Lecture 5

(Print-screen of the footprint calculator)

Andy Stevenson in Lecture 5 highlighted that there is no exact definition of sustainability, it is in fact down to personal opinion, this opinion can be influenced by the individuals lifestyle, thus indicating that although some of us may believe we are living an eco-friendly lifestyle, we may not be. To illustrate his point the lecturer asked us to take a 5 minute questionnaire on the WWF website (http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/) which determines how big our environmental footprint is. My living habits suggested that if everyone lived my lifestyle we would require 2.01 planets, this was a major shock especially considering my score was one of the most sustainable behind 3 other students in our class, the worst score an individual achieved in our lecture was 4 whole planets.

(Print-screen of my carbon footprint planet result)

To emphasise both the wastefulness of society as well as the importance/potential of sustainable design we watched 3 short videos which has supported my understanding of the module, I have wrote about all 3 below...

Video 1 - The Story of Stuff (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM) 

('The Story of Stuff')

Have you ever given a thought to where your ‘stuff’ came from and where your ‘stuff’ will go when you replace it? If not, then this is something that us, as consumers, need to begin considering, as inhibitors of this planet (and thus its resources) we have an obligation to care for and protect environmental health, something which unfortunately we are not doing to the extent that is required. 

Like people in over 80% of Countries today, I live in a society that operates on a Capitalist Economy, Capitalism revolves around private companies and individuals rather than governments. Within this free market system, both the individuals and the companies own or utilise the resources required to manufacture goods or provide services; these include land and other natural resources, labour and capital such as factories, equipment and money.

Capitalism promotes private economic choices, companies can select what to produce and how much they will charge for their products, and as a consumer I can decide how to earn an income and (to some extent) what I will spend it on. The more I spend the better it is for not only the companies manufacturing the goods, but additionally the government, in the UK nearly two thirds of economic activity is accounted for by Consumer spending. 

The methodology in which we use during product manufacturing and disposal results in a substantial percentage of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. Stuff moves through a system known as the Materials Economy – a linear system operating on a finite planet, each step in the process it has to operate and interact within the human and natural environment. There are 5 stages in this process, these are... 

1. Extraction 
2. Production 
3. Distribution 
4. Consumption 
5. Disposal 

Stage 1 = Extraction 

The first stage is the extraction of resources needed; at the present rate of consumption, mining, destruction of forests and polluting has consumed one third of the planets natural resource space in just the past three decades. In the Amazon 2,000 trees are lost every minute, 80% of the earths original forests have now disappeared, as well as the organisms and animals inhabiting those forests. 

(Amazon) 

(Wood Extraction) 

(Extraction/mining of raw materials) 

Extraction leads to resources being moved to Production (Stage 2).

Stage 2 = Production 

When utilising energy, toxic chemicals are mixed with the naturally extracted resources to create contaminated products. At present over 100,000 synthetic chemicals are used within Production, however little research has been carried out on the synergistic health impacts of mixing these chemicals (http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-flame-retardants-house-dustunsafe.html). 

Chemicals such as brominated flame retardants are everywhere, used in settees, mattresses, pillows, electrical appliances and computers, these chemicals automatically build up in the human body; one of the highest concentrations of toxins found within the human body is in breast milk, which mothers directly unknowingly feed to their newborn babies. 

However, the most at risk are the factory workers who physically work with these chemicals, many within the poorer countries of the world. Globally 200,000 people a day move from their local communities to live in slums to find work, many of who are young women of reproductive age, and who end up working with carcinogens and reproductive toxins. 

Production leads to Distribution

Stage 3 = Distribution 

Manufacturers need to keep their inventory moving, consumers look for the best value, so prices are kept as low as possible to ensure that their products will be consumed. It's blatantly obvious...everyone loves a sale. 

This is done by externalising costs, neither the buyer nor the seller picks up the true costs of the production of goods. One of the best examples of these negative costs is the pollution of the environment and the health impacts to the local communities .......none of these costs appears on a financial ledger. 

Distribution leads to Consumption

Stage 4 = Consumption 

Our primary identity and one which the government measures is how much we consume and how much we contribute to the economy, to ensure that we spend as much as possible advertisements and sales are constantly thrust in front of us in an attempt to brainwash us into purchasing more novelty items that we potentially don't need. 

Consumption leads to disposal.

Stage 5 = Disposal 

But how much of the stuff we buy ends up as waste?

1. 'The United States - 760 kgs per person, per year.
2. Australia - 690 kgs per person, per year. 
3. Denmark - 660 kgs per person, per year. 
4. Switzerland - 650 kgs per person, per year. 
5. Canada - 640 kgs per person, per year. 
6. Norway - 620 kgs per person, per year. 
7. Netherlands - 610 kgs per person, per year. 
8. Austria - 560 kgs per person, per year. 
9. United Kingdom - 560 kgs per person, per year. 
10. Ireland - 560 kgs per person, per year. 
11. Belgium - 550 kgs per person, per year. 
12. Germany - 540 kgs per person, per year.  
13. France - 510 kgs per person, per year. 
14. Italy - 500 kgs per person, per year. 
15. Finland - 460 kgs per person, per year. 
16. Sweden - 450 kgs per person, per year. 
17. Japan - 410 kgs per person per year. 

Total - 9,730 kgs per person, per year. 
Weighted Average - 572.4 kgs per person, per year.'

http://greenanswers.com/question/what-countries-produce-most-trash/

And why is so much of our stuff disposed of?

Strategies that have been implemented to ensure that consumers continue to shop are planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence. Planned obsolescence are products that are built to have only a specific life time or are manufactured so that replacement parts make the product too costly to repair, electrical appliances are a good example, it is now frequently cheaper to dump an appliance than to pay for the parts and labour required for it to be repaired. Perceived obsolescence is now a part of the throwaway culture of society otherwise known as fashion. Fashion changes, so objects that are still perfectly functional are discarded for newer models and up to date styles, and this is all in order for us to maintain our current and social standing. 

Work – Watch – Spend that’s the mantra of modern society.

So should we change our habits...yes, obviously. 

The Linear system needs to be changed – we need a system based on clean production, recyclable and renewable resource use, green chemistry and zero waste. We need to become more sustainable, people created the way we live today; people need to change how they think and put pressure on governments that allow those to misuse the environment and the ecology.

TED Talk with Layla Acaroglu 'Paper Beats Plastic' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L4B-Vpvx1A)

(Paper Beats Plastic) 

Below are the Notes I took whilst watching the film

• Most people would chose a paper bag over a plastic bag. 
• Eco-materials = everything at some point comes from the environment. 
• Environmental folklore. 
• We live in complex systems, we need to learn to join these together. 
• We need to learn to do more with less. 
• Biodegradability = when natural products break down they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, however when man-made products are buried in a landfill site they release methane. Methane is 25x more toxic than carbon dioxide. 
• Fridge = fridges keep getting bigger, thus making us buy more food in order to fill them even if we don't need it all, this means that more food goes to waste. 
• Kettles = Extremely popular in the UK, we have a habit of boiling more water than we require, resulting in us more energy. 
• Consumption is the biggest issue but design offers the best solutions. 
• There are only a few materials you should completely avoid, it's more about how you use them. 

Ted Talk with Eben Bayer 'Are Mushrooms the New Plastic?' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmDENxTPn8Q)

(Are Mushrooms the New Plastic?) 

Below are the Notes I took whilst watching the film 

• Styrofoam = extremely bad but highly used. It's not compatible with the environment as it doesn't biodegrade. 
• We need to cut the amount of energy we use in production. 
• In nature mushrooms are the recycling system. 
• Mycelium is an amazing natural product resultant from mushrooms. 
• Packaging grows itself, is biodegradable and has the same material properties as bad materials such as plastics and polystyrene. 

(More research has been done on mushroom packing and will be posted in the next blog post). 

Designs with Write-Ups

The Bag For Life

(Mini Designs of the 'Bag for Life')

(Large Scale Favourite Design out of the 'Bag for Life' Mini Designs)

The Tray

(Mini Designs of The Tray)

(Large Scale Favourite Design out of the 'Tray' Mini Designs)

(Mini Designs of The Liquid Container)

 (Large Scale Favourite Design out of the 'Liquid Container' Mini Designs) 

 

Initial Ideas Spiderdiagram

(Spiderdiagram - see sketchbook) 

I chose to convey my initial/instinctive response to the brief through a 'spiderdiagram' as I find this method of producing alternative ideas highly effective, additionally its layout provides an uncomplicated way of following specific thought processes thus making it easier to locate favourate concepts and potential design features.

The spiderdiagram enabled me to establish 3 specific design ideas which are presented below, in order of preferance, with a brief bullet-pointed description identifying its secondary use, its key features and how it works...

1) The Liquid Container - (My 3rd Idea, Favourite Idea)

• Shape - Cylindrical.
• Made From - Biodegradable Plastic.
• When Utilised Initially as Packaging (Primary Purpose) - Holds each individual bottle seperately to avoid the bottles crashing into each other during transportation. 
• Secondary Purpose -You remove the bottle, open it and it acts as a 'glass' and you can drink directly from the packaging. It also promotes renewability through regrowth.

