Project 1: Feedback 3

I took Bek's previous comment of how the water was a waste of space, in transportation as well as cost, so I decided to make single use sachets of protein powder. I discussed my idea with Alex and Matt.

Alex liked my new idea and commented on how it addressed my social issue of portion control, and the effective use of space during the transportation process. He brought to light the topic of materials, and what would be appropriate to package protein powder, in regards to shelf life, maintenance of  the quality and durability.

Matt, like Alex, commented on the need for strong research in materials, and their effect on the environment once disposed. He further discussed the aesthetics of the packaging, and who my target market is, which was regularly active men, and how the colour scheme I used may not be appropriate.

Video Reflection B: The Story of Stuff

"You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely"

The Story of Stuff makes clear the global problem of construction, consumption and the disposal of 'stuff'. It reinforced my awareness of the negative effects on our planet by dividing the materials economy into chapters, articulating the problems in each category, extraction. production, distribution, consumption and disposal.

Looking at this from a designer's point of view, as well as an individual, we must take into consideration the products and especially the materials we consume, as it is using up our earth's resources, polluting and destroying the planet among a great number of other things. Furthermore, the video allowed me to understand how everything is linked, from the environmental problems to social issues.

I feel like this video has helped sculpt my design philosophy in the same light as the previous video has, being aware of the number of materials and appropriate type to us.

To surmise.

 - We caused this consumption system, and we can change it, through sustainability, equity and renewable energy, to name a few
 - Consumers are the driving force to this system
 - Awareness is key to changing this system, and necessary to maintain a green environment.

Project 1: Feedback 2

I changed my original concept to address the issue of portion control with protein supplements and over consumption of it. I shared my concept with Bek and Pete, and their suggestions focused on my the research portion of my concept.

Pete suggested that the research will solidify my concept further, and that I should find quantitative results and incidents caused by over consuming protein supplements. I agreed with his suggestions, and I do need further research to help pull my concept further.

Bek liked my idea of portion control, however brought to light the inconvenience, material wastage and overall unnecessary element of the water. I took her critique into consideration, as it is a waste of materials, and most of the product will be water, and will be a waste of space transportation wise.

Protein Supplement Concept.

Further Research and Concepts

Portion Control of Protein Supplements

What is Protein?

Protein is a basic building block of the human body, it plays a major role all the cells and fluids in our bodies. It makes up 16% of our total body weight.1 The average person needs 0.8 multiplied by their weight worth of protein a day. This can be calculated more accurately here.

Protein Supplements

A supplement, usually powder, of additional protein that can be used to gain and lose weight and build body muscles. Mostly used by athletes and body builders, but is becoming more popular in our everyday lives as they are an easy and convenient supplement to help build muscles.

Side effects of over consuming Protein supplements

1.        Weight gain. Excess calories from excess protein may be stored as body fat.
2.        Intestinal irritation. Too much protein has been linked to constipation, diarrhea and/or excessive gas.
3.        Dehydration. Experts advise drinking a half gallon of water per 100 grams of protein.
4.        Seizures. Seizures have been linked to excess protein intake – but only if insufficient amounts of water are consumed.
5.        Increase in liver enzymes.
6.        Nutritional deficiencies. Just focusing on protein intake causes some high-protein dieters to overlook other nutrients. Ensure that your diet is balanced and nutritious.
7.        Risk of heart disease. This is a bit misleading. A healthy high-protein diet is not associated with heart disease. But if you are getting all of your protein from unhealthy sources that are loaded in unhealthy fats, obviously the risk for heart disease will increase.
8.        Kidney problems. Some believe that high protein and low carbohydrate diets – when done long term – can possibly cause kidney issues, but more research needs to be done.

[source]

Social Issue

Over consuming protein supplements in the incorrect ratio of powder to water, as well as just over taking the supplement itself is dangerous to their short term and long term health. As stated on top, there are a number of side effects that can be caused by over consuming Protein supplements.
This can further tie into the obesity issue, without taking protein properly and balancing it with exercise, this can cause the person to become obese.

Project 1: Feedback 1

My original three concepts concentrated on the reduction of materials and for the packaging to serve a second purpose, ie a case. Of the three concepts, two concerning the packaging of earphones and the third changing the lid of a juice carton, my peers, Constance and Steve found one the earphones the better idea.

The concept was that the packaging would be also serve the purpose as a case to store the earphones after use. The main idea behind this was to replace clamshell packaging as they are difficult to open and are a waste of materials. However, Constance brought to light that the packaging of electronics, earphones in this case, is like so for security purposes, making it more difficult to steal, whereas my packaging used minimal materials and is thus small, which can be easily stolen.

Furthermore, my research was not up to scratch as they wanted a stronger basis for the need to change this packaging, rather than just the need for reducing materials, as Steve mentioned. I need to further solidify my understanding of the brief and choose a strong social issue that needs to be addressed. 

13/03/13 tutorial

Project 1. Research Posters

Research: Arthritis

Definition: A form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. [1]

Arthritis limits the individuals ability to open certain types of packaging, and the following are some of the types of packaging designs that prove more difficult to open.

• Cans with pull ring tabs
• Invisible or unaligned tear notches
• Hard to tear strips on cardboard packs
• Zip tracks that do not re-seal
• Press and seal strips
• Jars with round plastic lids and without serration
• Tightly sealed foil lids
• Screw-tops on jars needing strength to open
• Miniscule instructions and containers that are coded as child-proof and adult-proof

[Source]

Furthermore,  I came across a blog called 'rheumatoidarthritisguy' that details different types of packaging and his personal experience trying to open each. This gave me insight on what types of packaging designs can be improved, and one of the designs that continually continues popping up as difficult and impossible was the 'Clamshell' or 'Molded Plastics'.

Clamshell/Molded Plastic Packaging are usually associated with that of electronics, as they showcase the product as well as protect it. However, these prove to be difficult to open as they usually require scissors to open and some extra strength to peel apart.

Positives:
 -  Showcases the product
 -  Protects and contains the product

Negatives:
 - Difficult to open
 - Usually requires hand tool to open
 - Excessive use of plastic
 - Waste of space in bins

Video Reflection A: Giving Packaging a New Life & How it's Made: Packaging

Studying Industrial Design calls for an extensive knowledge of different materials, which I usually associated with the actual product. However, it wasn't really until viewing these videos that really opened my eyes to the notion of the product's packaging, its uses and reuses, as well as their effect on our environment after they've lived their life cycle.

It has been made clear to me the amount of energy and materials that are required in the process of producing and recycling products and their packaging through these videos. By visually showing the recycling process of everyday materials; paper, aluminium and plastics to name a few, it has invoked a strong consideration to appropriate materials to use, how many different types and much of each are really necessary to produce the product and its packaging. This is largely due to the fact that it is more difficult to recycle an entity made up of many materials, as the recycling process requires for them to be separated into sub categories of like materials.

Furthermore, the 'How It's Made' videos genuinely interested me as they showed how everyday products are made. The efficiency and mass scale production in conjunction with previously watching 'Giving Packaging a New Life' allowed for me appreciate and value the product as well as past its life cycle. It allowed me to reflect how we as designers need to be aware of the impacts the materials we use and the method in which they are produced. On a more general note, the videos also reinforced the need of properly disposing and recycling our rubbish appropriately to maintain a green environment.

To conclude, the three main points I gathered from watching these videos:

1. Consideration of materials; the amount and types, in the design process to reduce difficulty in the recycling process

2. Awareness to the amount of energy used in the process of producing and recycling

3. The need to properly dispose and recycle our rubbish