THE BUG KIT | MAJOR PROJECT (2025)
Client: Edinburgh Napier University
Gen Z is facing unprecedented levels of stress and mental health challenges. The Bug Kit offers a simple, grounded way to step outside, slow down, and reconnect—with nature, and with ourselves.
Insects are one of the most common sources of fear: nearly 40% of phobias are related to insects and arachnids. And yet, less than 1% of these species pose any real threat to humans. The Bug Kit is designed to challenge those fears through hands-on learning and exploration, replacing anxiety with understanding.
What’s inside?
Each kit includes a thoughtfully designed set of tools to help users get started:
A field guide to local insects
A magnifying glass for close observation
Trivia cards to keep you on your toes
Poppy seeds to bring insects to your backyard
A t-shirt for a personal touch
Why Gen Z?
This generation is informed, curious, and deeply aware of both mental health and environmental issues. The Bug Kit speaks to that mindset—encouraging meaningful experiences in nature and building knowledge that helps reduce fear.
Why San Francisco?
While the idea could live anywhere, I imagine it in San Francisco—the city that raised me. It’s the first in the U.S. where every resident lives within a 10-minute walk of a park. What better place to go bug hunting than a city surrounded by green spaces and rooted in innovation?