This is my favourite concept as it encompasses a secondary purpose that not only can be utilised on an everyday basis, to put it briefly, it physically relates appropriately to the product. Additionally, it utilises 100% of the packaging within its secondary use, which, when its discarded enables the Earth to break it down, thus, reinforcing a natural life cycle. As the product biodegrades it automatically plants apple seeds that are within the biodegradable plastic which will make the consumer feel as if they are giving something back to the environment. I feel that this withholds the most potential for a successful multi-use packaging that is both elegant and practically functional, currently it is the one concept that excites me the most.

2) The Tray - (My 2nd Idea, 2nd Favourite Idea)

• Shape - Rectangular/Square. 
• Made From - 100% Recycled Cardboard. 
• When Utilised Initially as Packaging (Primary Purpose) - Stores all 6 bottles in one piece of packaging, has a cut out window either side of the box to elegantly display the bottles labels.
• Secondary Purpose - Top of the box is removed (splits into plates), part of the sides fold down to provide small shelves for things like lemon and lime wedges etc (goes with the drink), the windows are the handles to carry the tray. 

This is my 2nd favourite concept as it does somewhat relate to the product being sold (i.e. utilising the tray to carry the drinks over to your friends on a hot summers day), similarly to the Liquid Container idea it advertises the possibility of green thinking, highlighting just one of a diverse range of ways in which you can manipulate elements such as packaging to have secondary uses.

3) 'The Bag for Life' - (My 1st Idea, 3rd/Least Favourite Idea)

•  Shape - Square (the average box/bag shape). 
• Made From - 100% Recycled Cardboard and Hessiun. 
• When Utilised Initially as Packaging (Primary Purpose) - Stores all 6 bottles together, has an interlocking cardboard structure that holds each bottle in place, the outer box packaging has a window cut out which advertises the bags simple yet elegant design. The handles of the bag fit through 2 openings in the box enabling the consumer to carry the product and its contents with ease.
• Secondary Purpose - The outer box packaging is removed and discarded along with the inner cardboard bottle seperator, the hessiun bag can then be reused elsewhere, reducing the consumers reliance on plastic carrier bags when out shopping. 

This is my 3rd/least favourite idea out of my top 3 concepts as it doesn't utilise the entirity of the packaging, additionally, when researching it is prominent that the 'Bag for Life' has already been incorporated into the shopping community through large companies such as Tesco. Acknowledging this factor, I resultantly feel that if I was to proceed with this concept, I wouldn't be 'expanding' or 'exploring' the potential of this brief. 

About the Hobsons Brewery

Located in Shropshire and established by the Davis family in 1993, Hobsons Brewery is potentially the most sustainable brewery currently running in the UK. They withhold strong philosophies that influences the utilisation of both sustainable technologies (i.e. wind turbines) and locally sourced ingredients, with the intent of producing beverages (i.e. beer and cider) of outstanding quality whilst additionally benefitting the environment in the process. Their ethos embraces the following ideologies (http://www.hobsons-brewery.co.uk/culture.aspx)...

• "Locally Sourced - Committed to using locally sourced ingredients where ever possible.
• Authentic - Unique beers are a result of the unique way we approach our business and brewing.
• Trustworthy - Committed to the highest, honest and ethical standards of business and brewing.
• Targeted - Business and brewing with our customer in mind.
• Innovative - Strive to look for new ideas and technologies to aid our business. 
• Environmental - Committed to working toward sustainable and regenerative practices."

Both Worcester University and The Hobsons Brewery has offered an exciting brief for us to attempt, the potential for alternative renewable packaging concepts is vast and I believe that my advancement through this module will reveal a small percentage of what this particular area of green design has to offer. Prior research in this blog has already influenced my primary ideas and as I progress my understanding will continue to develop.

The Hobsons Brewery's almanac (http://www.hobsons-brewery.co.uk/media/8684/hobsons_almanac%202009.pdf) states, "whatever we do, we will always strive for best practice in our brewing and our production", this ideology is prominent when you acknowledge their renewable effort as well as their physical products. Their bottles of cider and beer are beautifully presented, with the label detailings contributing a rustic charm that transports the consumers imagination to a picturesque rural landscape on a warm summers day. The qualities which both the brewery and its products incorporates into its overall identity is an element I will be taking into consideration when I am designing.

