as coronavirus (COVID-19) makes headlines across the globe, designers and artists are picking up their drawing tools to come up with innovative ideas to alleviate the situation. with the need for varying degrees of social distancing advised by health experts, los-angeles based architect michael jantzen has thrown his hat into the ring with his ‘social distancing aids’ photo art project, which proposes a real world support in the fight against the virus.

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

a gathering of people wearing their social distancing aids

all images courtesy of michael jantzen

 

 

the project comprises a series of conceptual images that suggest how we may be living in the near future as we avoid either spreading or contracting the virus by safely distancing ourselves from one another. although somewhat tongue in cheek, the proposal by jantzen is in fact based on a large degree of practicality.

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

mike and ellen on a corporate campus

 

 

the small structures would be made of lightweight plastic and designed in the form of four large connected collapsible rings, placed over the wearer’s head and held in place with two vertical supports that rest on the user’s shoulders. a fifth smaller ring is connected at the center to the perimeter of the lower large ring. this ring helps to hold the entire assemblage in place side to side around the wearer’s legs.

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

linda and claire in the park

 

 

this fantasy photo series presents a number of different people of various ages, wearing the social distancing aids in different environments. some of these people are featured alone, and some are featured with others who are also wearing the aids. in most cases, the people wearing the aids are shown in contrast with other people who are not wearing the social distancing aids.

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

mark in the park

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

claire on the plaza

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

mark at the restaurant

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

mary in the mall

michael jantzen proposes 'social distancing aids' made from four collapsible rings designboom

bill at the mall

 

 

project info:

 

project name: social distancing aids

design: michael jantzen

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom