Appendix II : Brief outline of MA Project .

                                                                                                      10

Brief Outline of MA Project

Poster for MA Show

The Poster used for the end of project show at University Lincoln.

MA studio in Design end of Degree Show June 2019.

Ecology Evolution Project

My project is about green issues, I have choice to develop my own inks for printing and have experimented with dying fabrics to find the right pigments using natural resources. This idea has come from the need for eco conscious values to be embedded into my art work.

The objective for my art work is to encourage social impact in regard to ecology issues linked to our depleting natural world within our oceans and more specifically protecting Antarctica. My point has been to use visuals to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of their own carbon foot print and to change their consumer behaviour to use less single use plastics.

The main issue I have decided to use within my set work is the current climate change emergency and have choicen a Green Peace Campaign ”Antarctica Ocean Santuary”

Imagery has been based around oceans and the need to save the worlds ecology and especially the need to reduce single use plastics.

I am hoping to encourage green living and to awaken the need to protect Antarctica via the need for everyone to consider their own carbon footprint and reduce their single use plastic purchases.

I have chosen a blog to record all my developments of which print making has been my main area of interest. The blog has been converted into a book which has become the main focus of my project showing my design journey in a comprehensive format.

Book conversion from my blog.(naturesarmour.blogdpot.com)

Side view of blog to book .MA Journals:Ecology Evolution.

Inside cover of MA Journals: Ecology Evolution.

Inside of MA Journals:Ecology Evolution 

Journal pages showing sketches :design developments.

Inside pages of blog to book conversion.

MA Journal : Ecology Evolution showing publishing lay out.

MA Journals Ecology Evolution : Printing developments.

I have used natural resources in my work and believe if a product can return to the earth without too much pollution ie compostable materials, then it’s a lot less environmentally destructive than man made plastics which take hundreds of years to decompose.

My MA project is about looking at how natural resources are depleting and how ecology is developing in order to create a better future for our planet and how traditional art can be intergrated within digital technology 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.

Brief outline of my MA project proposal : Design brief extract.

Marketing  Green Issues My project is about marketing ideas and current debates to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of ecology. These debates, actions and new emerging strategies can be packaged into various product ideas from Tote bags, through to the main range of fabrics, wall papers and murals. Objective for Creative Narrative The objective for my artwork is to give social impact in order to make my work relevant to social needs, recognizing global warming and more specific keeping our oceans clean through conservation campaign strategies within my practical work. One area of interest within emerging strategies for ecology is within the contemporary coalition of leading researchers, scientists and policy makers (Hawken.2018.10) who have come up with realistic and practical solutions to climate change. It is believed if all the technique are utilized and deployed collectively across the world within 30 years greenhouse gases can reverse to a level known as drawdown. The point when greenhouse gases peak and then begin to decline. I will be connecting with a number of nongovernmental environmental groups to encourage a deeper meaning of social change through global knowledge of various campaigns including Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary. Currently being discussed through action campaigns via Green Peace who I am currently a member. There are numerous projects across the world which include individual activists who are bringing awareness to the for front of society consciousness.  There are a number of key leading campaign organizations that work towards making a change within ecology issues. They are Green Peace, Friends of the Earth, RSPCB and of cause not forgetting David Attenborough are all linked to environmental awareness which are all of interest to me as a means of inspiration through my art work. The world also has numerous individuals who campaign individually to help awareness concerning climate change for example current yachtsmen and women, swimmers and movie stars/musicians/artists. Current Design Trends. The current focus that influences trends that are emerging within my area of practice relates to the need for designers working within industries to be forward thinking in their processes to create unique constantly evolving new areas of design while maintaining a good eco conscious moral strategy within personal carbon footprints. The need to constantly create new processes using unique creative parameters can affect our ecological base on earth i.e micro fibers are now polluting our oceans, plastics once new and immerging are now one of the key causes of pollution. Plastics are polluting our seas which is why the UK government has brought in charges for plastic bags. It is my challenge to prove that using natural fabrics, dyes and natural thickeners only enhances design choices for everyone involved and in turn reduce climate change and pollution. Current and Relevant Designers Specialist designer fabrics and wallpapers such as the collaborations of Damien Hurst and Mathew Williamson and their collaborative design work creates new directions in a way that continues traditional values without inhibiting new design. This is a new and emerging trend were by the different sections of the art and design world are emerging and integrating design ideas together. The main demographic of my focus of concern in terms of consumers are those people who currently interested and are motivated in creating a better pollution free world. They do this by being as eco conscious as possible. They are also interested in longevity within design choices. Throw away fashion and short-term life spam of products does not help landfill and creates more waste.  Current company labels like Timorous Beasties and the more main stream companies like Farrow & Ball and Little Green are currently influential in my art work. These companies hold a strong believe in the traditional printing techniques.                      Traditional and Classical Design Influences  Classic and Vintage design aspirations are a well-established design direction currently being developed within general trends. Trend organizations like pattern curator and WGSN link too many emerging trends in order for designers to effectively link to current relevance. I have been researching current trends via Pinterest and have collated collections within storyboard/Mood boards to show what is happening in the market place and by doing this I can predict what is going to be current moving forward. Creative Design Work I am planning on creating printed home furnishing fabrics and wall papers within 3 sections of design interpretation 1.    Photographic digital art imagery using MAC suite 2.    Traditional printing techniques lino, direct printing, screen printing 3.    An integration of de- collage contemporary and traditional including the other 2 areas above. Foe-patchwork imagery(fabric imitating traditional patch work) Reasons for these developments  is to create fresh interpretations and encourage up cycling, re using materials for a more sustainable working practice. Colour  is an important aspect of my project with an interest in warn out faded patinaed effects to create nostalgic rustic decadence using the colour blue as the main colourway. Quantity : 4 finished  designs. Fabrics with matching wall papers. Swing tags/Tote bags for all of the above with added information in regard to eco systems and endangered species. Areas of design enquiry will be based around scale (using the small ,medium and big design theory) Incorporating traditional and contemporary pattern repeat.  Traditional staggered effects versus more contemporary pattern layout (kaleidoscope). Over scaling and juxtaposing within a de-collage effect incorporating contemporary print technology and traditional print.

