DELIVERABLES¶
PROJECT MANAGEMENT¶
beginning with the end in mind¶
DESIGN THINKING MODEL¶
OVERALL PROJECT FLOW¶
Material → Behavior → Form → Body → Interaction → Reflection
VISUAL PROJECT TIMELINE¶
Seaweed Dialogues — Project Phases
15.12.25–04.01.26 05.01–18.01.26 19.01–08.02.26 09.02–22.02.26 23.02–08.03.26 09.03–27.03.26
│ │ │ │ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
DISCOVER ───────── DEFINE ───── DEVELOP I ───── DEVELOP II ───── DEVELOP III ───── DELIVER
DISCOVER — Material & Context¶
15.12.2025 – 04.01.2026
[ Research ] → [ Observe ] → [ Sense ]
Desk research on Sargassum (ecology, politics, material discourse) Case studies (Seaweed Dialogues, Lohmann, bio-wearables) Context mapping (Mexico, coastline, stakeholders) Sensory imagination & material references (without making) Output: Research notes · Context & stakeholder map · Initial material & narrative vocabulary
DEFINE — Focus & Research Question¶
05.01.2026 – 11.01.2026
[ Reflect ] → [ Select ] → [ Frame ]
Synthesize research insights Decide focus: Material → Object → Vessel / Body-adjacent Define role of material vs. technology Formulate research question & project scope Output: Clear project framing · Short concept statement · Defined scope
DEVELOP I — Material Systems¶
12.01.2026 – 08.02.2026 [ Forage ] → [ Recipe ] → [ Test ] → [ Compare ]
Forage & document Sargassum Material preparation (cleaning, drying, grinding) Binder testing (agar, alginate, glycerin) Sheet thickness & translucency Drying methods (flat / hanging / airflow) Failure as data Output: Material sample library · 2–3 stable recipes · Process documentation
DEVELOP II — Form & Body Relation¶
09.02.2026 – 22.02.2026 [ Cut ] → [ Assemble ] → [ Wear ]
Cutting / laser cutting Modular systems & seams Bubble-, organ- & vessel-like geometries On-body testing (movement, comfort, intimacy) Output: Wearable fragments / vessels · Body tests · Movement documentation
DEVELOP III — Interaction Logic¶
23.02.2026 – 08.03.2026 [ Interact ] → [ Map ] → [ Refine ]
Define material agency in relation to the body Low-tech interaction tests (air, tension, gravity, layering) Optional conceptual sensor mockups Interaction & behavior mapping Output: Main prototype direction · Interaction diagram · Refined concept framing
DELIVER — Interaction, Evaluation & Storytelling¶
09.03.2026 – 27.03.2026 [ Test ] → [ Reflect ] → [ Communicate ]
Wear-tests & video / photo documentation Reflection writing & positioning Final prototype or resolved fragment Prepare final presentation & narrative Output: Final prototype or artifact Clear narrative Material archive Evaluation & next steps
PROJECT PLAN¶
From January to March 2026
13/01/26 - 01 PPD
01 PPD. Review on Planning/Process/Workflow: Gantt - Planning, Electronics, Custom tools and BOM
27/01/26 - 02 PPD
02 PPD. Focus Groups - Mentoring sessions
10/02/26 - 12/02/26 - 03 PPD
03 PPD. Mid Term Presentations
23/02/26 - 26/02/26 - 04 PPD
04 PPD. Focus Groups - Mentoring sessions
08/03/26 - 11/03/26- 05 PPD
05 PPD. Review on Storytelling & final prototype
24/03/26 - 27/03/26 - 05 PPD
06 PPD. Final Project Presentations
| Phase | Timeframe | Focus | Key Activities | Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DISCOVER Observe · Understand |
15.12.2025 – 04.01.2026 | Material & context exploration (theoretical) | • Desk research on Sargassum (ecology, politics, material discourse) • Case studies (Seaweed Dialogues, Lohmann, bio-wearables) • Context mapping (Mexico, coastline, stakeholders) • Sensory imagination & material references (without making) |
• Research notes & references • Context & stakeholder map • Initial material & narrative vocabulary |
| DEFINE Research framing |
05.01.2026 – 18.01.2026 | Clarifying focus & intention | • Synthesize research insights • Define role of material vs. technology • Define body proximity (wearable / body-adjacent / vessel) • Formulate research question & project scope |
• Clear research question • Short concept statement • Defined project scope & boundaries |
| DEVELOP I Material systems |
