Week 1

What personal interests, identity and experiences can I develop into a self initiated project?

What topics interest me:
• Sustainability
• Craft
• Science
• Geology
• Materials

I actually really liked some of the ideas I posted for week 10 of the last module as I picked them based on my interests/recurring themes in my projects/work:

1. Typographic 3d sculpture that can feed wild animals whilst also being a filtration system (inspired by Bio-ID‘s architectural tiles)
   This idea would be considering the function of a sculpture in a given location i.e a town centre. Functions could include seating areas within the lettering, along with waste and recycling disposal. It would also support wildlife in some way, would there be a water feature? Plants? A seed station? The function overall would be a combination of sculpture, science and typography and how it feeds back into the community (and wildlife).
   
2. A sustainable digital typeface as from my research these seem minimal in their existence 
   Looking at generating a digital typeface that uses less ink, but I could take this further and actually create a concept company itself that specialises in eco-printing with eco-inks and materials. Very much like ordinary printing businesses, the printing could still be applied to 2D or 3D objects (paper, t-shirt’s, pens, mugs) therefore how would this company source all of these materials too? Paper could be recycled and handmade. This idea would become more of an eco business project.
   
3. Sustainability awareness around the internet as it’s not really talked about as much as other areas, including using ecosia.org as a search engine and cutting down consumption
   This could be a campaign of sorts to draw attention to the issue of internet‘s digital footprint but more importantly, changing the way we view technology and the environment. This isn’t limited to graphic designers, it’s everyone – administrators, teachers, scientists, students, music companies etc. Just having deleted emails but storing them requires energy and electricity. Immediately I can think of some questions which could direct me into the project:
   – Are company websites hosted in data centres that use fossil fuel electricity, or renewables?
   – How much data gets transferred when the web page opens
   – How many times the website’s pages are viewed by visitors over time and whether this is justifiable
   – How is technology made and explore its impact on the environment (I like this one the most)
   
4. A bespoke sustainable service
   In the last module I talked briefly about providing a service that people can go to to look at sustainable options for their business – but this idea is different to idea 2. This one would be looking at the overall functions of the business, the income, employees, origin of materials and footprints for their product/s etc, all following the guidelines of Environmental Management Systems standard ISO 14001.

My chosen idea

Idea 3: Digital footprint

This is a topic I have wanted to learn more about for a long time, and feel now is the perfect time to address this in a four week project. I am a collector of minerals and have been interested in geology for a long time, and I haven’t really researched into how minerals are used in everyday objects, particularly technology.

• The project question –
  How can I raise the awareness of technology and its impact on the environment?
• Aim, objective and critical context –
  Technology is everywhere, and natural materials are used to create them. Unfortunately these natural materials such as minerals are mined, and the mining industry is really damaging to the environment. When consumers purchase a new iphone, they become part of the problem. I think the main thing here is consumerism and the need for ‘new’ technology when old works just as well i.e. buying the new model because it’s fashionable, has a few more features (that aren’t a massive change) and not because the old item is broken, or damaged. Therefore my aim is to create an awareness campaign addressed to individuals, to make them think twice about consuming technology.
• Audience –
  This could be anybody and everybody. From companies to individuals to parents even who purchase tablets for their children to watch YouTube. Therefore in order to narrow down my audience, I want this campaign to be raising awareness to a younger audience. Teenagers who seem to be consuming technology at an alarming rate – Apple being a great example. When you purchase the iphone, why not purchase iwatch, ipad and the ipencil… I mean after all, I fell into that trap. And I hated Apple for years because of this very reason, and ended up purchasing it anyway. Consumerism itself is a really interesting topic which will feed into this slightly, but overall it’s about the impact on the environment.
• Anticipated final outcome –
  Branded campaign raising awareness of technology’s impact on the environment, specifically mining of minerals. Outcome could be really beautiful stationery, leaflets, cards, flyers or even merchandise (as my project develops the output will become evident).

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Personal project plan:

Week 1:
• Compose four ideas, pick one to create four week project
Build project plan
• The question
• Aim, objective and critical context
• Audience
• Final outcome

Week 2:
What technology am I looking at and their role in society
• Mobile phones
• Brands in the market
Research what the problem is
• Identify what minerals are used for the making of phones and how those materials are sourced
• Statistics for the younger generation
Research the solution to this is
• Buy second hand and recycle your phone
• Donate/part exchange your phone
• Recycling stations
• Sustainably sourcing materials
• Spread the word, raise awareness

Week 3:
• Prototypes
• Experiments
• Identity

Week 4:
• Branded campaign consisting of some various items targeted at a younger audience
• SWOT analysis of outcomes