30th November task

1) suggest 3 ways in which you might minimise your materials use with your package. 


• Only use necessary materials, don’t use extra or more just to make it look good.

• Make your packaging out of off cuts if possible.

• Make a second use for your packaging but don’t be too extravagant with the use of materials.

2) what two things might you yourself do to lessen your own carbon footprint in the future?

• As I do a lot of driving, I will minimize this whenever possible. e.g. walk, cycle or use public transport more.

• Make more of an effort to recycle even more and use more recycled products.

3) Describe 1 example of information display that you saw while at CAT: What it was, how it was presented graphically and in what context [i.e. covered area, out in the open, specialist display etc]. Could the display you saw be improved and how do you think this could be  achieved?

• I noticed the signage on the straw bail theatre was quite nice. I think it would benefit from a bit of an update as its not actually that noticeable when your there. I also think it would show off what the building is, maybe include some information about the building separately. E.g it was one of the first buildings to be erected and its made out of straw bails etc.

On a general note about the signage around the whole centre, I found that there was no consistency throughout the signage; it was a bit of a miss match. Possibly incorporate their branding into the signage and a consistent layout and shape etc.

Cool reusable things found at CAT

While looking around the gift shop at CAT I found this bird feeder and watering can, used from the metal frame and inserting a used water bottle. I thought this was a cool way of creating a delay in the recycling process!

Bird box with screws

I found this bird box in the gift shop at the CAT trip, it clearly uses screws so i feel this is proof that its a sustainable resource.

How to recycle screws, nails and hinges.

Obviously if i create this packaging design out of wood i don't want to use any glues so my only other option is screws, nails and hinges. I cant do this unless i find out how these can be recycled. I have done a lot of research on various sites etc and found these potential outcomes...

• Sell/ donate them as scrap (to be reused).

• Re-use them myself.

• Donate them to schools or colleges for re-use.

I think this over comes the problem as i now no what can be done with them, maybe a note on the actual design can reinforce this to the consumer.

Printing on wood

I have researched the techniques of printing onto wood. I have found one process where you can print onto a sheet through an inkjet print to then transfer this onto the wood after. But as you are using an inkjet printer it doesn't allow you to use vegetable or soy based inks, something i feel important. I have therefore contacted a couple of wood printing companies to see if this process is possible and have also asked them for a rough quote, hopefully this will give me an insight into weather this can be achived. If not it is possible that I can create my packaging out of recycled, strong cardboard. Although i'm quite intrigued to use the process of wood packaging from what I have learned during the CAT trip!


Below is the email i sent to the wood printing companies found ... 


"Hi Mark,

Im currently doing a project at uni where i'm creating a beer package out of wood. I was wondering if you were able to print on this?

and what type of wood can you print on, Weather you can print on it using vegetable inks and how much it would roughly cost? If you

could get back to me i'd be extremely grateful

Many thanks

Claire"

New concept - Pint saver money box

After the CAT trip i was really interested about the idea of using wood as a sustainable material for my design. I was also thinking about alternative uses and thought of using my design to make a delay in the recycling process. My idea was to turn my packaging into a 'pint saver money box'. There will be three slots at the top and three compartment at the bottom where the money falls into. There will also be a small chart down the side of the packaging idicating how many pints you've saved. Here are my concept designs ...

CAT trip

Here are some photos from our visit to CAT last wednesday. I found it quite a useful trip, and found out a bit more about sustainable materials which has in-fact influenced my designs.

Above are images of a lecture room. Its a sustainable building
made from soil built up in layers. It collects heat during the day
and releases it again at night.

Here is a close up of the soil wall,  you can see its
build up of layers.

This is a remote controlled movable solid blind,
they move it to create light and also an alternative
way of ventilation, windows open at the top to
let heat escape.

Large south facing windows to let in sunlight
to fill the room so electric light isn't needed and used
on a very rare basis.

This buildings structure is purely made from timber (wood)
with render over some parts. A few finishes are used
to prevent weathering. I learnt on this trip that using wood is a
really sustainable resource. Instead of setting the wood on fire or
letting it rot (releasing carbon dioxide into the environment), If used
in another way, this delays the recycle process and stops carbon
dioxide being released into the environment. Basically capturing the
chemicals into the enabling them to escape. 

Solar panels are used to generate electricity for all of the
buildings. This is stored over the summer and then used during
the winter. They even had energy left over!

This is a toilet block, again made from wood.
Although it is rotting at the moment so a new
one is needed!

This building is made from hay bails! A metal
support is used to keep it together with rendering
over the top to keep it watertight, the hay bails are
also a great use for insulation.