Could
mycelium
replace metal?
Role: Visual Identity & Concept Curator
Client: Imagination
Team: Rosie Loraine, Chloe Mason, Olivia Leitao
Brief:
Conceptualize an idea focused on reducing steel
consumption in ways that could positively contribute to
addressing the climate crisis.
Big Idea:
Transportation is the biggest consumer of steel.
Could a revolutinised and intergrated public transport
system replace the need for cars and trains?
After doing extensive research (diagrams unpacking the material uses bellow) we discovered that mycelium and cellulose derivertives could be used as a the base material for most of the components of a bus. The main theory backing this concept up is that the mycelium could be 3D printed as skeletal pieces to construct the bus and reduce the steel needed. The mycelium could also be utilised for insulation and cushoning of the bus and its internal furniture. In terms of the bicycles and boats, other biomaterials such as wood and bioplastics could be used to replace unecesary steel usages (e.g. wooden boat structures and 3D printed mycelium e-bike skeletons).
Our reimagined intergrated transport system consists of buses, boats, and bikes - each with their own transport aim and purpose.
The buses also use hovering technology to float and cut traffic times (this also reduces steel needed for screws in wheel mechanisms). The buses are powered by hydrogen engines and fuel to minimise the effect on the climate crisis. This is the fast paced, long distance, commuter option.
The boats provide a more relaxed journey. They are slower in pace and apply emphasis to the enjoyment of the journey, as well as the destination.
Finally, the E-bicycles provide a method of transport for those shorter distances, as well as for travelling fast across cityscapes.
In addition, the buses provide reliable, quickpaced and frequent bus routes and times for those commuting. Our brands top priority is commuter satisfaction and ensuring the journey is as enjoyable (and stree-free) as the destination!
Finally, we decided on a proposed partnership with brand Global Citizen to promote our transport system, especially the buses. The collaboration concept would revolve around the idea of Vecogo providing the transport means to access a festival event held by Global Citizen in a 'Park-and-Ride' manner. The buses would hover through serene fieldscapes to promote the serenity of vecogo as THE new mode of transport!
To conclude this project, we visited London to present and pith our concept design agency Imagination to recieve some final constructive criticism on our design which we amended!