19.01.2026 – 08.02.2026 | Material stabilization & testing | • Forage & document Sargassum • Material preparation (cleaning, drying, grinding) • Develop bioplastic sheet systems • Binder ratio testing (agar, alginate, glycerin) • Drying methods (flat, hanging, airflow) • Sample comparison |
• Material sample library • 2–3 promising material recipes • Documentation of failures & successes |
| DEVELOP II Form & body |
09.02.2026 – 22.02.2026 | Form exploration & body relation | • Cutting & modular systems • Stitching / knotting experiments • Bubble-, organ- & vessel-like geometries • On-body testing (movement, comfort, fragility) |
• Wearable fragments / vessels • Movement & body documentation • Identified interaction potentials |
| DEVELOP III Interaction logic |
23.02.2026 – 08.03.2026 | Material ↔ body ↔ environment | • Define material agency in relation to the body • Low-tech interaction tests (air, tension, layers, gravity) • Optional sensor mockups (conceptual, non-final) • Interaction & behavior mapping |
• Main prototype direction • Interaction diagram • Refined concept framing |
| DELIVER Test · Reflect |
09.03.2026 – 27.03.2026 | Evaluation & communication | • Wear-tests & video documentation • Reflection writing & positioning • Final prototype or resolved fragment • Prepare final presentation & narrative |
• Final prototype or artifact • Material archive documentation • Process documentation • Clear project narrative |
MATERIALS & TOOLS — PROJECT OVERVIEW¶
Project: Ocean Breath / Sargassum Wearable
ONE-LINE SUMMARY¶
“The project relies on locally sourced biomaterials, shared Fab Lab tools, and self-built low-tech custom tools, ensuring feasibility, adaptability, and process-driven development.”
1. Core Materials (Biomaterials)¶
Category Material Purpose Notes
| Category | Material | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomass | Sargassum seaweed | Primary biofabricated material | Locally sourced, washed & dried |
| Binder | Sodium Alginate | Flexibility & strength | Algae-based polymer |
| Binder | Glycerin | Plasticizer | Controls softness & elasticity |
| Additives | Vinegar / Calcium salts | pH control / crosslinking | Optional, experimental |
| Water | Distilled / tap water | Material preparation | Process medium |
2. Consumables¶
Category Item Purpose Surfaces Baking paper / silicone sheets Casting & drying
| Category | Item | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces | Baking paper / silicone sheets | Casting & drying |
| Films | Polyester / acetate sheets | Smooth surfaces |
| Fixing | Thread / fishing line | Assembly & testing |
| Documentation | Labels, markers | Sample tracking |
3. Tools (Standard / Shared Lab Tools)¶
| Tool | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blender | Biomass processing | Shared or personal |
| Grinder | Dried seaweed powder | Optional |
| Hot plate | Heating biopolymers | Temperature control |
| Scale | Precise ratios | Essential |
| Containers | Mixing & casting | Heat-resistant |
| Laser cutter | Cutting / modular patterns | Fab Lab access |
| Camera / phone | Documentation | Process & tests |
4. Custom / Self-Made Tools (PPD-relevant)¶
| Custom Tool | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Drying frames (DIY) | Controlled drying & tension | To be built |
| Modular casting molds | Vessel / wearable forms | Iterative |
| Body-scale test rigs | Fit & movement testing | Simple mockups |
| Inflation / tension tools | Low-tech interaction tests | Experimental |
Note: Custom tools are intentionally low-tech, adaptable, and developed alongside material testing.
5. Optional Electronics (Conceptual / Low Priority)¶
| Component | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Air pump / balloon | Material movement tests | Optional |
| Basic sensors | Conceptual interaction | Not core focus |
| LEDs | Visual feedback (optional) | Low priority |
| LEDs Visual feedback (optional) Low priority | ||
| Electronics are conceptual and non-essential in the current phase. | ||
| Primary focus remains material behavior & body interaction. |
6. Estimated BOM Scope (PPD-01 Level)¶
| Category | Cost Level |
|---|---|
| Biomaterials | Low |
| Tools (lab-based) | Existing |
| Custom tools | DIY / low-cost |
| Electronics | Optional |