Creativity and Innovation Practice Activity

Creative response to an environmental issue

Scenario

Seas, beaches and rivers are now a constant source of plastic pollution, where items from takeaway food, drink and general consumption are playing an ever-increasing role in the stream of litter that affects our waterways. Research, published in the journal Nature Sustainability concluded: ‘In terms of litter origins, take-out consumer items – mainly plastic bags and wrappers, food containers and cutlery, plastic and glass bottles, and cans – made up the largest share.’

(Carrington, 2021)

With just 10 plastic products contributing to 75% of all items found to be polluting our main water sources, consumers are evermore encouraged to stem the source of single use plastic and to reuse, recycle and seek alternatives wherever possible.

‘About 11m tonnes of plastic enter the seas each year, and without drastic action, this amount could nearly triple by 2040. Most plastic packaging is used only once, and just 14% is collected for recycling every year, with tens of billions of dollars’ worth of plastic packaging material lost to the economy.’

(ocean.economist.com)

However, individuals have the power to not only contribute but to control change! Through choices of consumption, materials used and the opportunity to recycle wherever possible, entrepreneurs and designers have the ability to change the design process at the source.

With plastic pollution being a global issue that requires a creative and collective contribution, designers now, more than ever before, have an unprecedented opportunity to change their designs and products for the better. Being a designer is an exciting opportunity and is a chance to re-think the design relationship between waste and developing new solutions to the plastic problem. By using waste as a resource, not only does it remove elements of plastic waste from the environment, it provides designers with brand new resources at their disposal. Upcycling plastic waste in the form of new material is an exciting and creative opportunity for all designers to contribute to reducing plastic waste and their own impact on the environment.

With brand partnerships such as Adidas x Parley designing and producing footwear made from ocean plastic and eco designers such as Sarah Turner making artwork, sculptures and lighting from recycled materials, there is a growing industry associated with reusing and repurposing our waste plastic. This ‘design for good’ industry has never been so important, ecologically, sustainably, morally and economically. As Wales expands on its success of limiting single use plastic, expansion in this design market could further help Wales to meet the goal of becoming a carbon zero economy. As designers, makers and creative experts, the future of sustainable design is in your hands!

You have been given the opportunity to design and produce an item of your choice from recyclable or found materials.

Testing Specific Skills

3.1 – Generate ideas independently.

3.3 – Make connections between different information in order to support outcomes.

3.4 – Use creative thinking to analyse information  and ideas.

3.5 – Consider the feasibility in implementing ideas  and outcomes.

3.7 – Explore, refine, adapt, and develop appropriate  ideas and outcomes.

3.8 – Develop innovative communications that are  appropriate to the audience.

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Task 3

Task 3–4

Task 2–4

Tasks

1. Describe at least three initial ideas of items you could produce. Select and justify your preferred idea by considering feasibility, creativity, and safety.

How could you draw up and demonstrate your ideas? For example, SCAMPER, blue sky thinking, mind mapping.

This is the start of your artefact development record. Record each step of designing and developing the final outcome, remembering to analyse and evaluate the process as you progress. This should include both images and text to demonstrate innovative communications.

2. Make connections between different information and ideas to produce some initial designs for your item. Collaborate with others to gather feedback on your ideas before moving forward with a single design.

How could you gather feedback that informs your design choices? How could you present and record your design choices?

3. Use creative thinking to analyse all your information and ideas to develop the final design for your item. You will need to consider material choices, environmental factors, the safe working practices and the feasibility of your idea. You should refine, adapt and develop your ideas as you progress.

How could you further record your design intentions and practical application, taking into account materials and processes?