LIFE BITS

LIFE BITS

LIFE BITS

In 2012 I won the design competition “Beam me up Scotty” together with the mentor Hrafnkell Birgisson, a competition organised by the Helsinki design studio Diagonal and taking place in Habitare Design Fair.

 Three teams, each consisting of two designers, a mentor and a junior participated in the project described as “a groundbreaking and innovative, international design competition, process and exhibition that transcends time, place and space”. 

The concept focused on the year 2030, with the designers utilizing their talent and vision to create a fresh perspective. Each team was assigned to choose two mega-trends and frame a future scenario which the participants were to design. Once the designers had created and described that specific future moment, they were to use a future object needed or desired to solve or improve that imaginary situation.

Fernanda and Hrafnkell’s idea aims to create a source of identity within a community which simultaneously promotes inter-generational dialogue and a more meaningful aging experience. Life Bits is a customizable modular system comprised of several elements that can be used in a public library. These elements represent several data mediums (objects, sound, video, images, smell) together with physical items that will facilitate the sharing of life experiences and knowledge within a community.

“Life Bits is a highly inspirational concept to promote storytelling and serendipity. Out of the three contestants Life Bits is as a whole the most solid answer to the original design brief where a future megatrend is to be turned into a compelling and meaningful solution that helps everyday life in year 2030. It is innovative, forward-looking and plausible. Also, the dynamics, collaboration and inspiration of the design team – Fernanda and Hrafnkell – was clealry visible during the prototype preparation. They were driven. An example for future junior-mentor relationships to come. Life Bits can be seen as an important vehicle to promote intergenerational dialogue. It is a modern era storytelling platform which encourages even total strangers to share, start conversations and to pass on tacit information, knowledge and cultural heritage. When implemented for example in a public park, the impact to communal social capital and cohesion could be substantial.”

The Jury: Petteri Kolinen (Martela), Marc Skvorc (Klaus K Hotel), Ville Tikka (Wevolve), Sami Oinonen (+Studio

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