The Audience

My audience is people who are interested in eco conscious lifestyles, they enjoy conservation and they are traditional within their design concepts. However they are also looking for a new contemporary edge to their consumer choices while at the same time holding on to traditional values to add longevity to their purchases.

The impact I hope my study will bring to my audience is to reconsider and evaluate what is needed moving forward for people to be aware and challenge climate change. I will be looking at new emerging studies and consumer choices and reasoning to work towards a better ecological future.

“People are passionate about protecting the earth, passionate about peace, passionate about positive change through action. Together we are unstoppable”(Greenpeace .org.uk accessed July.2018). I will be developing contacts through meeting in regard to issues that need to be challenged and find out what?,Why?How?

There are numerous artists, musicians and actors who are campaigning for environmental changes to reverse green house gases.

Kurt Jackson for example has previously worked with Green Peace in order to create a competition to come up with valued ideas for eco conscious solutions.

There are also independent people who have chosen to meet the demands of ecology values and are currently protesting via sport accomplishments i.e Lewis Pugh who is currently swimming the length of the channel. He is campaigning for stronger restrictions on fishing and is currently pushing awareness of plastic pollution. He also wants 30% of our oceans to be conservation areas.

A very recent sky news report called the plastic whale shows the plight of many marine animals.

  “Thomas Moore, Science Correspondent

A stranded whale that died with a stomach full of plastic has a message for us: we need to act.

Our household rubbish is polluting every single part of our oceans, at every possible depth.

And it is killing our marine life.

The Cuvier's beaked whale feeds far out to sea at depths of a mile or more - and yet one died with dozens of plastic bags in its stomach.

The animal, which stranded near Bergen, Norway, had mistaken so many bags for food that its stomach was stuffed with plastic.

This is not the first animal to die because of widespread plastic pollution - and it won't be the last.”  (news.sky.com)

This sort of news reel and documentary can only encourage a new customer base of people who wish to carry tote bags made of cotton as opposed to plastic bags. They will also enjoy eco conscious designed products of different kinds incorporating their concerns for environmental and conservational issues.

Below a brief documentary on the effects of plastic pollution.

A brief outline of my design project showing a section of my MA Proposal brief.

