The Butterfly Effect
The Butterfly Effect
One small change can make a big difference.
Project Brief
The project brief was to design an installation that would exist in Clinton Square in Syracuse, NY.
Overview
The Butterfly Effect is an installation designed for downtown Syracuse, NY, in Clinton Square during the winter season. At the start of the project, I wanted to understand the space I was working with, so I visited the site a few times. Winters in Syracuse are freezing, which I knew might limit my ability to bring people together outdoors—but I was excited for the challenge!
Clinton Square typically features an ice rink during the winter months, so I ensured my design considered this.
The Butterfly Effect is a principle from chaos theory that illustrates how small, seemingly insignificant actions can create significant and unpredictable ripple effects.
Inspired by this theory, I thought of how to warm up the space with heat and color. Heated, colorful lanterns would not only fill Clinton Square with vibrancy but also attract people, transforming the cold, gloomy winter into a lively gathering place for Syracuse residents, students, and visitors.
Ideating
Drawing inspiration from existing artists’ installations, the Supertree Grove in Singapore, and the intricate patterns of butterfly wings, I enjoyed sketching ideas to explore how these forms could transform the space. This project was unique for me because it shifted my focus from designing products—like handheld items, furniture, and phone apps—to creating an interactive experience within a space. Speaking with professionals in installation design and the residents of Syracuse as well as spending time in the Square further guided my approach and helped me think differently about the process.
Sketching
During the concepting phase, I focused on integrating the metal wings I designed with existing heating lamps while figuring out how each component of the installation would come together.
I created a floor plan to map out the configuration of the heating lamp tables and experimented with materials and pricing to determine the overall cost. This stage allowed me to ensure all elements would fit cohesively within the space.
Concepting
Materials
Butterfly Wings - high chrome nickel austenitic alloys (Heat resistant stainless steal) ~ $3/lbs, bronze ~$2.35/lbs
Booths - Concrete
Final Concept
