2023 Award Winner!
Mitchell Wiley
I got into design from a background of various arts such as painting, model making, gardening etc. I have a passion for the natural world and this passion shows through my design work. I thought about a career path in landscape architecture but eventually found myself in love with industrial design for its broad scope which allows me to use my inspiration from nature to work towards a sustainable future.
The Four Essential Pillars for Design Excellence
The four essential pillars encompass human-centric design approach and the understanding of full-bodied, three dimensional physical interaction of user, product and environment. The projects generate innovative solutions using research-driven, evidence-based designs which focus on the user experience.
Enhancement of Human Lifestyle
Forest Force works to manage invasive plants to save natural ecosystems from destruction for the benefit of all living things.
Human-Interaction & User-Centric Design
The tool allows users to stand up while cutting trees, reducing stress on the body. In addition, the backpack portion reduces weight on the arms.
Ergonomics & Human Factors Design
The tool is adjustable in its overall length as well as the foregrip to ensure all relevant body types can use it safely and effectively.
Sustainability & Social Responsibility
In addition to a commitment to using recycled materials in the tool, Forest Force utilizes novel all-natural fungal herbicides to ensure cut trees don’t grow back again.
Forest Force: Improving Removal of Invasive Buckthorn
Project Summary
The common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a harmful invasive shrub-like tree in North America due to its aggressive growth and ability to spread rapidly. This plant can outcompete native plants, leading to biodiversity loss which affects all parts of the biosphere. Current management methods are not effective due to the buckthorn’s ability to regrow after being cut. Chemical pesticides are used together with chainsaws to keep these plants dead however this is not sustainable nor is it sustainable. Forest Force aims to solve the various problems of buckthorn management by improving ergonomics, and utilizing new biological control through an all-natural fungal herbicide to ensure plants stay dead.
Thesis Summary Motion Presentation
Forest Force aims to solve the challenges of buckthorn management, this video will explain these problems and how Forest Force solves them.
Thesis Visual Presentation
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Thesis Development Process
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3D Design Development & Modeling
Physical Model Video
Process of making a 1:3 scale model of the Forest Force tool.
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