Outcomes of Project Brief My MA Major Project brief will be using oceans and marine life as a theme in order to make more people aware of the pressures that our human activities have on our oceans. Using visuals with information through my practical word and my written will help me evaluate and extend my current knowledge and the knowledge of others. I can measure this impact via online feedback via my blog and also some small surveys including one to one interviews discussions with selected people. ·         I will use qualitive design research. I will be adding social impact by design for environmental reasoning. ·         Help conserve our natural habituates is extremely important and links today’s current affairs debates and actions. ·         Expeditions via people like Jacque Cousteau and his grandson Philip Cousteau marine biologists are important researchers in order for the world to understand were ecology issues stands today. ·           To make changes to keep our natural habitats natural and without pollution. ·         Researching the profound effects that mankind is having on our oceans links closely with our ecology needs for the future. ·          Preventing green house gases and pollution to save our endangered species is essential. ·         . If I can highlight those species that are most endangered in my print making practice and incorporate information I can begin to make small changes through visual interpretations. Oceans are particularly vulnerable to human activities, delicate eco systems can easily be wiped out due to pollution and over fishing. With the advances of technology fishing within our oceans is increasing and unfortunately this means a reduction in fish and mammals which could equal more and more species becoming endangered. For example tuna fish are becoming more and more sparse within our oceans has given rise to tuna farms in our oceans. Restrictions on size of fish including shellfish is one way to restrict over fishing, however these guidelines are not always kept. Visually I am hoping that my practical work will hit accord commercially within a contemporary arena. Keeping within my traditionalist design ethos to help consumers become more aware of current ecology issues within our oceans, including our very important Antarctica landscape. ·         Labeling and using written information around images will be important to get the conservation message across. ·          Using natural fabrics and traditional dyes and inks for traditional printing will also impact on consumer values and concerns. ·         I have chosen to use Blooms taxonomy to help me with my observational analysis of my work, which I will incorporate into my sketchbooks and my blog.

Chapter III Green Design : The Future

                                                                                                                

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   Chapter III : Green Design: The Future

”Analogy:Climate Change the New Gravity”.

The Narrative is explained by Ingold as "To tell a story then, is to relate, in narrative, the occurrences of the past, retracing a path through the world that others,recursively picking up threads of past lives, can follow in the process of spinning out their own.But rather as in looping or knitting, the tread being spun now and the thread picked up from the past are both of the same yarn. There is no point at which the story ends and life begins."(Ingold 2007:90)


  

"The importance of major progress in designing for sustainability and resilience is indisputable, and the arguments are highly commendable. However do they go far enough?" Are we still focused on our backyards rather than the needs of our fellow human beings worldwide? Have we yet grasped the level of adaptability that is required not only to protect us in the present, but to future-proof the built environment for generations to come? And what must governments, professional bodies and indeed individuals do to bring the total paradigm shift that is so urgently needed."

(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/doi/10.1002/ad.2268/abstract-byline)

I have taken this quote from an article on line called Aim High:Pressing for radical and global Approach to sustainable design by Nastasi. John.
Environmental social and economic delicate global systems need to be addressed. New solutions of a need for ever increasing green issues for sustainable outcomes are necessary today and for the future. Identifying other drivers of consumerism i.e beauty, morality, humanity and well being. Finding a wider spirit of human endeavour which reaches the masses, in order to make environmental changes in problem based waste ie single use plastics, throw away fashion. Fashion consumables are using up aprox 10% of all global emissions.
"The new and innovative sits within a continuum of practices and ideas. Through them it becomes evident how design relies not only on methods and techniques, but also on fundamental ways of conceptualising and bringing about change and improvement in the world; this applies, or should apply, to textiles as it does to any other area of design. New approaches to textile design are predicted therefore not only on the 'how' and the 'what' of design , but also on the 'why'. It must acknowledge and integrate technology, while also attending to issues of excess and waste in the face of dwindling resources and growing populations, and of inequality and exploitation across the globe. For textiles , this creating new possibilities and collaborations that are bringing together previously disparate practices and interests, such as sciences, technology, biology, health and well-being, as well as the social sciences and a range of creative practices. It is also leading to the re-invigoration of textile crafts and traditions, not only to instil new design aesthetics, but also to add to the cultural value of cloth by expanding and enhancing it's meanings and relationships with people's lives on a variety of levels.(Jefferies J.Wood Conroy.D.Clarke.H(2018.17).

Processes of design are intertwining within different art and design practices and within different processes modern and traditional.Finding a connection with the driving force within sustainability and the need to draw down carbon emissions us a key design factor within today's designs and those of the future.

” There is also a new era of mass innovation and creative collaboration that has been made possible by Web 2.0 and to a future in which the identities of the professional and consumer producer are becoming increasingly blurred”(Jefferies.J.2018.4)

                                                                                                             Conclusion

Through my research I have learnt from this project that there is an embodied relationship between making and thinking connected to psychoanalysis within different types of art and design parameters. As it is written in the Chapter Making Known with the book ‘The hand book of Textile Culture”This is sometimes described as ‘tacit knowledge’ or ‘skill’ in which the neural pathways of kinaesthetic memory serve as pathways for unconscious thought, fantasy and meaning.It is the work of ‘praxis’ to authorise and acknowledge this silent,’tacit’ knowledge, which can otherwise atrophy like soft logic under the deformation of the more conventional hard logic of authored discourse.”

