TICK TECH
◼ Design interventions to protect foresters
◼ 2024
Challenge
Commissioned by the Office National des Forêts (ONF), the project aimed to develop practical design interventions to reduce foresters’ exposure to Lyme disease. With tick-borne illnesses posing an increasing risk to those working in forested environments, the ONF sought actionable solutions that could be integrated into the daily routines and ecosystems of their field agents, without disrupting the broader environmental balance.
Research
To better understand the stakes and context, I joined foresters on immersive, day-long field sessions, observing their routines, habits, and concerns. A recurring theme was the anxiety of unintentionally transporting ticks home and endangering their families. Parallel to this field immersion, I conducted ecological research specific to the Nancy region, identifying the Ixodes ricinus tick and associated wildlife, such as deer and birds, as key vectors. A benchmark study of existing prevention methods revealed a wide gap between what was effective in theory and what was practical for ONF agents in the field.
Ideation
Ideation involved both independent design and collaborative outreach. I initiated partnerships with key regional actors, including the local hunters' federation and the University of Strasbourg’s Center for Lyme Disease, to compare knowledge and expertise. Together, we brainstormed a series of interventions targeting each link in the chain of vectors, combining original ideas with adapted, pre-existing solutions.
Creation
The creation phase focused on prototyping and systematization. I developed three distinct 3D-printable devices designed to administer eco-friendly pesticides to various fauna, thereby interrupting the tick life cycle. For the stakeholders, I produced a comprehensive cartographic overview of local disease vectors, paired with intervention strategies and detailed analyses of active compounds, including their effectiveness, toxicity levels, and regulatory status.
Result
The final deliverables included three cost-effective, deployable devices designed to target small mammals, large mammals, and avifauna. These devices can be distributed across forested zones to passively reduce tick populations over time. Responding to the fears the foresters expressed during the immersion, I also proposed a dedicated tick-check station on the ONF campus, complete with equipment and checklists to help foresters minimize exposure before returning home. The ONF has since approved the project for testing at scale.
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