Video Reflection C: Big Ideas That Changed The World - Consumerism

We are constantly wanting new things, feeling this strong compulsive attraction to material goods because we simply 'need' it to fit in by following the trend, to get that new technological toy. This video highlights and reminds us of the impacts consumerism has on the world, such as the pollution emitted into our environment by producing these things, then by delivering them. This reiterates the need for recycling and using environmentally friendly recyclable materials that uses green energy to produce.

From a personal perspective, I am a victim of overconsuming, however, I feel like this video has helped open my eyes to the issues I've been unaware of and/or have ignorantly turned a blind eye to. From a design perspective, it continues to reiterate the consideration of not only the design of the product, but the manufacturing process to ensure less damage to our environment.

Three take home messages:

1. Consumerism is a large issue that has negative effects to our environment
2. We can make a change by being more conscious of what we consume and consuming less
3. Consuming material goods and having a lot of is misinterpreted as true happiness

Project 2: Peer Feedback

My initial concepts for the Green Gifting project look at taking popular products and changing the materials to more a eco-friendly one, as a message from the user to other people, that they were environmentally aware and promote this idea. Though my concepts are relatively weak, there is room for improvement. My concepts are as follows:

1. A money clip made from bamboo - promoting this concept of eco-friendly materials used in a popular product. The use of an organic shape, and the bending qualities of bamboo is appropriate for this item.
2. USB made of cork
3. Clock Cork

Feedback

I discussed my concepts with my tutor and peers, and the general consensus was that my money clip idea was the better of the three. I had extensive feedback from Anuj and Pete.

Anuj commented that the concept has a lot of room for improvement, in respect to innovation and play on shape and size. He however, thought it was appropriate for this project of gift giving, as he personally said he would enjoy receiving such a product. He further helped bounce ideas on how to actually made the model, such as layering sheets of veneer wood.

Pete, like Anuj, liked the idea of an organic eco-friendly made money clip and also said he would enjoy receiving this as a gift. He however commented that I could maybe add a personal twist to the product to create something of innovation.

Project 2: Green Gifting Concepts

Resources:
http://www.bamboovillage.com.au/why-bamboo.aspx
http://www.bamboosheetsblog.com/bamboo-information/73-environmental-benefits-of-bamboo/
http://life.gaiam.com/article/how-eco-friendly-bamboo
http://www.greenearthbamboo.com/Bamboo%20-%20is%20it%20biodegradable_a/141.htm
http://www.expressgreenpak.com/why_bamboo.asp

http://myweb.wit.edu/viridis/green_site/projects/1_materials/other_natural/2_effects/effects.html
http://www.corkforest.org/faq_cork_facts.php
http://www.corkway.com/about/articles/what-is-cork/
http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm
 http://100percentcork.org/cork.php/news/article/associated_content_is_natural_cork_environmentally_friendly

Project 1: Social Responsible Packaging - Peer Reviews

Constance Docos

Alex Chittenden

Steven Poyser

Bek Fraser

Matt Holihan

Pocket Protein Rationale