Guoxiang Yang

Design Futures (MDes)

Poster — As urbanisation expands, city residents have fewer opportunities to engage with nature. The loss of natural experience in urban living style has permeated culture and become a social norm that contributes to the decline of nature connectedness, which may lead to a weakened sense of environmental responsibility. Under the growing environmental crisis, it is urgent to rethink the modern urban lifestyle.

Expo — This project explores the root causes and systemic barriers that contribute to a low nature connectedness among London youth. The lack of natural experience in urban living style has permeated culture and become a social norm, which may lead to a weakened sense of environmental responsibility. By adopting a design futures methodology, it reimagines the relationship between nature and young urban residents aged 13 to 15 in London over the next decade.

Nature Connectedness Educational Toolkits — This toolkit is designed for London students in years 9 to 11. It is a school curriculum for outdoor learning that transforms Hyde Park into a playful and reflective classroom. Students collaboratively explore nature through five themed activities, guided by a gamified toolkit. As part of the early stage in the transition roadmap, this intervention serves as a low-barrier but high-impact entry point. By activating curiosity, we lay the foundation for broader cultural and systemic transformation envisioned in a future with a higher nature connectedness.

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This research booklet presents a design research project that explores how to increase nature connectedness among 13 to 15-year-olds in urban London by the year 2035. It is created for educators, policymakers, communities, designers, and researchers who are interested in tackling the psychological and cultural disconnection from nature in rapidly urbanising environments. The booklet synthesises research insights, co-created scenarios, and strategic interventions to offer a roadmap for systemic change.

About

Guoxiang Yang is a designer and design futures researcher currently based in London. She graduated from Monash University in Australia with a double degree of Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Media and Communication. Her work reflects a unique blend of aesthetics, functionality and speculation. She believes that design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a medium of storytelling, a bridge between the public and better future. Before the RCA, she developed her career in UX/UI design, motion design, and social media operations.

Guoxiang’s current research and practice focuses on exploring the root causes and systemic barriers that contribute to a low nature connectedness in modern urban life. By adopting a design futures methodology, she reimagines the relationship between nature and young residents in London over the next decade.

Interests:
Transition design, nature connectedness, urban ecology, youth participation, education innovation, nature-based futures, complex human-centered challenges.

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