DECEMBER 2021
Design Fiction: Explores the Ethics of Technology
PROBLEM:
People are unwilling to buy lab meat because they find the meat paste disgusting
The Creation of Lab Meat:
Lab-grown meat, also called cultured meat, relies on eukaryotic cells obtained from complex multicellular organisms. Eukaryotes can be cultivated in bioreactors, where they proliferate until reaching a significant mass. Subsequently, these cells are gathered and shaped into a cohesive "paste."
A More In-Depth look at Cellular Agriculture:
Cellular agriculture revolves around the cultivation of stem cells. Veterinarians employ biopsies, a procedure involving the extraction of approximately 1 gram of biological tissue from a chosen animal using a needle, in order to obtain stem cells. Anesthesia is administered to the animals to mitigate any discomfort, and there are no lasting effects, allowing them to resume their normal lives within a few days. Subsequently, the cells are cultivated in a controlled environment, facilitating their development into muscle tissue. A bioreactor is utilized to promote cell multiplication while safeguarding the stem cells against contamination. This technology also enables the addition of nutrients, typically derived from plant-based extracts, consisting of a combination of amino acids, sugars, minerals, and vitamins. The growth process typically spans 2-3 weeks. The resulting output from the bioreactor is a mixture with meat-like characteristics, which requires further processing to modify its smell and taste, ultimately resembling ground meat. In theory, the meat produced in such a tightly regulated environment should be completely safe for consumption. However, additional research is necessary to fully validate this claim.
Quick Summary:
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Stem cells are extracted from cows.
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The cells are then put in a petri dish.
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They are then grown by adding nutrients
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When they grow from myotubes to muscle fiber they are placed into a bio reactor.
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Plant based serum is then added into the bioreactor along with the muscle fibers.
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The end result would be a meat paste, perfect for making sausages or hamburger patties.
PROJECT SOLUTION:
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Feed customers their own meat grown in the lab by combining human stem cells and pig tissue.
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I argue that this refocuses the ick factor on eating your own flesh. Fight fire with fire.
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Lab meat is more of a medium.
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Working with an organization to promote Lab Meat. Used primarily as a shock factor and a marketing stunt to grab attention.
Just a friendly reminder that this is design fiction!
TEST KITS
HOW DO THEY WORK?
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Order Test Kits Online
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Menu: Allows Customers to order a dish made with their meat grown in a lab.
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Vial: Holds a sticker with micro needles to collect blood sample from participant.
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Mail the vial back with the sticker in it to grow meat.
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A ME-EAT Box will be sent to the participant with the order they requested.
ME-EAT BOX
HOW DO THEY WORK?
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The vial with the blood sample is sent back to the lab so that the meat can be grown
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Box is sent to customer once the meal is ready
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The top of the box will be labeled with the dish the participant has ordered.
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Everything is precooked and microwaveable. This way users won't have to cook the meat in their own kitchens.
GRAPHICS:
ART DIRECTION:
The goal was to have a childish feel by implementing a cartoon aesthetic with heavy lines and bright solid colors. The graphic design attempts to reflect the product’s inherent satire nature.​
KEYWORDS:
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Unsetteling
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Eyecatching
MOVING FORWARD:
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Locating target audience.
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Box manufacture and distribution.
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UI/UX design of ME-EAT app and website.