Wow !  Fantastic idea. How can we help Mosesa? What are three immediate areas that you need help with?

Thank you so much for your kind comment, UpRising! The three immediate areas that I am currently trying to find a solution for include: 

1. Determining how I can power the device without using cords or external power supplies, while also using a sustainable energy source. The components that need to be powered are an LED light strip and the Air pump that provides oxygen to the water. I'm currently looking at solar cells and how I can connect them to electrical components - I will need to contact someone with electrical expertise. 

2. Determining how I can make the lampshade adjustable so it can slide down the pole to cater for different plant heights. I was thinking of drilling holes into the lampstand and using a small rod to place through both the clamp of the lampshade and the lampstand. Another option I was thinking of is using a clamp system. However, these need to be experimented with. 

3. Determining how I can reduce the costs of the product to ensure that the market can purchase it for a low price. Many external resources, such as the air pump and filter, the growing medium, the nutrients, and the LED lights, create an additional cost that greatly impacts the final price of the product. Currently, I'm experimenting with melting and fusing bottle caps for the casing of the design, which would reduce the cost of the acrylic material that I was originally going to use for the casing. 

Any advice or feedback will be greatly appreciated! 

Hi Momesa, What an interesting idea! We love the way you have really thought about the components and powering of the planter. 

It seems quite small - there may be benefit in making it larger (particularly for the whiteboard component). 

We like the way you have combined drawing elements and it gives us a good idea of the finished product. Down the track it would be good to experiment with Revit.

Kind regards

Melanie (Fashion ) and Isla (Landscape Architecture)

Hi Mosesa, 

I love the idea of bringing greenery in doors to help lighten up the place. For a sick child I'm sure that would make a lot of difference. 

I do have a few thoughts about your current design that I'd be happy to share. While hydroponics are really cool and would be interesting for the kids to interact with, its excessive for a single plant. Each plant would require its very own UV lamp, pump, plumbing setup not to mention power source. Imagine if you wanted several plants in your room, you would have cords running everywhere! 

Have you considered a single hydroponics station that you can add several plants to? Something that you could easily remove a plant from and put back when you are done. That way you could have a single spot with potentially a dozen pots that slip in and out, sharing the single lamp, pump, and power cord. It would be much cheaper and efficient. 

I'm sure a part of the decision to keep it as a singular plant was to make it easy to pick up and draw on for your great whiteboard coating idea. However, could you imagine someone who is sick and weak trying to hold that so they can draw on it while bed-bound? You would have the weight of the lamp, pump and water storage making it really hard for them to hold with one hand so they can draw on it. Having removable pots with that coating would make it much lighter and easier for them to handle. 

Keep at it! I'm sure you will be able to bring this idea to an actual product!

P.S. I saw your comment about using solar power. If you have sunlight, then you won’t need the lamp! This would greatly reduce the power required.

Good evening Mosesa. 

Great update on your project image. Hope you are getting a lot of being part of this years' UpRising.

Sending out a little UpRising news update. 

Hi there Mosesa, hope all is well. Congratulations you are nearly there.

If you could update the image on your Post to show a little collage of your projects development that would be fantastic. We will be awarding the top three UpRising design projects for 2024 and the UpRising alliance and community love to see the journey of your design.

There is a little feedback survey, if you could fill it in that would fantastic as it really helps us to understand how we can better help next years design students.

https://forms.gle/XLgNBqQepAw2Go5q7

It also has an option for you to select if you would like to continue to be involved in UpRising next year and beyond. Lots of interesting ways to continue to build connections within the design industry. Great for your resume and career paths.

Wishing you all the best with your trials and finishing touches on your MDP.

Shout out if we can help in any way.

Congratulations your project is looking fantastic Mosea.

Make use you include some of this feedback in your evaluations.