The need for designers to be interdisciplinary and collaborative is clear throughout my project I have not only looked at the ‘how’ and the ‘what’ but more about the ‘why’ in connection to our need to be sustainable within our lives and within are working practices.

                                        Recycling

up cycled old pennies.

Up-cycled leather tags made on laser cutter

Leather swing tickets made from up cycled leather from an old sample book.

“Take, make, waste-the modus operandi of the industrial era. Take the resources needed, make them into things, discard the by-product and, eventually, consign the used goods to waste. Today, a new circular way of thinking is beginning to replace that logic. In nature, cycles abound. Water and nutrients move in closed loops, and there is no waste.

Instead, discards become resources. Drawing on nature’s wisdom, circular business models look at old goods and scrap materials as valuable resources for new products. They begin to redirect the linear flows that start with raw materials and end at landfills and incinerators, making the industrial system function more like an ecosystem instead.” (Hawkin.P2017.160)

“Recycling products via the companies customers when they have finished with them is a new emerging concept. “Patagonia collects ‘worn wear’ for repair, if too far gone, for recycling. But voluntarily taking such responsibility is unusual. Formalising it encourages companies to think now about what will happen then and make their products longer lasting, easier to fix, and as recyclable as possible. In other words, while recycling happens at end of life, it is best considered from the beginning”(Hawkin.P2017.161)

There are numerous quadrium’s of different solutions to negotiate through when making decisions about the best green issues to respond to which through my experimental project briefs I found different features within each process some better than others, some in development fazes that may become more sustainable in the future.(Appendix VX)

Through my research and in particular when developing my questionnaire for a small qualitative survey(Appendix XIII) I  noted how reluctant most people were about filling in a form that most were unsure of what was the best answers where or where unsure what conclusions to make. The main verbal feedback I have found from this project within green issues is that the solutions for many people are distinguishable however most people explain how difficult it is to avoid single use plastics. Whether it is due to the amount that is still actually circulating in the market place or that unwrapped is usually handmade and more expensive.

Using their own fabric carriers was something most people are wishing to achieve on a regular basis if not sometimes or more often, than not.

What I have found that individuals can do is become a movement.” As Mc Kibben writes:’ Movements are what take five or ten percent of people and make them decisive- because in a world where apathy rules, five or ten percent is an enormous number’ Movements change how we think and how we see the world, creating more evolved social norms.(Hawkin.P 2017.216)

Online distribution of ideas, solutions,  designs and movements are changing the way we think and interact.  “A potential effect of online distribution is the blurring of artistic boundaries, in some cases, between producer and consumer; in others, between amateur and professional. More over, the relative ease of digital creation and online distribution and feedback may lead to production by the masses that rivals production for the masses. The outcome of these developments may be that we are entering a new era for all the arts.(Jafferies.J 2018.4

Future and emerging trends within sustainable design include the following ideas(Appendix XVII)

The future of campaigning and action without relaying on governments is fundamentally important for the future of our natural environment.(https://www.facebook.com/aokfanpage/accessed 25.08.2019)

While researching ethics and philosophy I found an extract from a academic paper helps explains ethical social behaviour

. "Combining notions of ecological virtue and citizen science, being at one develops an eco-praxis that sees human beings as active members/partners in a creative, participatory universe in which human and planetary flourishing are co-existent and based upon recognition of the facts of social and natural existence. The value-centred eco-philosophy acknowledges that human beings exist in a dialectical interplay of dependence, independence and interdependence. "( Peter Critchley Being and Place http://pcritchley2.wix.com/beingandplace)(www.academia.edu/.com accessed 25.08.2019.11.45pm)

                

Chapter II :Design Development.

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Sebastian Copland. photograph

Chapter II: Design Developments

"What it lies in our power to do,it lies in our power not to do"(Aristotle, Nicomachaen ethics 350bc)

The Tote bag "Protect Antarctica"

Design philosophy incorporating ecology based issues can be used whenever a new design is being concepted, thought through and produced, guidelines include updating and developing new strategies to improve eco values of each product.

Frozen World :David Attenborough

A detailed view of the natural world of Antarctica

Inspiration Incubation stage

Sebastian Copland Antarctica the vanishing north.

While researching ideas for my project I came across a book that gave me large amount of inspiration, a pictorial book of Antarctica: The vanishing landscape by Sebastian Copland. The following information was sourced from this book.