(Sharing the Hobsons Hat) 


Finally upon observing the Hobsons website I find that their utilisation of sustainable thinking into their practices is both innovative and efficacious, here is a copy of their webpage entitles 'Our vision is to become the country's leading sustainable brewery' (http://www.hobsons-brewery.co.uk/culture/siba-best-green-business-.aspx), which I have personally highlighted (highlighted key points within their statement).

"Sustainability has become an increasingly important part of what we do at Hobsons and over the past couple of years we have strived to reduce our effect on the environment by embracing sustainable technologies and harnessing the environmental assets where we live. In 2010 we took a step closer and won the SIBA Best Green Business award, being recognised for our comprehensive sustainability package.

Our Sustainable thinking ...

At Hobsons we don't just follow others when it comes to sustainability we also create innovative solutions where there were originally barriers. For example when we were told there were no technologies to simultaneously heat our bottle conditioning room and cool our barrel store utilising a ground source heat pump system we designed our own solution. For the past three years we have created an imaginative yet environmentally efficient system that recovers heat from the cold store return. Four boreholes were sunk providing a constant 11°C of water that is then compressed for heat or cooling or both, it is so effective that we now heat the offices using the same system.

To enhance the efficiency of the ground source heat pump we installed an 11kw GAIA Wind turbine, a pretty twin blade design that powers about a third of the brewery's requirements. When the turbine is used to power the compressors that provide heating/cooling from the boreholes a super efficient system is created.

We have installed a rainwater harvesting system to capture surplus rainwater from the extensive roofs of our barrel and bottle store and utilise this grey water for vehicle washing, general wash-down, hand wash and toilet flushing.

As well as large-scale technologies we have also embraced small changes that all contribute to sustaining our environment. Amongst these changes are the introduction of light weight beer bottles that have reduced our packaging waste. We are also working with the Design Council on new ideas for recycling and producing packaging and fabric from spent grains and hops.
All of the technologies we have introduced are working hard to reduce our environmental impact and to date we have made a reduction of 17.5 tonnes of C02 waste.

Whatever we do, we will always strive for best practice in our brewing and bottling processes and we will continue to be innovative in the ways in which we support our environment." 

Examples of Hobsons Brewery Packaging = 

Lecture 4 - Client Brief

Below is the brief provided to us for this modules project, overall I am automatically excited and already have some concepts on designs. 


Key
        = Requirements 
        = Facts 
        = Quotes 
        = Names


Cider product manager Alison Chadwick from Oldfields orchard Cider (Hobsons Brewery) and independent packaging consultant Simon Harris came to help deliver this year's sustainable packaging brief.

























The brief is essentially to research, develop and design working creative concepts to redefine their existing 6x bottle carrying packs. These packs need to be flexible so they can carry a mix of either cider or beer bottles. Students were asked to work within the company's branding guidelines and colour schemes but to arrive at 'blue sky' thinking solutions to a sustainable packaging re-design. Their packagers presently use standard systems which incorporate (some) glueing but are very keen to look at what can be done with other materials and formats along with little or no glue use and sustainable inks. Each pack is required to have a clear re-use after it has delivered and protected the bottles to their destination.

Hobsons Brewery prides itself on being a sustainable business - having strong commitments to both the local sourcing of materials and ingredients. In addition, they're part-powered at the brewery by their own wind turbine on site so they generate their own energy too. Cider Product Manager Alison explained in relation to the brief: "Sustainable packaging is a great fit with our ethos at Hobsons and we are really looking forward to hearing the students' ideas about how we can encourage re-use of our gift packs after the beer and cider has been enjoyed. We are keen to develop the ideas hand in hand with the students and feel that we will benefit as much as they will from the whole process". Alison also added that this brief is both wholly real and professional-level and one that they would ordinarily give out their own designers.

Senior Lecturer in Design Andy Stevenson added "I'm really excited about the link with Hobsons Brewery and Oldfields Orchard Cider. As Alison says, it's both a 'live' and entirely realistic sustainable packaging project, which is fantastic for the students to be part of. With luck our guys will get both some further experience working with 'live' client's wants - as well as the opportunity to design some unique, funky and creative sustainable packaging solutions that can potentially go in their portfolios too". 

One of more of the successful student designs may be taken further forwards by Hobsons/Oldfields Orchard if they like the ideas produced eventually. If so, then that student (or students) will be offered the opportunity of being involved in that further process should they wish. Design student Lauren Mills who is working on the brief said "I'm really delighted to be working on this professional level sustainable packaging brief for Hobsons Brewery and Oldfields Orchard Cider. I believe working in this area of sustainable design will be a unique and valuable experience for me. It also enables me to work once more on a 'live' brief with real potential. I'm really positive too about being able to work for a client with genuine requirements and this has ignited a new challenge for me."

