Week 6

Interdisciplinary insights

Lecture Material

Louize Harries:

Red rains of change

“Then also looking at, going back to, how to create red rain. We found out that in places in Kerala in India, they have a red rain plague every three years. Somebody from the University of Glamorgan found out it was through a bacteria, from an algae on a lichen. And that lichen can be found in Scotland and it gets travelled across on the wind. By the time it develops, it makes red rain in Kerala…”

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“Then the more I started researching it I suddenly thought actually the elephant in the room is consumption. We talk about sustainability and companies are all full of how they’re using organic cotton or x, y and z, that’s all lovely, but actually people need to slow down, or there needs to be some addressing on consumption.”

The idea of creating a drone that rains red when pollution levels are high would be interesting – how safe would it actually be for people to be red-rained on? Would it stain anything? I know the idea is actually to alert people of pollution in the city but how would that actually inform people to change their lifestyles? From all of my research/interest in this subject, unless people know exactly what to change and what the friendlier alternatives are to pollution; they are not going to change their products/cars or stop entirely. I think this is why it’s so important as a graphic designer that brands are actively encouraging sustainability and educating the consumers on pollution within cities – particularly highly populated cities such as London. Maybe this project would be aimed at scientists who could use red-rain to detect pollution and therefore say it’s due to car pollution etc.

Designers on holiday

Eco tots:

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I personally love the eco tots concept and in fact what DOH are trying to accomplish. They have considered how people and animals can interact outdoors in their projects and enjoy the surrounding landscape. Eco tots encourages children to be outside from a young age, planting and participating in gardening with family and friends. It’s educational and beneficial to the environment, so great concept.

Precious plastic universe

I love the idea of PPU – the idea of being able to create your own plastic recycling station in the neighbourhood for neighbours to use if your town doesn’t have a recycling point is so clever. There’s a really strong community – the business is built on volunteers and run solely through grants, awards, donations and the bazar fees.
There is a demand for this type of business and there needs to be more accessibility in terms of recycling/reusing plastics into household objects such as chairs. The main problem for that seems to begin to be solved with this company, is that people like myself would be able to create machines that would shred the plastic. The next question is, how would I then get the shredded plastic into moulds and make chairs? I feel like this is targeted at quite a specific market, such as tradesmen or industries with machinery maybe. But it’s still a good idea. I would love the idea of a jewellery making one or something that involved a mini kiln (very much like DIY glass making for jewellery – the microwave kilns) – even mugs or cutlery. That would be great.