'Sebastian Copland 'is a photographer and environmental advocate using messages of urgent global significance for the world to revue and understand. His book Antarctica which he produced with Sir Richard Branson won him a Professional Photographer of the year award in 2007. Sebastian has been an international speaker of climate change crisis for many years. He has been warning of systemic transformations taking place in the polar regions from anthropogenic activities and their geographical consequences.He is also an explorer and has been listed in the worlds top 50 explorers globally. Copland has led expeditions across the Artic sea, Greenland and Antarctica and has reached both poles on foot. He has also produced documentary films including the North Pole and Greenland.(Appendix XI : explains methods and ethics including a message from Sir Richard Brandon who help fund his book)

Arctica photographed by Sebastian Copland.

Environmental social and economic delicate global systems need to be addressed, new solutions for ever increasing green issues for sustainable outcomes are necessary today and for the future.Identifying other drivers of consumerism i.e beauty, morality , humanity and well being . Finding a wider spirit of human endeavour which reaches the masses in order to make environmental changes within problem based waste i.e single use plastics and its devastational progression on our oceans and wildlife, resources and the global contamination of chemicals has been a driving force for my project.

Artic Deer photographed by Sebastian Copland

Skull by Sebastian Copland.

Product Durability

Making a good quality , strong piece of clothing takes an element of excellence, this for me includes longevity of design, the ability for the product to be used repeatedly which includes durability. Within my design project test samples the tote bag produced included strong fabric which was double thickness due to it being completely lined in the same fabric, a lot of back stitching to secure threading and secure straps.

Original Sample without interfacing in straps, showing creasing.

Original Sample without interfacing in straps.

Well worn test sample showing strength of strap including interfacing.

Second sample tested with interfacing shows a more durable strap.
The question of how long a product will last adds more eco value to each item ,less landfill means less methane, less carbon monoxide. Initially production energy levels in regard to product manufacturer against the longevity of a product, lowers the overall carbon footprint. If a designer chooses not to be associated with fast fashion, this might include designing a product with an historical classic way without a fashion fad which could shorten its use. Designing something classical that would precede many seasons, nautical themed products tend to have longevity and progress through seasons. Something nautical whether it's clothing or other products tend to withstand fashion fazes due to it's ability to re trend.  A product which has durability needs to also have imagery that will last through possibly decades of wear. These sorts of products have large life cycles and can greatly reduce their predicted carbon footprints and are the most eco-conscious for this reason. When comparing carbon footprints of products it is worth recognising for example, when looking at the carbon footprint of a plastic bag against a tote bag. A plastic bag has a much smaller carbon footprint than a cotton tote bag, it uses less energy, it's much lighter, includes less materials etc.

While researching this area, I came up with a question that needs to be addressed and it is this, the destruction of habitat and wildlife due to plastic pollution is not included in the carbon footprint of a product. The amount of sequential oxygen losses are not accounted for. The devastation that plastic effects have on our oceans also isn't added to the carbon footprint of a product.The following information adds weight to my thinking, sourced via the-verge.com by Alessardia Potenza.
Initially my thoughts were dashed in regard to whether a cotton tote bag is more environmentally less impacting than a plastic bag. A recent report published by Demarks Ministry of environment stated that plastic bags are better for the environment than organic cotton totes. A study published in 2011 by the UK environmental agency reached the same point of view.
All these studies relate to the life cycle of a product and don't include other impacts like ocean plastic and the environmental impact of pollution. It is therefore important to make a point in regard to what impact on the environment you as a consumer or a designer are concerned with. "You have to be cautious about drawing big conclusions".( Appendix VIII)
"Plastic Bags, It can take between 400 and 1000 years for plastic bags to decompose. A number of UK retailers have recently introduced degradable carrier bags. These bags are made from plastic which degrades under certain conditions or after a predetermined length of time. There are two types of degradable plastic: bio-degradable plastics, which contain a small percentage of non oil-based material, such as corn starch; and photodegradable plastics, which will break down when exposed to sunlight.
There are a number of concerns over the use of degradable plastics. First, these plastics will only degrade if disposed of in appropriate conditions. For example, a photodegradable plastic product will not degrade if it is buried in a landfill site where there is no light. Second, they may cause an increase in emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, as methane is released when materials biodegrade anaerobically."( http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2011/environment/3611.pdf. 
Further more the survey's of which numerous countries have described plastic bags having less carbon footprints than paper or Cotton is purely explaining the carbon footprint cost and not other more important impacts on the environment and wildlife as a whole concern and the sequential losses of oxygenating plants and wildlife, large environmental arenas like our oceans that the earth depends on are not taken into account. Appendix IX explains the environmental impact of Marine Plastic pollution in scientific detail giving rise to the new emerging debate of environmental issues connected to climate change and what advices in Green Design issues can come from a better understanding of these key issues.
 The following advice concerning the National Northern Ireland Assembly comparisons between carrier bags survey" All bags have an impact. The best solution would be to use a cotton bag several hundred times, probably using it constantly for years. If you are not going to do that, a plastic bag – reused as a bin liner – is the next best option, better than paper. Avoid accepting a plastic bag unless you need one, though." (appendix X)
From my research and dissemination review.  I realised that there are new and emerging fabrics that are made from new types of natural fibres and technology based fabric developments that have a better carbon footprint which includes lower carbon footprints without polluting and killing wildlife.(Appendix X : Most popular new fibres). Also important is how the fashion industry deals with this emerging need for sustainability. The government has created a number of official white papers on the green issues within the fashion industry (Appendix IX has relevant key points).