This project could be the source of some excellent 'live' portfolio work for all students involved. We're also hoping that it will provide an opportunity to have a polished 3D sustainable packaging artifact that could be part of their final degree show displays too if they wish.

Task 4 PDF and Response

GDES3003'Green'Design – Session'04

Session Task 4 Base Materials – Use and Re:Use 

Task in pairs.

Overview

The paper we deal with nowadays comes in fairly predictable forms – A4 printer paper, sketch books, newspapers etc. Over history though, both paper and other base materials (wood, plastic and metals etc) have been used for a vast range of uses. To help us better understand some of these uses and to see how these materials have subsequently been re:utilised (via recycling etc) we’re asking you in pairs to do the following:

Allotted times:
15mins Research, 15mins PPT Prep, 5 mins Presentation (we’ll choose 2 or more randomly ‘out of a hat’ – it could be yours so make it as clear as you can!).

Examples of creative re:use or unusual materials uses:

•Shigeru Ban architects

http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com/works.html#paper:tube:structure

•Milk bottle lamps

http://www.droog.com/webshop/lighting/milk:bottle:lamp/

•Recycled plastic seating etc:

http://marmaxproducts.co.uk/Furniture

Your tasks

1. From the blog/zip archive locate your chosen material’s scanned ‘TIMELINE’ [taken from the Thames and Hudson Book ‘Readymade’].

2. Choose FOUR points on the chosen materials timeline that best illustrate the flexibility of your chosen material.

3. Research TWO examples of your chosen material being used in a NEW or INNOVATIVE way that’s NOT on the existing timeline [i.e. recycled or in product design, architecture, furniture design etc] and be able to describe this in your presentation.

4. Your ppt presentation’s structure must have an ‘Intro/Overview’, then [research findings] and then a ‘summing-up/outro’.

Considerations
•Visual references can often speak volumes in presentations – try to balance pictures and text on your slides.
•Try to give an impression of how effective [or not] the modern day uses of your chosen material is – if not effective then why & how might this be improved?
•Use Google images to search for ‘quick fix’ visuals and pictures to add to your ppt.
•If in doubt – ask questions!

Response 

As this blog won't allow me to post my presentation for Task 4 I have printed screenshots and glued them into my sketchbook.

Task 3

Newton Running:

Properties = 

• Produced from 100% recycled pulp from egg cartons.
• Packaging eliminates any need for extra protection (i.e. from tissue paper) as the container molds around the shoes. 
• Shoes are able to be stacked as the containers are automatically reinforced due to the tightly molded packaging. 
• Newton Runners pad out the shoes with usable products like socks and bags, contributing a secondary purpose to the packaging style. 
• The packaging however potentially requires some visual improvements as although the shoes are bright, the container in which they sit isn't exactly inviting. 

http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/shoebox-is-100-recycled-but-wait-theres-more.html

Omni Clip: 

Properties = 

• Made of 100% recycled PETG materials, thus implying that it can be either reused or recycled. 
• Due to a very simplistic design, it automatically eliminates the need of elements such as shoe boxes, tissue paper, plastic bags etc. 
• The packaging has multiple uses, such as maintaining the quality of the shoes that you purchase, air is allowed to flow freely around the shoes, thus retaining their condition...making them last longer.
• Made a reduction in production costs, enables people to physically see the shoes better (instead of them being shoved in a box). 
• It produces 11-12 times less rubbish than the average shoe box - environmentally friendly. 
• Innovative design  however, it would be increasingly difficult to stack these, they would need to be hung instead of stacked. 

http://www.adesignaward.com/design.php?ID=29111

Puma's 'Clever Little Bag': 

Properties = 

• Made from recycled polypropylene and is designed to be reusable - secondary use. 
• The bags primary use is to act as a top for the box, thus, holding the shoes in place.
• Puma's design contributed a substantial amount of savings, these included...

1. 8,500 million tons of paper was saved, resultant of them utilising 65% less cardboard in their packaging. 
2. 20 million megajoules of energy saved.
3. Reduction of 1 million liters of water.  
4. Reduction of carbon dioxide by 10,000 tons. 

• Puma's packaging is a remarkable example of how a product can be adapted to produce a larger amount of benefits to the environment whilst maintaining a visually successful design that additionally benefits the consumer.  

http://blog.shawcontractgroup.com/pumas-clever-little-bag-makes-sustainable-impact/

Timberland 'Earthkeepers':  

Properties = 

• Made from 100% recycled materials (i.e. cardboard). 
• Earthkeepers shoe box possesses elements which are fold-able, thus enabling easier storage whilst promoting re-usability. 
• Incorporates a simplistic design that is both rustic and elegant, once again advertising it's re-usability and it's environmental benefits. 
• The packaging is smart and withholds a secondary use as a carrying case, making it desirable and innovative. 

