Abigail Dace
My work focuses on sustainable ways to design. I work with a variety of materials and manufacturing methods. I believe in developing modern manufacture rather than reverting totally to pre-industrial production techniques. I have considered the impact of my design from manufacture through to disposal.
Through re-working design nostalgia in a modern way I want to cultivate familiarity with my products. In this piece I have referenced button-upholstery and have also drawn links to the popular toy Meccano.
Aim: Sustainability for the masses.
In this project I have researched the issue of sustainability, which is complex and full of problems that must be overcome.
This has set me on a steep learning curve, which I intend to continue with and which will influence my general practice in the future.
I have tried to apply what I have learned so far in the design and construction of this product. It demonstrates elements of the theory and material research I have carried out and illustrates my current understanding of sustainable design in practice.
In a world where recycling is becoming ever more important it is vital for designers to start playing a key role in the process.
Many common recycling practices result in a lower grade of material being produced. This creates a down-cycling system, which slows down but does not prevent, precious materials ending up in landfill. This process is in part due to products being created which cannot easily be disassembled and separated into their pure material components.
If designers can begin to take responsibility for the life cycle of the products they create we could build a closed-loop system where materials can easily be separated and recovered. The materials could then re-enter the manufacturing industry without being affected by their previous incarnation. This could be repeated indefinitely, so long as no contaminants enter the system.
Designing for disassembly should become a necessary part of the design process. Material and finishing choices which exclude solvents and other known toxic compounds, as well as clear labelling to enable separating for recycling are also very important issues which must be considered.
Sourcing materials from two closed systems – renewable materials from the biosphere and non-renewables from the technosphere – we can create a world where everything is re-used and where landfills are no longer needed.
Designing for disassembly also allows the products to be flat packed for transport, reducing cost and carbon emissions.
Designers, manufacturers and consumers must work together to create this new method of design and manufacture. The designer’s role is vital to demonstrate to manufacturers that it can be done and to convince the consumer that sustainable products can be desirable, and competitive economically.
