Pathway 2.
Umwelt Exploration

Purpose

Explore how a non-human being perceives and relates to its environment through research and inference.

Time

Quick: 15–30 min

Deep: 1–2 hrs+

Mode

Group

Solo

What is this pathway?

This pathway is grounded in documentation and situated inquiry, helping individuals or teams begin to explore the perceptual world — or Umwelt— of a non-human animal or ecological agent.

Rather than aiming to fully “inhabit” another perspective, it invites a combination of research, imagination, and attuned attention to consider how different beings sense, orient themselves, and relate to their surroundings.

The goal is not to represent another lifeform with accuracy, but to decentre the human viewpoint and open a space for informed speculation and listening.

The pathway offers two possible depths of engagement:

  • A quick and playful approach using a Non-Human Persona template

  • A longer, research-informed logbook method for deeper individual or collaborative inquiry

Objective

To explore the perceptual world (Umwelt) of a non-human animal by shifting perspective and attention. This pathway invites participants to imagine and articulate how another being senses, interprets, and relates to its surroundings. It can be used for short creative workshops or longer, reflective projects.

Structure

1️⃣ Choose between a quick persona exploration or an in-depth logbook format.

2️⃣ Select a non-human being (non human animal, environment, ecological agent..)

3️⃣ Complete the activity individually or with your group

4️⃣ Share results or use them as input for narrative, design, or reflection. This material can also be used to feed into other pathways — such as Pathway 3 (Non-Human Storytelling)


What you’ll get out of it

  • A perceptual map of another being’s world.


  • A character or dossier you can reuse in other exercises.


  • A more detailed sensitivity to ecological, material and sensory diversity.

Materials & Tools

  • Umwelt Log Template

  • Optional: basic internet search / field notes / observational sketching

Optional extensions

  • Revisit the same entity across different contexts (e.g. urban / rural / speculative future)

  • Use the Umwelt log to generate fiction, design prompts, or documentary forms

Pair this pathway with:

  • Pathway 1 (Warm-up) as prelude

  • Pathway 3 (Non-human storytelling) as follow-up

EXERCISES

  1. Quick Exercise: Non-Human Persona Template

Goal: To rapidly sketch the perceptual and behavioural world of a non-human entity.

  1. In-depth Exercise: Divergent Lenses: An Umwelt Log for word-builders

Goal: To gradually map the Umwelt of a non-human animal or ecological agent through research, thoughtful inference, and reflective imagination.