Woo Nature
Ethan Harrison
See it On Campus: Level 2
Installation located in Rennie Hall.
Visitor Info
Project Overview
Mission Statement
Woo Nature is a campaign dedicated to the rebranding of Emily Carr University’s Outdoors Club. Sprouting from the understanding that humans are designed to be in nature and that time spent outdoors is not just beneficial for a person’s well-being, but an essential part of being a human.
Woo Nature aims to foster a sustainable culture of exploration, environmental appreciation, and student-led adventure. A place where creative minds can recharge, find inspiration, and build meaningful connections through shared experiences in nature. Though this is just the beginning, I believe in the long run, this movement has the potential to transform how we as artists, designers, and thinkers engage with the world beyond campus.
The Problem
Despite being located in one of the most ecologically rich and naturally beautiful regions in the world, Emily Carr University has a noticeable absence of nature and green space within its campus environment and culture. The physical design of the school incorporates minimal natural elements and there is little institutional encouragement or infrastructure to support outdoor activities and recreation.
Values
Living and studying in a place surrounded by mountains, ocean, and forests, it felt almost necessary to build my project around the idea that everyone deserves access to the natural beauty that defines our region.
Approach
For me, nature has always been deeply tied to texture and sensory experience. These tangible, felt experiences shaped my understanding of the natural world growing up. As I began developing the initial assets and visual language for the Woo Nature campaign, I made it a priority to carry those tactile, organic qualities into the design.
Process
I’ve always valued working with our hands, of physically engaging with materials as a way to think, explore, and create. For this project in particular, that approach felt especially meaningful. In an academic environment where so much of our creative work happens behind screens, I wanted to step away from the digital and return to something simpler.
My goal was to build the foundation of this campaign entirely through physical media by ripping, layering, printing, and assembling by hand. This hands-on process not only helped with the natural themes of the project but also served as a reminder of what many of us are missing: real-world interaction, outdoor exploration, and sensory engagement.
Deliverables
- Installation
- Posters
- Wares
Installation
Posters
Wares
Tee Shirt
Toque
Tote
Reflection
As a fourth-year student, my goal was not just to complete a project, but to plant the seeds for something that could grow long after I graduated. Woo Nature was created as the foundation for a future outdoors collective at Emily Carr University . One that encourages students to step outside, connect with the natural world, and find inspiration beyond the walls of the classroom. I truly hope this initiative leaves a lasting impression and continues to evolve, inviting future generations to embrace the beauty and opportunities that lie just beyond our windows.
I also hope this work sparks a larger conversation that inspires the university itself to more deeply reflect on the incredible natural environment in which it’s located.
I want to sincerely thank my classmates and professors for their valuable insights and encouragement throughout this process. And most of all, I’m deeply grateful to my parents for their unwavering support throughout my entire educational journey.
Thanks Mum, Thanks Dad.
