MUSIC FESTIVAL HEAT RESILIENCE

University Capstone Project, 2024

Context

Self-directed project, final Bachelor of Design course at the Australian National University.

Brief

Research, develop and justify an independent project informed by critical thinking and an understanding of contemporary design methodologies. Implement fundamental design processes, such as problem framing, ideation, prototyping, evaluation, and reflective practice.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

How might we improve the user experience of attending outdoor music festivals during hot weather, and promote heat resilience to support the viability of the festival industry in Australia in the face of climate change?

RESEARCH

The survival of the Australian music festival industry is at risk.

22 Australian festivals were cancelled between 2022 and 2023, Compared to only 10 over the prior 7 years.

A dramatic increase in extreme weather is a dominant contributing factor.

PROBLEM FRAMING

CONTEXT

  • Music festivals have important social, economic and cultural functions.

  • The industry is struggling to cope with unpredictable weather.

  • Extreme heat was selected as a focus area.

USER GROUP

  • The design is centred around the user experience of festival attendees (young people in Australia).

PROJECT OUTPUT

  • A widely applicable model for how infrastructure may be implemented to increase comfort, safety, and help generate memorable experiences.

  • Sustaining the viability of the industry.

USER RESEARCH

Surveys and findings synthesis via affinity mapping.

IDEATION

‘How Might We…’ questions, case study inspiration, sketching, lo-fi rapid paper prototyping, early digital mockups as proof of concept.

Testing modularity for scalability.

OUTCOMES

Site layout design, infrastructure design and example user journey to demonstrate improved user experience for attendees during extreme heat.

User experience is all-encompassing, considering safety and practicality as well as curating unique and memorable experiences.

Mockups and illustrations produced with Adobe Illustrator.

INFRASTRUCTURE EXPLAINED

A HUMAN-CENTRED SOLUTION

  • Crowded dancing areas pose the greatest risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

  • Concerns of losing friends or ‘losing your spot’ incentivises people to stay here for too long, increasing risk.

  • This design promotes safety by keeping attendees cool and making drinking water easily accessible.

A FOCUS ON USER EXPERIENCE

  • Remote, natural environments are a key component of Australian festival culture.

  • The ephemerality and escapism provided by remote temporary festival sites are foundational to the identity of these events.

  • This design emphasises and celebrates the outdoor setting by allowing trees to be seen behind the unimposing stage structure, integrating nature into the built installation.

Mist arena cross section and operation.

DESIGNING FOR THE WHOLISTIC EXPERIENCE

  • Offering a range of spaces to enrich the overall festival experience. Intentional curation of different environments and immersive experiences prioritises UX.

  • Slow-paced environment also allows for rejuvenation and recovery. Taking breaks is important both during the day and night.

PRACTICALITY AND SAFETY

  • Remote festival sites usually have no phone service.

  • The need for better on-ground communication systems draws from personal experience at a 2024 music festival that was cancelled part-way through for extreme fire risk: lack of information is stressful and dangerous.

DAYTIME SCENE

Situated heat resilience infrastructure.

EXAMPLE USER JOURNEY

Mapping infrastructure interventions and interaction points as users move through space.