Growing by Design: EMDD visits the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

Dr. Tong Li’s EMDD 650 course, Interactive Media Design and Development, has spent the beginning of this semester working with Erica Oliver at Ball State’s Rinard Orchid Greenhouse to create new ways that patrons might engage with this space.

EMDD students examined the greenhouse and worked to brainstorm, research, prototype, and present their ideas for ways that the greenhouse may find opportunities to better engage with their visitors, Ball State students, and the Muncie Community.

“As a professor, I appreciate this collaboration opportunity with Greenhouse and the support from Greenhouse coordinator Erica Oliver for EMDD students. I am also impressed by the innovative ideas generated by our students. They are great!“

Dr. Tong Li

Students use design thinking methods to develop new ideas for their prototypes. They then presented their ideas to Erica Oliver to test their prototypes and get feedback for the next iterations of their designs. Apps, websites, interactive spaces, and practical innovations were all part of the prototypes on display. By presenting to and engaging with their client, students learned the possibilities of their prototypes becoming a reality.

“The students asked great questions during our tour about the plants and animals here at our facility, and how we communicate information to our visitors through signage, social media, and in-person engagement. Following the tour, the students presented their prototype ideas with me. The students were very animated and excited about their prototypes, with a clear interest in creating a project with a purpose. I was very impressed by their attention to detail in the cardboard models of apps and websites they created, that gave it a very real feel. Their ideas are creative, engaging, and I think will really benefit the community members who get to use the final products. I look forward to seeing the next stage of their project when they return to the Greenhouse ready for the trial stage with the community.“

Erica Oliver, Environmental Educational Program Coordinator, Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

Want to know more about this and other EMDD projects? Follow EMDD on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Visit our Ball State University webpage for more information on how to join the EMDD program.