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timberland-earthkeepers-shoebox

My Concept and Supporting Designs:

My concept is that the shoe/boot box can be swiftly adapted to form a shoe stand which can be utilised either within shops in which they are sold or at home by the consumer. The shoe box obtains the form of a triangle as I believe that this utilises the maximum amount of space physically possible (in comparison to a regular rectangular shoe box) thus contributing a decreasing in materials required in manufacturing it whilst additionally reducing the cost of production (see sketchbook for further explanation). 

 (Diagrams of my comparison between the average rectangular shoe box and my triangular adaptation)

The triangular concept was inspired by research on ARCADIA's tea bags (see the 'Research on Renewable Materials/Natural Packaging blog post) which consists of 4 mini triangles that fit together to create a larger pyramid.

 (ARCADIA's Tea Bags)




By making the shoe boxes triangular you are able to make the product not only easy to stack but additionally simple to transport as they are resultantly able to be fitted together to when transportation is required (see sketchbook for suppporting diagram).

 (Diagrams of the interlocking shoe boxes and the shoe boxes stacked - see sketchbook)

The visual design utilises a small quantity of renewable ink with green, blue and black being the only colours displayed on the packaging, the writing is presented in the font 'Gabriola' and in the colour green, both of these title elements, combined with the slogan 'Green Walkers' emphasises the packagings environmental focus.




































(Front face Design - front of shoe box)

(Green Walkers Design Close-Up)  

 (The 'Gabriola' font that the slogan Green Walkers will be written in)

Located on the side of the box (one the left side of the handle) is the small statement 'Re-use Me', (again in 'Gabriola font' and in the colour green) it possesses the aim of prompting the consumer to notice the products reusability, additionally, (on the right side of the handle) are two small black foot prints however these are merely for simplistic decoration. 

(Front view of the shoe box holding the shoes - you can see the side features) 

(Close-up of the side features on the shoe box) 

(The 'Gabriola font that the slogan Re-use Me will be written in) 

Finally, the inside of the box the 'Re-thinking Design' slogan supported by a miniature world advertises the potential of innovative green design, a design that is readily available for other companies to utilise on their packaging as a way of promoting their renewable/environmentally friendly policies and concerns. The box would be constructed from 100% recycled cardboard or paperboard thus making it lightweight, furthermore it's earthy natural colour contributes a beautifully natural main colour implying that the shoe box would not require any 'background' colour. 

 

(Front view of the design and the overall shoe box without the shoes - the draw string is no longer part of the design as you will later see in the main drawing further down this blog post it's been adapted to a side handle) 

(Close-up of the design)

Screenshots of the current designs in my Sketchbook = 

(Page 1)



































(Page 2)




































(Page 3)

Task 3 PDF

GDES3003 Green Graphic Design

Task 03:

Design a theoretical prototype multi use shoe/trainer/boot box in your layout pads for your journal blogs (sketches which then go on your blogs + notes) that will use ‘recycled’ or ‘natural’ materials only.

1. You are asked to research the area of shoe/boot packaging. Specifically boxes that use a combination of recycled goods –or- natural materials in some way. These boxes will need to both easy to transport and stack together. They must also protect and provide a suitable secondary use for the packaging after transportation to the purchaser’s home/it’s primary use.

2. The display must be planned and visualised in colour on paper and then shown on your blogs with your notes* they must be clear enough so that your learning team will understand your ideas when I instruct them to look at each other’s blogs and comment.

3. You must be able to list the various benefits* of your idea to your learning team on your blog next to your imagery.

Considerations:
• Firstly – keep it simple. It must be a simple, elegant design that isn't too complicated to assemble (or maybe take apart for a 2nd use).
• In terms of elements shown on the boxes, there must be both a clear title, explanation text, imagery/illustration or photos etc.
• The size of the box is dependent on the solution you think best.
• No glue is to be used – you may have to think about other more inventive (ideally natural) ways to fasten objects/artwork to the box's sides.
• How might you create an effective package – but still lessen or minimise materials and/or resources use in your ideas?
• Why not think a little more laterally – i.e. origami possibly?
• All text used must have a clear visual hierarchy [min a title, sales bullet points and markers details.

Andy Stevenson, 2014

Nike Research

Nike Strategy - “THERE IS NO FINISH LINE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS – WE CAN ALWAYS GO FURTHER”

In 1995 Nike introduced a new trainer box that was 100% recyclable.

