predict how well a species could adapt to new climate realities. Chat-based and map-based programs were discussed. Once armed with good information, the next step is how best to put that information into the hands of policy makers, teachers, and managers for effective action.

“I was waiting for a class like this at ArtCenter. I have a love for the ocean; I grew up at the Aquarium of the Pacific, always doing my own research and studies. I actually wanted to go into conservation and marine biology, but as I grew older, I found a love for design. This class was an opportunity to combine those two interests. How could I pass it up?” – Makiah Redson, student

Research and Project Development

Aquarium of the Pacific Visit

Finally, Jennie Dean from the Aquarium of the Pacific described conservation efforts at the Long Beach facility. She described husbandry/animal care, education, field support (monitoring species off the coast) and community science projects. The aquarium has partnerships to help monitor white sharks, oiled animals and toxic algae blooms. Community science projects engage the locals and give them a greater sense of stewardship for the plant and wildlife. Projects involve observation, data collections and restoration.

About 1.6 million people visit the Long Beach facility annually. Educating the public is part of the aquarium’s mission through guest interactions, lecture series and online resources. A new website interactive section, 30 Species, helps audiences understand data as it relates to ocean-related species. Additionally, staffers restore, rescue and rehabilitate species such as the southern sea otters and the near-extinct white abalone.

“The subject matter is as deep and wide as the ocean is very vast, and our knowledge partner, Conservation International, really encouraged the students to explore, first, what they were interested in and develop their own thesis from that.”
– Wendy Thai, instructor

Research and Project Development

Design Thinking Exercises

At the end of the session, students were divided into groups to share their initial thoughts and get the creative process rolling. Students were challenged to start with a Big Idea and then drill down through ideation and thoughtful research to uncover a workable concept. Teammates shared with each other what aspects of the presentations inspired them, and what possibilities seemed most interesting.

Later, a field trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific offered students a closer look at the aquarium’s mission along with the ocean animals and exhibits on ocean conservation.

To help them organize thoughts and interests, teams created an ecosystem graphic wireframe of their initial topic. This visual representation allowed the students to make sense of the information they have already collected and see possible relationships – and what areas of future research make sense.

What do you really want to understand?

Since they would be speaking with subject matter experts, students crafted questions to help them shape their initial concepts. They were advised not to ask on topics that could easily be answered by an online search or a library visit. Experts provided content and context which helped teams jettison some ideas while embracing others.

As teams conducted their own research, they also participated in assignments and in-class exercises. Teams practiced presenting for one another, explaining how they have identified an area of interest, what topic they hope to address – and why it mattered. They referred to their research, what they learned from their subject experts, and offered possible design solutions.

At midterm, teams shared with CI members and ArtCenter faculty a specific challenge, who are the people impacted by this problem and up to three interventions that could be implemented. They also presented possible collaborations and how best to measure the success of the project. Feedback helped teams narrow down their topics. Teams were encouraged to not make assumptions about their target audiences and don’t see them as just ‘victims.’

Remove your own biases when looking at the Big Picture.

Don’t create a new problem by designing your solution.

Student teams regrouped to modify and/or expand their design-thinking along with testing their concepts and creating sketches and prototypes. Teams incorporated storytelling skills and found relatable ways to share their concepts in simple and compelling narratives, which created empathy for the issue/problem.

During the last few weeks of the term, the class was encouraged to think beyond just their topic and bring in a news article that would spur a conversation about ethical design responsibility. Students were engaged to think about and articulate a difficult subject matter where the lines of right and wrong are often blurred. Instructors asked, “When is design helpful or harmful?”

Finally, as students were putting finishing touches on the project, they also learned the elements of making a good presentation: being articulate, making thoughts succinct, and relating an engaging story to captivate their audience. They practiced their skills and made sure there was a through-line in their narrative. Instructors reminded them to be brief.

Can you explain your project within the span of an elevator ride?

Final Outcomes

Freddie

Soojung Lee, Makiah Redson

To combat the excessive fish waste and to support local indigenous artisans of Mexico, this concept envisions using fish bones of red sea snappers as an art material. When mixed with additives, the new material can be the basis of new pottery pieces or can mend broken pottery ala the Japanese tradition of Kintsugo. A website introduces buyers to the product and shows the local connection of women in fisheries and women artisans.

Aquavore Pets

Jared Guadalupe Ayala, Chunyi Ou

This project imagines using invasive fish, like the Hawaiian Ta’ape, as the main ingredient in cat food. Consumers receive in the mail, frozen “bubbles” of cat food that is covered with an algae-based biofilm; bubbles are placed in a silicon mold for easier handling, defrosting and dispensing. Each “pop” of the mold releases a meal; the tray holds one week’s worth of meals for one cat. Once the Ta’ape problem is under control, the mold can be used for other invasive fish products, or consumers can use it for their own frozen concoctions.

Seagrass Restoration Exhibition

Dajung Ryu, Ruosu Zhao

To raise the awareness of the importance of sea grass, this immerse walk-through exhibition introduces the public to an aquatic resident that relies of seagrass, the dugong. Installed in a large community space, such as the plaza of L.A. Live, this immersive experience features eight rooms that aim to spark empathy. Guests can hear ocean waves, and the dugong’s song. Sea grass is created out of soft tangible fabric and is placed on the floor, walls and tunnels. A digital aquarium game invites users to play and, by making a donation, can help conservation efforts to restore sea grass environments.

Aquanomics

Yasmine Gutierrez, Sijia Liu

To provide women in Liberia with alternatives of obtaining fish that is safe, scalable and economically viable, this project envisions a women-run collective aquaponics system that will raise fish (native tilapia) and grow vegetables (tomato, lettuce, etc.). A community start-up kit contains key components to start a system (pumps, filters, pipes, etc.) and suggests easy modifications for other necessary items (an old freezer can be a fish tank, etc.). The goal is to transition the project from a small operation in one Liberian fishing village to a robust system in neighboring communities and beyond.