Project Statement:
Do you remember being a child looking up at the starry night sky above you and thinking of all the possibilities/things that could be? On a clear summer night, you could see the formation of the Big Dipper, the man in the moon, or even a distant red planet. As the earth becomes more and more populated, and technology grows increasingly more powerful, the chances that you can still see what is happening up there in our galaxy everyday. Now that over half of the entire world’s population inhabits major cities the global issue of light pollution increases as time goes by. Light pollution may not seem like that much of a pressing issue, however it severely affects our ecosystems, living conditions, and energy waste.
This project aims to bring increased awareness to the issue of light pollution. Most people do not realize the affect excess light is having on our environment and health. If people were more aware of the issue and it’s specific connection to tangible problems we face, there would be a larger incentive to reduce the amount of unnecessary light that is polluting our skies each night, just as much as greenhouse gasses etc. Luckily, if we can all come together light pollution is a problem that can be easily reduced. All it takes is simply, hitting the lights!
Systems Diagram of Light Pollutions Negative Effects:
I decided to design three pairs of sunglasses that each represent a negative effect from light pollution. Using the systems diagram I created, I chose the to create a pair of Human Exhaustion glasses, Bird glasses, and Stars glasses.
Step one was drawing up some quick sketches of what I wanted to make.
Bird Glasses:
Inspired by the migratory birds that rely on the transition between night and day during their migrations who become distracted by bright cities and loose their way. I used spray paint and feathers.
Human Exhaustion Glasses:
Inspired by the lost sleep of many people living in areas with light pollution. Light pollution disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, causing irregular melatonin production and makes it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Along with sleep problems, light pollution has been identified to be one of the causes of depression, anxiety, and obesity. For these glasses I used spray paint, coffee beans, skull beads, and Advil. I also added wire under the lenses to mimic under eye circles.
Star Glasses:
Inspired by the loss of the ability to view the stars in the night sky. I used thread, with gold and silver beads to hang like twinkling stars, gold paint, and a star bead.
It was at this time I began laying out my infographic and came up with the slogan, Hit the Lights! On Illustrator I drew a giant broken light bulb, with “Hit the Lights” written in it’s coil.
I added information about light pollution such as what it is, the issues it causes and who/what is affected by it to the inside of the bulb. Around the bulb, I listed and described the thee pairs of sunglasses I was creating and information about their meaning.
I began working on the glasses.
Final Product
Bird Glasses:
Human Exhaustion Glasses:
Star Glasses:
Final Presentation
