Green Issues in Design : Introduction

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                                                   Introduction

Design responsibilities: Within this assignment I am posing to unpack the needs and desires required in todays world of responsible design perspectives, including in particular the needs of our planet in order for human mankind to find a sustainable future. My project is an exploration of the natural world, looking at the way natures resources are depleting and how ecology is developing and where it should be heading to create a better future for our planet. Integrating traditional and digital art to create new textiles and wall art. I did this by developing five test projects. My reasoning was to take a traditionalist practice and integrate it within digital imagery. To create new imagery that encourages consumers to think in a more eco conscious value and by doing this can help with the reduction of carbon emissions to draw down climate change to save Antarctica from disappearing. The need to experiment and resolve certain design aspects of my project was also inherent with my research including skills in natural dying and eco printing inks to evoke a concern and direction for better eco conscious green vales within my design practice.

The objectives for my exploratory projects is to encourage social impact in regard to ecology issues linked to our depleting natural world within visual impacts .Choosing to also develop natural dyes and inks( a forgotten skill which can easily be rekindled as the norm through education and knowledge distribution). My online blog has helped me with this task and became a crucial part of my final project appraisal.(Appendix II,V)

Blog introduction page(www.naturesarmour.blogspot.accessed.June.2019)

My point is to use materials and practical awareness of ecology-based practices to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of their own carbon footprint.To change their consumer behavior to use less single use plastics and to also be aware of other issues to decrease carbon emissions for a better ecology future for our planet. I have chosen questions like : How much of the planets resources does it take to make a product and what are the key impacts on the environment are important?

What are the best green solutions within designing and what are the implications of global warming, pollution, plastics in our oceans, ice caps melting.

What does it all mean and how can we as individuals make a difference?

“My first plan of action was to look at my own consumption of single use plastics and see how I could make a positive change to reduce my own carbon footprint” I thought. By questioning myself I formulated a series of test projects to see what questions and answers I could study and develop. AppendixI/ II explains my proposal in more detail.The project brief in short, with this plan came a comprehensive journal which I developed in sketch book form, journalizing in leather bound diaries and actual practical work of which I added in a comprehensive why to an online blog which became the major driving force of my exploratory projects. Which was then printed in book form with added links using current phone and ipad technology, known as a QR code(Appendix II). This process of enquiry and journalism has been beneficial to my design practice of which I will continue to develop, not only does it help me it also allows me to share my beliefs and those of a bigger community online and through word of mouth.

Sketch books developed over MA course.

Note books
Sketch books developed during MA project.

Extract from blog (www.naturesarmour.blogspot.com.accessed June2019)

A Retrospective View.

In order to contextualize my current creative direction. I believe it's important to take a reflective view point moving in order to move forward with my project developments looking back on my previous career as a knitwear designer within a eco conscious designer lead handcrafted knitwear business. Designing soft accessories for a global market including customers Paul Smith Ltd, Burberry's, Harrods, Selfridges, Blue Marin, Sax's 5th Avenue.

Pret-a-porter fashion show

images from previous fashion business.

Fashion shoot for Good House keeping-Malta

Marketing image for Original Sample.

Fashion Show BA hons Knitwear Design 1987 Business News Clips and Documentary of previous business

Green Issues in Design : Ecology Evolution: Abstract

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Abstract

“The epidemic psychosis of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home.”  Theodore Roesak

.(https://libquotes.com/theodore-roszak/works/the-voice-of-the-earth.accessed Aug.2019)

The reasoning behind this book has come from a comprehensive journal documenting a project brief for a Masters Degree at University Lincoln of which extracts can be viewed in (Appendix I /II)

Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system and its related effects. Multiple lines of scientific evidence show that the climate system is warming.^] Many of the observed changes since the 1950s are unprecedented in the instrumental temperature record, and in paleoclimate proxy records of climate change over thousands to millions of years.^{(http://thetechnews.com/2017/07/26/global-warming-scenarios//.accessed 25/08/2019.11.28am)}

Castro trophic tipping point of Global Climate Change. The point were the planets biodiversity, natural resources for energy, climate change and the eradication of our polar regions of our planet will reach us into an era were we will have lost the natural resources to service the human race, a world of non-biodiversity.