Constructed from corrugated cardboard, this was the single largest material that the Company purchased, and accounted for nearly half of all Nike packaging. To reduce both cost and waste Nike’s Designers went back to the drawing board with the challenge to engineer a new box which used less materials and would be both recycled, recyclable, lighter in weight, constructed from less material and stronger
With the launch of the new box in 2011, Nike has estimated an annual saving of 200,000 trees or 12,000 metric tons of cardboard.





Visit the following websites to learn more of Nike’s Green thinking –

http://www.nikebiz.com/crreport/content/environment/4-7-0-case-study-rethink-the-box.php

http://www.businesstoday-eg.com/case-studies/case-studies/the-swoosh-goes-green-environment-sustainability-proposal-by-nike.html

http://www.nikebiz.com/crreport/content/environment/4-7-0-case-study-rethink-the-box.php

Research on Renewable Materials/Natural Packaging

More people are becoming aware of the planets current environmental situation and are subsequently executing changes in an attempt to make a reduction in the amount of negative impacts we have on our planet. However, as identified in the previous post, it has become inarguably prominent that we all need to make the necessary sacrifices in order to contribute a difference...a requirement which is currently not completely being achieved. For example, the ideology of our populous switching to electrical cars is an environmentally valuable concept, however, somewhat impractical if you persist in enabling petrol heads/boy racers to unnecessarily burn fossil fuels at makeshift drag races at an alarming rate...you cannot have half a populous make sacrifices and the other half not, it would be counter-productive as the negative impact would most likely cancel out the positive.



One method of advertising a greener lifestyle is through altering the types of materials utilised in the process of mass-production, some companies are beginning to change from synthetic to more natural and renewable resources. The utilisation of natural/renewable materials automatically offers an increasingly favourable approach to production, as the product resultant of the process often witholds idealistic components that is environmentally more beneficial. Biodegradability and re-useability are just two of these components, and they are increasingly being incorporated into our modern day packaging, as the New York Times indicates below (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/business/energy-environment/12sustain.html?_r=0)...

"Around the globe, a growing number of manufacturers are including more recyclable or biodegradable components into products. Companies making changes run the gamut — there are furniture makers, carpet manufacturers, clothing retailers and makers of shampoos and household cleaners. And with big-box retailers like Wal-Mart joining in, industry analysts say the sustainable philosophy is no longer viewed as the province of high-end sellers like Nike or Herman Miller, the furniture maker. In 2008 alone, American consumers doubled their spending on sustainable products and services to an estimated $500 billion, according to a survey that polled more than a 1,000 people by Penn Schoen Berland Associates, a market research firm that studies the green economy." 

Throughout history we have utilised natural materials to create a variation of different products, however, our advancement in both technology and ingenuity has resulted in a consumerist obsession, this has thus seen the introduction of man-made alternatives that apparently boasts superiority. An increase in the production and the request for unnecessary novelty items has led to a complete disregard towards any impact we subsequently have on the environment. Research has been increasingly focalised around the development of man made modern materials and the technology in which they are produced, however, in recent years natural materials are beginning to be re-introduced as a viable alternative to our synthetic options.

"Because the packaging industry uses such a vast range of materials across a multitude of applications and technologies, it has the opportunity to benefit from increasing pressure to use environmental and sustainable materials. Increasing demand from governments, international organisations and society to use sustainable and environmentally friendly materials is forcing many industries to reconsider the enormous wealth of natural materials available for use in a variety of everyday applications. Combining the innate properties of natural materials with modern technological advances will enable the development of totally new and innovative products." Description taken from the following website, http://www.woolcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Natural-Materials-article.pdf.



Additionally, companies are beginning to understand the importance of acknowledging the environmental impact that their products have, we're recognizing that natural materials are available and work just as well as some synthetic alternatives. The ideology of sustainability is becoming ever-present in the selections made by businesses, new laws are making companies entirely responsible for their products sustainability. We have began encouraging our industries to make a reduction in the utilisation of finite resources, it is this encouragement combined with necessary industrial, social and environmental education that is imperative if we are to create a stimulus towards natural materials that reinforces knowledge, alters perceptions and influences recognition.

"The packaging industry as a whole should embrace the opportunities that the sustainability issues offer by researching, developing and commercialising natural materials for packaging applications. Their rediscovery will give packaging technologists wider scope for innovative solutions that challenge the position of existing man-made alternatives.". Description taken from the following website, http://www.woolcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Natural-Materials-article.pdf.

