The Nantaise Cow
Systemic design with Nantes Metropole & L’ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique Food Lab students, 2023
In collaboration with the city of Nantes, I took part in a systemic design research project around 'the Nantaise Cow.' The objective was to spotlight the biodiversity of the city's territory and examine the role of sustainable cow farming. Working closely with local cow breeders, we meticulously mapped data, identified key actors, and documented crucial moments throughout the entire lifecycle of cattle—from rearing to slaughter, processing, and finally, the sale of meat.
My role
We discovered and analyzed the life of this local breed within its specific ecosystem, connecting all stakeholders involved in the journey from the cow's birth to the sale of its meat through a short circuit We demonstrated how design could help to understanding the complexity and controversy of this subject by creating a collaborative tool of mediation. We then focused our work on generating solutions thanks to product and graphic design to address pivotal moments of tension within this ecosystem.
Key learnings
I learnt a lot in navigating the complexities of this systemic project, especially by bridging communication gaps among interdependent actors of the Nantaise cov ecosystem. By fostering connections and highlighting strategic challenges, we revealed opportunities for design-driven solutions. The project highlighted the feasibility of innovative approaches even within a sector based on traditional practices. Project management was key in working in such a large group, to assure continuity and coherence between the parts of the exhibition.
Then?
The Nantaise cow exposition was showcased all summer 2023 in the Voyage à Nantes festival, and then travelled to Eindhoven (Netherlands) to be presented during the Dutch Design Week 2023. The scenography developed for the project will living as the city of Nantes plans to integrate it into educational initiatives for further learning purposes.
Photography credits : Jean Charles Queffelec & Julia Kunkel