“This is already happening with the effects of serious weather changes, alterations in global carbon cycles, eco systems degradations, mass extinction, increases in demands of water food and energy needs. Potentially we can change the devastation we are in by changing our habits, it is a planetary emergency to avoid a global catastrophe. However many scientists believe change will never happen as the world is run via monetary values” (Appendix III:transcript Ten Billion years Director:Peter Webber:writer Stephen Emmott).

Therefore it is every bodies responsibility to live sustainable lives, just like it is our responsibility to put litter in a bin “consume less and strive to be carbon neutral”

The Anthropecene;Making sense of the climate change 

                     A good short definition of the Anthropocene is explained in (Appendix XII)


                                                 The Project Brief MA Design.

The story of our natural habitats and wildlife through the eyes of an ecology-based design perspective to develop and debate strategies and outcomes for a better and greener world thorough our own personal lifestyle choices is of what I’m trying to develop and analyze as a designer and a consumer.(Appendix II)

"Purposely looking at ways to reduce the impact on the environment by choosing more eco sound production processes, materials and longevity of design principles to create the most economically ecology effective products or services."

                               Looking closely at my dissemination development

Initially I created imagery to add to a tote bag as a reason to promote environmental and conservational issues connected to plastic pollution of our oceans.
Semiotics is an interesting  research value within  product design imagery "Semiotics definition, the study of signs and sign -using behaviour. it was defined by one of its founders, the swiss linguist Ferninand De Saussure, as the study of the life of signs within society and include emojis, road signs and corporate logos" described in the Britannica dictionary.(https://www.britannica.com/science/semiotics.accessed Aug.2019)Tote bags for shopping have traditionally been used to advertise company logos brands, statements connected to human nature ie I love ?, be green, save the planet etc.
A product with a design on it to add social impact, is about communicating  above and beyond its function. 
However in this case a tote bag has a function on the basis that it removes single use plastic use when it is used in connection to shopping and directly links to the concerns of  the campaign advertised.  Tote bags can be added and used to promote proto types within the range of fabrics and wall art created and the philosophy is that tote bags can be added to many ranges of products to exclude plastic use within consumer trading. Donations from sales could can also go to environmental campaigns including Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary and therefore act as advertisement for social change and the use of raising funds. These products can also be used as part of a package when purchasing from many ranges (removing the need of unnecessary packaging).

Slogan used on the back of Tote bags to promote Antarctica from depleting and it's eventual total loss of ice caps.                    The Green Consumer The green consumer and green activist is someone who is passionate about ecology and concerned with saving the planets natural environment. As Green peace Explains “People are passionate about peace, passionate about positive change through action. Together we are unstoppable.(GreenPeace.org.uk accessed July.2018).Research suggests that brands that establish a reputation for sustainability can inherit a younger millennial consumer base and build on their reputation for sustainable products. One aspect is even more clearer is that people wanting sustainable products also expect quality and durability within their purchases. As the guardian points out , explaining recent governmental reports on consumer behaviour.(Appendix XIV)

Reseach into Natures Evolution and Patternation.

Natures:Evolution, Pattern and Armour

Its interesting to note how nature influences are ever day lives. The cycle of the day dusk till dawn we live in a world full of amazing nature, encrypting all of this and adding it to a creative practice is something that I have been developing for some time. Previously I have looked into coloration , texture and patter-nation in a way that includes a lot of memory , a lot of vintage inspired antique historical influences within a contemporary practice. The landscape that I live in today is embellished with scenery to be inspired by. A landscape which hasn't changed a great deal for centuries. 

Historical and contemporary  intertwining through time. One of the areas which I use as an artistic direction is to to take historical influences and mix them together with contemporary elements. One of my reasons for doing this is to evoke an value of heritage in order for people to respond to my values.The value of the landscape maintaining its view point of natural integrally is reflected in my eco conscious values of  Arts and crafts. I am wishing to add value to other peoples beliefs of eco consciousness in a way that includes a value of heritage through time. Incorporating an awareness of evoking history of plants,ecology, evolution through a method of juxtaposing style within a hybrid methodology of contemporary and traditional methods.