Peer Feedback 27/03/2013

Peer 1 (Hyunjin Kim):
Mentioned that the new social issue I have chosen is more relevant to today's society, compared to the issue I was addressing at the start of the project. Need to show more shapes and forms using 3D mock-ups to come to a better, more innovative solution

Peer 2 (Andrew Mendez):
Should research more into different materials for my design, and need to make sure the graphical content on the design is appealing for the target market. 

Feedback from tutor:
Need to push the idea further and be more creative in my approach. Must be able to sell my solution to the tutors. Need to research on a range of different types of materials and know the advantages/ disadvantages of each. Must be more innovative, possibly look into bioplastics for final design. Need to properly explain why existing solutions don't address my issue.

Feedback from listening to other tutors:
Should have own logo's and theme, must make sure to keep consistent layout throughout the rationale booklet. Should use similar colours and fonts in rationale booklet as well as on the final design. 

March 27 2013

Rationale DRAFT

The 11th Hour

An interesting discovery that i made whilst watching was that almost seventy countries in the world no longer have their original forests. The forests are being cut down at a very rapid rate as our population increases exponentially. Another insight i got from the film was that almost all scientists agree that there are negative effects happening to the planet. The major prevention for a global positive change is the world’s politicians, who do not all agree that there is a major issue.

Prior to watching this film i was not fully aware of the environmental impact that has been caused by humans over the years. This film is a real eye opener for designers especially, since we are responsible for what consumers buy and use. I began to realise that there are many solutions to the environmental troubles and that if we have a more sustainable approach to design, the world will change significantly. I think a lot of young designers will hear the facts from the film and begin to realise the importance of being sustainable and environmentally friendly. I believe the insight that i got from the film will alter my outlook and make me pay more attention to the environmental aspects of my future designs.

1) An important message which is also one of the biggest misunderstandings in the world today is that we are part of nature and not separate in any way, this uncertainty is the biggest cause of destruction in the world.

2)  There are many solutions in nature that can alleviate this effect; the biggest source of energy on the planet is the sun. The sun produces enough energy every single day to power every factory, home, car on earth thousands of times over. We must start avoiding the use of fossil fuels and oil and look to nature for solutions to the big problems.

3) The biggest and most important message that i got from the film was that we need to shift our attitude and be aware of what’s happening, there are companies already that are designing more environmentally sustainable auto mobiles  houses and buildings. I think as Industrial Designers we need to slowly but surely change our frame of mind to a more optimistic one and take into consideration what nature has to offer and what we can discover from it.

If i had the power to be able to spread this film around the world, i would. I think all design students and designers need to know the importance of this film and the message it portrays. We need to be more cautious about our actions on earth and the current problem that is affecting the earth. 

Concepts + Mock-ups

Peer Feedback 20/03/2013

Peer 1 (Anthea Friend):
- Use graphical design and layout on the packaging itself to encourage kids to use the product. Kids are more likely to be drawn to a product through the packaging design, rather than the contents. 

Peer 2 (Reza Sazesh):
- The packaging could contain activities on the outside that encourages kids to be active and be more social. Should focus on giving the packaging a new use after its primary function. It's important that the packaging be used in a way that helps address the social issue. 

Feedback from tutor:
- Do more research on how much kids need to eat and the different recommended amounts for boys/ girls and different cultural backgrounds. 
- Can use to packaging as 'building blocks'  for kids to keep that motivates them and encourages them to eat breakfast
- Need to direct my focus on the issue of kids skipping breakfast rather than providing a solution for portion control. Should do some extra research regarding this problem. 

Feeback from listening to other tutors:
- Interview the target market, ask questions, spend some time with them and get to know your target audience on a personal level. This will greatly help you understand the issue more and address it. 

Research + Concepts

Peer Feedback 13/03/2013

Peer 1 (Luke Messina):
- Use the package to encourage children to be more active

Peer 2 (Reza Sazesh):
- Suggested to be more innovative with the packaging design itself while trying to keep it simple. Make sure that i am addressing the social issue first. 

Feedback from tutor:
- Push the social issue side more
- Somehow engage children into getting more active through the packaging itself
- Work out how i can control how much the kids are eating (portion control)
- Can the packaging have another use after it is opened?

Feedback from listening to other tutors:
- Need to make sure i am approaching from the social issue point of view
- Can use visual clues to help the issues as well as physical barriers to control obesity

Video Reflections

Giving packaging a new life

The information is quite useful for young designers since it shows what materials are recyclable and what processes the materials go through to be recycled. This allows designers to be able to design products that can be recycled more efficiently. The movie changed my view on plastics; i typically viewed plastic as a negative product for the environment. I also found out about some of the technical machinery out there that allows materials to be sorted and put back in the production cycle. I think after watching these videos i will change the way i utilise certain materials in my design projects and think more about the whole life cycle of different materials.

How it’s made: Packaging

The videos showing how certain packaging is made is very interesting because it shows the manufacturing processes, this provides designers with opportunities and also limitations into what can be done. Once you understand how certain packaging is made you gain a significant advantage and you can be more involved in the design process. I think after watching the videos, they will make me think more about Tetrapak especially since it is compact and lightweight, they also are made from mostly recycled materials while keeping food and drink safe for a long time. I will also think differently about the debate of glass or plastic bottles, since the video explores both materials.

The first take home message would be as designers, is to look at manufacturing process more strongly and appreciate them since this can determine final designs of products. Another message is to make every attempt to utilise not only sustainable materials but environmentally friendly production processes when taking into consideration how manufactured goods will be made. The final message would be to help encourage recycling and reusing especially with PET bottles which often end up in landfill, this can be minimised by being well-informed as to the major benefits to the environment by recycling certain materials. These three messages will be something that i always need to consider when designing products, often i mention materials as being ‘environmentally friendly’ because they can be recycled, but i had little knowledge of the infrastructure required to make something environmentally friendly. If I could change the situation i would set up systems that encourage major companies to utilise these types of recycling methods and limit the use of virgin materials. I fee strongly about this issue, since I believe designers are the key in making a sustainable future.