Explore the possibility of green design from the perspective of materials, technology and design?

From Shanghai to Beijing and the upcoming 46 pilot cities, from Britain, the United States, Japan and South Korea to Douyin and CCTV consumption propositions, "garbage classification" has begun to take root in the hearts of the people. Although we will still "talk about garbage discoloration", more attention will be paid to "how can we carry out more efficient garbage classification"?

But the actual problem is obviously not something we can discuss when we sit in the office and blow the air conditioner, but this does not mean that we can only "stand by" outside Shanghai and Beijing ".

At least, what do I think designers can do?

The ultimate goal of garbage classification is not to find the best "home" for each kind of garbage as a "matchmaker", clamoring to urge them to marry, and it is over; the ultimate goal of garbage classification is to return the city, the country and the "green mountains and green waters" of this planet, so that the "green life" can continue.

We who have enjoyed the convenience of science and technology are naturally unable to return to the "pastoral pastoral" of the past, which requires us to take into account the nature and protection of the environment while pursuing the convenience of science and technology; the protection of the environment is somewhat general, and green life is not practical, but from now on "Green design" is what we can do.

What is green design?

While pursuing technology, fashion and function, we should try our best to reduce the waste of resources and damage to the environment, and design products with more "affinity value.

Let's discuss the operability of "green design" from the three categories of materials, technology and design.



(1)
New materials
○

Since the existing production conditions breed too much garbage, new materials with more environmental protection value are naturally the first choice.

"Cheer Project" creates new applications and possibilities with the help of natural adhesives and waxes by shredding the fibers that separate pine needles. This rich and unwanted material has the opportunity to develop into 100% bio-based and biodegradable composite materials.

This is a solution to plastic problems in a specific environment through the "perfect" integration of process, design and engineering.



②
Substitute material
○

Although hundreds of mainstream fashion brands have chosen to abandon animal fur in recent years, leather is still an irreplaceable material in furniture, backpacks and clothing industries.

furf Design Studio used a kind of leather made of plant leaves in the recent fall of the series seat design: it is not mixed with any fibers, polymers and chemicals during the production process, which not only maintains the natural beauty of the original texture of the leaves At the same time, it can absorb the carbon dioxide emitted during the production process under photosynthesis.

Compared with ordinary artificial leather, leaf leather is not only environmentally friendly and degradable, but also has similar characteristics and strong air permeability and comfort with natural leather.



(3)
Symbolic material
○

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch designed by Tokujin Yoshioka is a perfect work of materials, technology and design.

The torch is based on recycled metal used in temporary housing units created after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. Olympic medals are also recycled metal obtained from e-waste across the country.

Of course, the role of the torch itself is limited, but the use of recycled metal combined with cherry blossoms has exploded with extraordinary symbolic significance.



④
Innovative processing
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In a world where gloss, matte, and metal finishes dominate, Burnt Stool's charred finish is particularly unique. It is a natural gradient.

3D printing has existed for some time, but it was once popular. Japanese design studios ReDeStu decided to use it to make soy sauce dishes. Once you fill it up, you will "get" a picture.

Although this scorching process is not necessarily applicable to all scenes, it also has certain creative space by combining high-temperature muskets and wax dripping. As for the soy sauce dish printed in 3D, 3D printing determines that the product is full of imagination in structure and shape.



⑤
Tissue growth
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Made of BPA Free Silicone, a single pull of the Que bottle can change it from 8 ounces (250 ml) to 20 ounces (600 ml), which is easy to carry.

The Extendable Flatpack paper bed is completely made of paper and adopts an accordion folding mechanism, which can stretch and fold the bed when needed. It is only 100mm thick when folded.

This "growth" product can meet the needs of use in multiple scenarios. Although its options are limited, each option guarantees the maximum use space.



⑥
Personal modulation
○

Cleanyst are trying to break the current situation of traditional shampoo, shower gel, hand sanitizer, liquid detergent, dishwashing liquid and other 80% purified water 20% chemicals, and use a coffee-like production process to mix household care products.

Cleanyst can even add essential oils to the mixture to create a special mixture that can be easily made into a lemon-flavored tableware cleaner or lavender hand-washed.

Although Cleanyst cannot replace things such as drinks, it can replace most hand washing in the toilet. Put an end to plastic waste in the toilet.



⑦
allogeneic
○

The Les Angles structural seats designed by Sté phanieMarin are made of 100% wool fabrics and include different elements of different functions (such as backrests, cushions, etc.);Les Angles can be arranged on the floor or even on the wall to make the room look almost vibrant.

Fibonacci sideboards designed by Riccardo Nobilini form different compartments based on Fibonacci sequence.

This allogeneic design breaks through the dogmatism of the original product, either giving the product a new definition or giving it a new order; it makes the monotonous product more possible.



⑧
Modularity
○

Anupria Singh's Quadraopus is specially designed for small apartments, from shelves to tables, and even benches with armrests, she can simply match to meet your basic needs-shoe racks, storage, seats and tables.

The O-Table jointly designed by Jeongho Ko,Hyoungseop Kim,Heesoo Kim and Youngjik Lee can be transformed into more than 20 kinds of small or large devices. Unique design elements make each structure so eye-catching.

This modular design determines the basic elements, can simply adapt to various results or match other elements, and has super expansibility.



⑨
Multifunctional
○

The Hush, designed by Freyja Sewell, can quickly change the form to obtain quiet and private personal space.

Stéphane Leathead the flying fish chair Exocet Chair designed in Designarium.

This kind of multifunctional design has little praise in materials and craftsmanship, but it is quite eye-catching in design, with strong external characteristics and a desire for multi-form expression.

If new materials, alternative materials and symbolic materials are based on the most basic elemental materials of design, the possibility of green design is explored in the fields of green, degradation and recyclability.

Then innovative processing, organizational growth and personal modulation are to explore new production methods from the perspective of technology, minimize pollution and waste, and try to change consumers' aesthetic literacy on this basis.

As for allogeneization, modularity and multi-function, it is from the perspective of product design to seek more possibilities for the product to extend under the premise of satisfying its own functions, so that the product has sufficient usage scenarios.

Although the latter two are not directly related to green design, their idea of avoiding waste and tapping more potential from the perspective of technology and design is green design.

It can be seen that green design is not only "pollution-free" in materials, but also "more appropriate" in technology and "multithreading" in design ".

Then, green design can be defined in this way: in the limited life cycle of the product with less industrial pollution to bring greater functional use value, and the difference is brought about by more "subtle" creative design.

PS: Some picture materials come from @ yankodesign @ dezeen @ design addiction