Since the UK government has issued a fee(tariff) to purchase a plastic bags when purchasing in stores across the UK plastic bag use has dropped by 87% creating a much better environmental impact than previously before plastic bag tariff introduction was applied. Plastic straws have also been banned adding more environmental eco conscious application within our consumer world. Alterative plastic bags that are bio degradable can be purchased as an alternative, however some of these bags only bio degrade at high temperatures. Sourcing organic bio degradable plastic bags are the best alternative's
to petroleum based plastics.

Finished sample showing box stitching.

Production techniques

 Previously within my own fashion business ,I have set up a Jones brother industrial lock stitcher to back tack automatically 7 times, this created very strong products. Within the university fashion department I used similar machines however I needed to back tack without this automated system, after testing a tote bag i.e wearing and using it , I noticed some stitching un doing and concluded if in production this system wood be needed to maintain durability quality. I also chose to bag out my products which reduced the need to overlock each piece which in turn reduced the electricity use, however this process did mean I used more fabric. I believe durability increases a products life spam so even though it makes the carbon footprint higher valued, long term use would reduce it's impact on the environment.

While testing the tote bag I realised I would need to add a thick interfacing as  the straps became thin after a short period of time. This also made the straps more comfortable, increasing its functionality. One of my first criteria's for the tote bag was the length of the strap.I chose a length that made its wear ability dual purpose so it can be worn over the shoulder or hand held.
The size of the tote bag is also important,I chose two sizes, one medium to hold an A4 folder and books or small food shop.
Larger for more objects or larger shop with a button fastening.
The idea for a tote bag come from the desire to advertise the blight of the Antarctica ice melting and wildlife sanctuary which is currently needing to be much bigger than it is at the moment. Adding current environmental issues of concern to inform consumers on the impact single use plastics have on the earths ego system and wildlife. I chose the words " Quit Plastics" a reflection on addition problems as single use plastics is a convenience addiction( social behaviour normal due to super markets currently using plastic bags)
"Designing from the foundation of filling a functional need focuses the design process and ultimately makes for a superior finished product. Without a serious functional product that although it may look great,is difficult to rationalise as being in our line-ie"Who needs it?"(Choval,Y,2006:93)

In the planning : When planning a design scheme with deliverables(finished designs for a deadline)it's always a good idea to make a con-stringency plan, the what if it goes wrong plan, the Murphy's law plan. The answer is when you near the end of a project and you have a deadline looming more often than not panic sets in , you get stressed and the work starts to go wrong. Finishing a project to make sure it gets finished properly means leaving at least 4-6 weeks extra time for finishing .This of cause turns into no time left usually, never under estimate how long something will take.  If we look at the psychology of it all , the insight analysis and the cognitive science we can find answers to this problem.

The making process: Shears for accuracy of cutting.

Description errors described through psychology based research written in the book "The design of every day things by Donald .A.Norman explains how human error effects the design usability of every day things. Errors within the design of an object can effect it's suitability for use. In the same token these human errors can occur during the design progress.
Loss-of -activation errors is a prime example that occurred during my product developments especially during the print making processes, leaving processes out, or forgetting to put them in.for example a quote from "The design of everyday things" "loss-of activation errors I have to go to the bathroom before I start working in the dining room. I start going there and realise as I am walking that I have no idea why I am going there. knowing myself, I keep going, hoping that something in the bedroom will remind me...……. I get there but still cannot recall what I wanted...….. so I go back to the dining room. There I realise that my glasses are dirty. With great relief I go back to the bedroom, get my handkerchief and wipe my glasses clean. One of the more common slips is simply forgetting to do something."
Developing Lino Printing While first visiting the print room I was fascinated with the Lino card on entering the workshop and realising there was no need for industrial machinery I could develop Lino printing at home as an artisan crafter. Initially I used an inexpensive cutter and tested a repeat pebble pattern using limited skills. Once I realised you could purchase better tools a bought three different sizes which help my skills improve and quickened the process. However through my research I have noted that there are numerous Lino artist including the renowned artist

Inspired by Rebecca Bathory photography for lino cuts.