Examples of Renewable Materials in Products and Natural Packaging = 

Vim Popcorn Packaging:


Designed by: Diana Chirilas for Blue Marlin Sydney 2011.
Designed for: Vim

The Vim popcorn packaging is a unique concept that boasts sophistication and refinement, it's soft colours and prominent writing contribute a pleasing visual that successfully advertises the product. The packaging's 'green' and innovative design helps to appeal towards its target audience of snackers who are not only environmentally concerned but additionally health conscious. This is additionally due to the fact that the packaging enables the consumer to freely decide how much of the popcorn they wish to eat.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vim-popcorn

ARCADIA Organic Tea Packaging:

Designed by: Gabe Re
Designed for: Arcadia

Personally I love the concept and overall design of this organic tea packaging, it directly conveys that a beautiful and delicate product can be achieved from utilising an eco-friendly mindset. It's design is low cost, consisting of simple origami-style folds created on a single piece of green paper, these folds fit together encasing the product and thus revealing a complete floral pattern that details the entirety of the packaging. The pattern is presented on the green paper through the methodology of lacquer transfer, this elaborate pattern looks increasingly elegant especially when the finished products comes together in a set of four, if the pyramids are placed back to back they create a larger pyramid...a charming design that emanates finesse.

http://www.packagingdesignarchive.org/archive/pack_details/1677-arcadia-organic-tea

Askinosie Chocolate Packaging:

 

Designed by: Element Eleven & Kristina Sacci (one of the designers).
Designed for: Askinosie Chocolate

The Askinosie chocolate company pride themselves in establishing good fair-trade standards as well as having great rapport with their cocoa farmers, both elements that they attempt to convey through the concepts of their packaging. The packaging itself, physically looks environmentally friendly, their utilisation of natural materials is distinctly prominent within their designs, additionally their designs possess an aging feel with the majority of their packaging is seemingly reminiscent of military supplies. This style of design is both simplistic, beautiful and natural; it is this natural element that is somewhat reflective of the companies cocoa farmers, thus providing the packaging with an additional rustic and 'green' appeal.

http://lovelypackage.com/askinose-chocolate/

Mommy Francis Packaging:




Designed by: A design studio (based on the South Coast of England) known as 'ilovedust'.
Designed for: Georgia-based restaurant known as 'Mommy Francis'.

I believe that the overall packaging is simple but is stunningly enhanced by a unique eye-catching design reflective of traditional home cooking and American restaurants in the 1920's. The alternative variations of the packaging has resulted in a collection of alternative packaging that is both environmentally beneficial and visually intriguing. The most impressive physical element of the packaging, I find, is the lids of the take-away cups, instead of being created from typical PVC plastic, they feature a biodegradable material that simply resembles plastic but is eco-friendly.

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2009/6/5/mommy-francis.html

360 Paper Bottle - The Recycled Paper Bottle Packaging:

360 Paper Bottle - The Recycled Paper Bottle Packaging

Designed by: Jim Warner
Designed for: Brandimage

Although I believe that the visual design could be improved the overall concept is extremely innovative, made entirely from renewable materials, specifically bamboo or palm leaves, the bottle offers an alternative to the common plastic water bottles that generally have a negative impact for the environment. If this concept was a little more refined in visual design, personally, I see this product as an extremely possible solution to making a reduction on our environmental impact.

"Made with 90-95% reduction of polymer, the single-serve water bottle is made from two pieces which are fused together by a micro-thin PLA (polylactic acid) which provides a liquid and air barrier. Rather than being unscrewed, the lid is peeled off and separated. One half becomes a drinking unit which is plug-fitted into the bottle to keep the bottle dust-free. The other half is attached to a finger loop and is used to re-seal the bottle. The manufacturing process allows the bottles to be produced in a single line. They can then be bundled together in a group of six or more and can be carried as one unit by the finger loops. Therefore, additional packaging can be eliminated. The bottles can also be prepared for shipping in large groups of four, using eco-friendly material, without having to use further outer packaging." Description taken from the following website, http://www.gizmag.com/360-paper-water-bottle/11927/.

Starbucks Recycled Mugs:



Designed by: Starbucks
Designed for: Starbucks

Personally, I love these Starbuck's recyclable mugs as they convey an environmental unity between product and packaging, this is due to the fact that not only is the mug environmentally friendly but the packaging is also. These ceramic mugs are produced in a zero-waste factory in Japan, they reuse/recycle the clay from old unwanted mugs and dishes; they are reinvented into sleek, gorgeous and inspiring mugs that are held within renewable recycled paper packaging. With uplifting words such as 'renew' and 'reinvent' presented on the mugs it is understandable how this product overall possess a refreshed respect for natural resources.