Task 03: Design a theoretical prototype multi use shoe/trainer/boot box

Research

http://www.wayfair.com/Honey-Can-Do-Medium-Natural-Canvas-Window-Shoe-Box-SFT-02065-HCD1487.html (14/10/14)

http://www.cardandgiftnetwork.com/2010/09/gifts-lucy-antwis-twis.html (14/10/14) 

A natural material is any product or physical matter that comes from plants, animals, or the ground. Minerals and the metals that can be extracted from them (without further modification) are also considered to belong into this category. Natural materials are also often used in textiles. Types include:

•   Biotic materials

o   Wood (rattan, bamboo, bark etc.)

o   Natural fiber (silk), (wool, cotton, flax, hemp, jute, kapok, kenaf, moss, etc.)

•   Inorganic material

o   Stone (flint, granite, obsidian, sandstone, sand, gems, glass, etc.)

o   Native metal (copper, bronze, iron, gold, silver, etc.)

o   Composites (clay, porcelain, plasticine, etc.)

•   Other natural materials.

o   Soil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_material (14/10/14)

Ideas For Design

·      Metal Frame for box. Reinforce it against falling apart.

·      Fabric covering for cardboard box

·      Cotton padding for inside. Could be reused for carrying valuable objects.

·      Add carrying handle.

Designs

NOTE: Metal for box can be aluminum.

Task 02 – Sourcing a YouTube Video (Sustainable Design Across Disciplines) Related

Less Is More: Sustainable Packaging at McDonald's | Sustainability | McDonald's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ejG83lrX4)

• ·      Designed to enable separation of components. – Materials for each individual packaging are the same, making it easier to identify which type of bin to place the packing in when it is finished with. E.g. Container made entirely out of plastic can go to recycling.
• 
  
• ·      Designed to educate client and user. – Tells about how packaging g is reduced to the bare minimum of materials required (i.e. thinnest cardboard).
• 
  
• ·      Uses locally available materials, such as making paper from local forest wood.
• 
  
• ·      Design to exclude innovation lethargy. Reconsiders use of materials and effect on environment.
• 
  
• ·      Design to dematerialise products into services wherever feasible. Design and materials of packaging are standard for McDonald’s.
• 
  
• ·      Design to create more sustainable products and materials for a more sustainable future.

NOTE

·      Designed more to satisfy market-driven needs rather than actual environmental needs.

·      Video says nothing about what happens to packaging after use, or how it benefits the environment.

Task 01 – ‘Age Of Stupid’ Item Notes

Wind Farms

During the film, some footage was shown depicting an environment group attempting to get their local council to approve the construction of wind farms to help the environment. Their efforts ultimately fail, due to protest from local inhabitants against potential wind turbines ruining their view of the countryside. The film seems to depict these protestors as being violently aggressive and unwilling to accept the problem of Global Warming.

However, while I was watching the film, I did think that it was very single-minded in its attitude and unfairly negative in some respects towards anyone that in its view was hindering any actions to stop Global Warming. The Wind farms were a prime example, cause I could actually appreciate the problems with constructing wind turbines and how they ruin the view. I myself get annoyed when I’m walking along the coast for example, and when I look at the sea, I have loads of wind turbines in the middle of the water, ruining the scenery. The turbines could remove the beauty of a natural scene, and if too many are produced, they could damage the planet as surely as global warming could.

In addition, they are not a completely reliable source of energy, because the way they work depends on much wind is blowing around them. The weather can be very unpredictable, and if there is no wind currently around, the turbines would not work. In addition, they can be very expensive to build and can also disturb the local wildlife, such as birds.

That does not mean I cannot see the value in Wind Farms, as they are a useful source of renewable energy that does not add to global warming. I just think that there has to be a balance made that would satisfy both sides of the debate. One possible solution could be to make the turbines shorter in length and limit the number of them as a group. For example, I recently saw a local farm that used only one turbine that was just a little taller than an average house. In addition, it would be best to have an additional source of power, since I’ve explained that wind turbine efficiency depends on the weather itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22791815 (Accessed 28/09/14)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Shepherds_Flat_Wind_Farm_2011.jpg (Accessed 29/09/14)

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/2975968/ (Accessed 29/09/14)

http://www.siemens.co.uk/pool/news_press/news_archive/2013/clyde-wind-farm-siemens.jpg (Accessed 29/09/14)