Endangered Animal — Javan Rhino
DM-GY 6053 B Ideation & Prototyping
Overview
This project is about how the things we create affect us and our world. We’re surrounded by stuff we design, and sometimes, that stuff becomes waste. I decided to do something different. I focused on the Javan Rhino, a super endangered animal with only about 70 left in Indonesia.
I gathered recycled materials and used them to make a model of the Javan Rhino. It’s a way to show how we can repurpose things we might throw away and make something meaningful. This project makes people think about how what we create impacts the planet and the animals that share it with us.
Research
Behavior
- Solitary Nature: Typically solitary, except for mothers with calves.
- Territorial: Mark territories with dung and urine to establish boundaries.
- Nocturnal: Primarily active during the night, rest during the day.
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, consuming grasses, leaves, shoots, and fruits.
- Bathing and Wallowing: Enjoy mud and water baths for cooling and protection.
- Communication: Limited vocalizations (grunts, growls), use body language and marking.
- Shy and Elusive: Quick to retreat from human presence into dense vegetation or water.
- Reproductive Behavior: Mating behavior not well-documented due to solitary nature; gestation period around 16 months; single calves born.
Habitat
- Native to Southeast Asia
- Inhabits tropical rainforests, swampy grasslands, and wetlands
- Riparian zones along rivers and streams are important
- Some populations inhabit isolated islands
- Prefers areas with thick vegetation for feeding and shelter
Conservation status
The Javan Rhino stands as one of the most critically endangered species on our planet, raising serious alarms among wildlife experts and conservationists due to its perilously low population. Its endangerment can be attributed to several key factors:
- Habitat Loss: Deforestation, agriculture, and development have reduced living space.🪵🪓
- Poaching: Demand for rhino horns drives illegal hunting.🔪
- Small Population: Low numbers lead to genetic issues and vulnerability to disasters.🦏
- Isolation: Limited mates and genetic diversity due to isolation.
- Natural Disasters: Vulnerable to tsunamis and volcanic eruptions in Southeast Asia.🌋
- Inadequate Conservation: Historical limitations and ongoing challenges in protection.
Observation
Javan Rhino
- Dusky grey coloration
- Single horn, reaching up to 10 inches in length
- Skin adorned with loose folds, resembling armor plating
- Smaller head and less pronounced skin folds compared to the closely-related greater one-horned rhinoceros
Ideation
In my ideation process, I employed a unique approach to construct the prototype of the Javan Rhino, utilizing a toy stroller as the foundational bone structure. An intriguing discovery emerged during this phase — the inverted seat of the stroller remarkably resembled the head structure of the Rhino. Equally significant is the understanding that safeguarding the rhino holds as much importance as nurturing our own baby.
A prominent feature of the rhino’s physique lies in its unique armor-plated skin. To bring this concept to life with precision, I chose to integrate three distinct surfaces into the construction of the entire structure. This deliberate choice not only facilitated a more intricate and faithful portrayal of the rhino’s physical characteristics but also yielded a visually captivating and conceptually profound prototype.
Prototype
Exploration of Egg Packaging
I was truly captivated by the distinctive shape of egg packaging, which inspired me to incorporate it into various aspects of my rhino design, including the horn and toes. Initially, my focus was primarily on the packaging’s bottom structure. However, upon flipping it over, I made an intriguing discovery — the inside cusp resembled the top of the rhino’s horn, and when viewed from the side, the outer part bore a striking resemblance to its toes. This multi-faceted utility of a single packaging component left me enthralled by the myriad ways it could be employed in my design.
Assemble
I used a lot of recycled materials, especially the toy stroller, which are smooth and heavy, making them hard to glue together. To solve this problem, I used rubber bands to tie them together. The rubber bands provided strong support to keep everything firmly in place.
Taking inspiration from rubber bands, I employed yarn to securely bind the cardboard and metal structure together. Additionally, I cut a hole on the cardboard and and attached a slender plastic bag, artfully twisted to form the tail.
Final Design
I’ve categorized the design into three distinct sections, capturing its essence: the head and neck, the body, and the four legs. To craft the head, I ingeniously repurposed the toy stroller seat, while for the neck, I utilized an inflated plastic bag to achieve lifelike, loose folds.
For the body’s armor-plated skin texture, I ingeniously joined together brown paper, creating an ideal material. Finally, the legs came to life through the clever use of water bottles and milk boxes.
I was drawn to the ergonomic design of the water bottle, which conveniently accommodates hand placement. This design aspect seamlessly integrated with the concept for the rhino’s hind leg, resembling its tendons. Furthermore, I repurposed half of a peach packaging to fashion the rhino’s toes, demonstrating the versatility of materials in the creation.
Reflection
Throughout the entire process, I relished the opportunity to explore the distinctive characteristics of various materials, with a particular focus on the creative potential of egg packaging. Beyond the conventional use of foamcore or cardboard for constructing the physical prototype of the rhino, my objective was to artfully amalgamate different materials to encapsulate the essence of its form and structure. Each unique feature of the packaging played a pivotal role in portraying the rhino’s appearance.
One of the most remarkable realizations in this project was the ability to repurpose seemingly unrelated objects, such as a toy stroller seat and a water bottle, into elements that uncannily resembled the rhino’s distinctive features. This process underscored the profound connection between design and creation. It reinforced my belief that we are both products of deliberate design and architects of the world we inhabit, showcasing the cyclical nature of design in our lives.
Work Cited
Fig.1 https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/javan-rhino
Fig.2 https://houseofinfographics.com/infografis-badak-jawa-mengenal-si-pemalu-yang-hampir-punah/
Fig.3 https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/javan-rhino