Professional Lino Cutters

Advanced Lino cutters helped with speed and technique.

Initial sketch for tote bag lino print.

Replica whale tooth 18th century curved imagery depicting whale ship inspired me to create a tote bag Lino print in a folkloric style.

Initial first large Lino design for tote bag, requires more accuracy of technique.

Also the size of the imagery can be increased so there is less background.

Lino printed onto up cycled newspaper printing paper.

I developed better lettering by printed of lettering from my computer and adapting them.


I wrote the lettering the right way then I traced it in the reverse by tracing onto baking crease proof paper turning it over to create the reverse and tracing it onto link.

Inked Lino for printing onto paper which was then scanned and turned into a screen print.

This is a better development than the previous, however one or two more Lino cuts like this would have improved the final outcome. Time scale prevented me from achieving this.

Angie Lewin Pebble Beach: A highly skilled Lino cutting print artist.

Researching current Lino artists. Angie Lewin is a well established print maker her limited edition prints sell for approx. £300. My Linos are very simplistic and a need to develop this technique of the coming years would maybe equate to a more improved technique.
Within my project samples, my ink developments link more to green design issues within material processes ending in a more sustainable process for designing.I researched extensively through Pinterest visual library to gain insight into contemporary visionaries within different aspects of my project (Appendix XIII)

Screen printed samples from Lino cut design.


Values and Ethics for Creative practice.

Ethical philosophy  within design imagery links to morality. Morality is a decision which out of it you get personal values giving you a sense of purpose that drives studio work and personal conduct. Empathy for others, the expansion of care, the wanting to give customers values within working practice. These were the reasons behind the narrative.As I have discussed in chapter one using textiles to articulate a cause to protect the environment using a tote bag can encourage user to in directly advertise and promote issues of ecology while wearing and shopping.    

The screen used to print onto fabric, taken from a traditional Lino print

    As describes in by Hazel Clarke "it becomes evident how design relies not only on methods and techniques, but also on fundamental ways of conceptualising and bringing about change and improvement in the world, this applies, or should apply, to textiles as it does to any other area of design. New approaches to textile design are predicted therefore not only on the 'how' and the 'what' of design but the 'why'. It can be argued that design in general is even more fundamental to human life in the twenty first century than ever before."( Jefferies.J.Wood Conroy.D.Clark.H 2018)

Green Issues In Design: Chapter I

                                                                                                          6

Chapter I.

Design Responsibilities

"By design, then, we do not mean a drawing made in his studio by the designer-a design for something-but rather the thing itself but with that drawing, the preceding idea of the thing and the succeeding process of manufacturer all implicit" Antony Bertram, Design in Everyday things: The BBC(1937). (Neil Maycroft(2018)University Lincoln handout sheet course MA Design)

While researching design responsible companies who have similar believes in eco conscious philosophy I discovered Patagonia who include Environmental issues within their design parameters. 

Patagonia insight : The outdoor clothing company and climbing gear founder Yvon Chouinard is a good example of how a business can consider an ethical business strategy. It turns over currently $230 Million and is known as one of the most environmentally responsible corporations on the Planet. 

In his own words "I realized that our crisis was a microcosm of what was going on all over the world. The world watch institute's state of the world report for that year 1991,stated "With annual output of 20 trillion, the global economy now produces in 17 days what took an entire year to generate in 1900"."Already,economic activity has breached numerous local, regional and global thresholds resulting in the spread of deserts, acidification of lakes and forests and the build up of green house gases. If growth proceeds along this line of recent decades it is only a matter of time before global systems collapse under pressure" ( Chouinard, Y(2006.)from Patogonia Inc founder and owner over  three decades ago ring true within today's climate changing world. One other interesting part of Patogonia is there investments in environmental grass roots conservationist activities(donating $22 trillion to environmental foundations since 1985).

Shopping the Eco Way. It is accurate to suggest that everything we purchase,own thats made will have an environmental impact , therefore one has to ask the question whether you are producers or consumers. Is this purchase necessary? Have I already got this? How can I impact less on the environment? If I am buying something how long will it last? How will I recycle it? when it wears  out or breaks.

Design Philosophy incorporating  ecology based issues can be used whenever a new design is being concepted, thought through and produced, they are guidelines and include updating and developing new strategies to improve eco conscious values of each product.

Including environmental ethics within a design manifesto is a useful design process to go through to encourage a symmetry of ethics which builds a design profile for each design creating a symbiosis  of choices to create cohesion for each design or range for each season.

The following design values and philosophy was developed for Patagonia inc and presented to the board by Jerry Mander (a member of the board of directors in 1991 an author and deep ecologist)

"Our Values: We begin with the premise that all life on Earth is facing a critical time, during which survivability will be the issue that increasingly dominates public concern. 

( Appendix IV.A full explanation)

Inspiration came from the mountains in Patagonia name

Early Patagonia Inc Smithy work

    

        Cultural and Social Philosophy

While researching traditional textiles and anthropology I have noticed how traditional cultures like to practice environmental sustaining practices within their environment for future seasons and for the future of their culture, i.e native American Indians, Inuit's ,Amazonian tribes and many more native cultures of the world. Unfortunately western society has not kept to these traditions and since the industrial revolution has been polluting the world. Because of this some designers and manufacturers have built in their own ethical philosophy.

The philosophy stated in appendix IV was created by Patagonia Inc to help build a brand and keep to their original outdoor ethical approach to life style choices that limits their carbon footprints as much as possible. 

The David Attenborough Effect

The new phrase which is moving through the media is "the Attenborough effect" since his most recent documentary series blue planet showing the devastation that plastic waste in our oceans is having on our wild life through societies views and reactions to his documentaries. This series has helped people to make better choices when purchasing products, re thinking their views on sustainability and environmentalism. The episodes showed a mother whale carrying her dead baby around for days(killed through plastic waste being consumed by the mother whale and it's effect on her milk production) baby birds eating plastic waste, coastlines full of pollution. Their are numerous action groups that have joining pages on the internet encouraging people to protect our oceans and prevent plastic waste.

A recent report by GlobalWebIndex shows that 53% of people surveyed in the US and UK have reduced their single use plastic over the last 12 months.

"Over the past year, the fight against plastic pollution has gained momentum around the world. More than 60 countries have taken action to restrict plastic production and consumption, major multinational companies have invested in alternatives, and ordinary people have spearheaded ocean clean-ups. And now the movement he helped to grow is driving fundamental change at legislative level. The UK government is currently consulting with plastic experts to develop polices to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic production, according to Geoff Brighty, the technical director of plastic Oceans. " It is has really crystallised in the government's mind that the public consciousness has moved to a place where we don't want it to affect our ecosystems,Brightly said"(GlobalCitizen.org by Joe McCarthy and Erica Sanchez .accessed 28/07/19). Appendix XV and Appendix XVII include market research on new emerging design innovations and predicted design future concepts.

Traditional collage was adapted using photoshop negative positive effect to use within tote bag lining. The pattern represents carbon footprints and the desire to save our environment.(my daughters foot print taken when she was a baby)

Hand made collage to create pattern repeat. I have since learnt how to pattern repeat using photoshop applications, however to gain initial concepts I still use my sketch book cut and glue to gain inspiration initially.

                                      Plastic Waste

Initial hand printing using old cast iron printing alphabet pieces used in old printing presses. Developed into a screen print to use as a slogan on the back of tote bags to encourage consumers to use less single use plastics.

There are a number of key debates occurring within our government including a white paper on the fashion industry and it's key effects on wastage and recycling of which can be read in full via the link Fashion and sustainability.

(https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/2311/231102.htm)

Fashion & sustainability

Recommendation 1

1.We want to see a thriving fashion industry in the UK that provides decent work, inspires creativity and contributes to the economic success of the UK. The fashion industry’s current business model is unsustainable, especially with growing populations and rising levels of consumption across the globe. Over-consumption and climate change are driving widespread environmental damage. The exploitative and linear business model for fashion must change. The various parts of the fashion industry must come together to set out their blueprint for a net zero emissions world. This will require reducing their carbon consumption back to 1990 levels. Given scientists’ stark warnings on climate change and biodiversity loss, we need to fix fashion. (Paragraph 22).(Appendix VI:Fashion and Sustainability white paper:Houses of parliament whitepaperUK)

One of the key pointers in todays society within global issues concerning product design is the plastic waste situation that is currently occurring at this moment and also the problem of all the plastic that has ever been produced is still on the planet, taking hundreds of years to decompose if ever!

 The pollution of our planets eco system and the fact that plastic can be found in every part of our oceans entering our food change and effecting climate change through the erosion of our natural habitat.Via the sequential removal of oxygenated plants and animals to effect draw down processes removing the reduction of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.Appendix IX contains a scientific paper on Marine Plastic pollution and current and future trends on plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans across the globe.

One of the key factors that scientists have recognised is the ever increasing rubbish dumps within key areas of our oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage dump, it's current size as big as Alaska or France.

   Below is a short clip showing and describing the Great Pacific Garbage Dump