Tuesday 28 March 2017
Reflection/Direction Sketches
Rather than focusing on one direct outcome that is informed by the research carried out for Studio Brief 01, the four distinct themes are going to be experimented with and designed. This will allow for the designs to be tested and therefore the most appropriate will be highlighted through feedback and self analysis.
Monday 27 March 2017
Direction Outcomes/Survey
After carrying out background research on plastic bags and recycling, 4 directions have been sketched/proposed as an outcome that coincides with Studio Brief 01.
One of the survey questions was; Do you recycle plastic bags through the use of a recycling bin? The highest percentage of answers given were that the respondents reuse their plastic bags. Plastic bags can be reused in a number of ways; shopping bag, as small bin liners, dog poo bags etc. Although it is positive that those are reusing plastic bags, their end result will still be in landfill. Through speaking to a number of students, a number of comments were made which focused on if plastic bags were more attractive, they would be more likely to reuse them. This is already done through the user of the larger, more durable 'bags for life' however it was expressed that individuals are reluctant to buy these bags due to the extra price. A way in which this could be overcome is that the smaller 5p bags are made to be more visually appealing so that people are happier to keep and reuse these bags. On the other hand, due to the material that these bags are made from, they have a limit to the number of times that bags can be reused. This is an equal argument however is something that could be visually explored.
One of the survey questions was; Do you recycle plastic bags through the use of a recycling bin? The highest percentage of answers given were that the respondents reuse their plastic bags. Plastic bags can be reused in a number of ways; shopping bag, as small bin liners, dog poo bags etc. Although it is positive that those are reusing plastic bags, their end result will still be in landfill. Through speaking to a number of students, a number of comments were made which focused on if plastic bags were more attractive, they would be more likely to reuse them. This is already done through the user of the larger, more durable 'bags for life' however it was expressed that individuals are reluctant to buy these bags due to the extra price. A way in which this could be overcome is that the smaller 5p bags are made to be more visually appealing so that people are happier to keep and reuse these bags. On the other hand, due to the material that these bags are made from, they have a limit to the number of times that bags can be reused. This is an equal argument however is something that could be visually explored.
Each of the outcomes have been discussed with a group of peers. Although there have been a number of critical comments over direction #4 in terms of it needing to be associated with a supermarket, it is an important direction to explore. This direction would have a larger distribution field due to it being associated to a supermarket company. On the other hand, the other directions are more open in terms of being applied to a number of different companies/businesses.
A Bag's Life
A Bag's Life is a public educational campaign that focuses on promoting the three R's; Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. The website is clearly laid out and has a number of varying research pages on recycling. As the campaign is based in America, some of the information is not relevant for different countries. However, the overall direction and attitude of the campaign is one to take notice of.
- Most of the text/tag lines are written in the first person. This is an example of personification and could be said to typically relate more to a younger audience. Moreover, this form of writing could also be said to engage with the audience more due to the level of personality that is created.
- Most of the text/tag lines are written in the first person. This is an example of personification and could be said to typically relate more to a younger audience. Moreover, this form of writing could also be said to engage with the audience more due to the level of personality that is created.
Saturday 25 March 2017
Printing on carrier bags
Through reading up on the printing process of plastic bags, it has been highlighted that another process used is through the use of an offset printer. This involves the design being made on a metal plate so that the ink can run over and then be printed onto the plastic. This is an efficient and fast way of printing a number of different designs. Although not identified to relate to all, this is one of the ways that a number of plastic carrier bags are printed. This could be one of the ways that the designs would be printed if they were to be commercially used.
Monday 20 March 2017
Plastic Bag Designs
There are a number of different materials and designs used for carrier bags. Polythene, woven polypropylene and canvas are three types of materials used to produce carrier bags. Each have variant positives and negatives as well as cost to purchase.
This is a standard example of a polythene carrier bag. The bag maintains the brand guidelines of Sainsbury's which is the largest displayed text on the bag.
This is another example of a plastic carrier bag. It is of a larger size and made of a more substantial material. As this bag is branded by ASDA, the colour scheme maintains the brand guideline colour palette. The flat minimalist design is of a grass like scene. Due to the nature of the design it does not particularly relate or attract a particular audience and is therefore appropriate for the mixed target audience that shop at the supermarket.
The above canvas and woven polypropylene bags are bought at a higher cost that the other plastic carrier bags. The higher cost comes from the more durable material that is used and therefore means that they can be used numerous times without breaking or damage. Each of the designs, again, are minimalist and therefore appeal to the wider target audience. All but the tesco bag emphasise the quality/positives of the bag which are demonstrated visually/through wording.
Plastic Bags
Biodegradable materials
- Modern bags are made of vegetable-based bioplastics. This form of bag can decay organically and therefore prevents a build-up of toxic plastic bags in landfills and natural environments. Bags can also be made from degradable polyethylene film or from polylactic acid, a biodegradable polymer derived from lactic acid. Although these forms of bag are less toxic and more environmentally friendly they do not readily decompose in sealed landfill. To ensure that biodegradable plastic bags are efficient and successful in decomposing, they must be kept separate from conventional plastic recycle systems.
- Biodegradable plastics are plastics that decomposed by the action of living organism, typically being bacteria.
Environmental concerns
- Do not break down easily and therefore are a risk to wildlife and pollution
- Due to their high durability, they can take centuries to decompose
- One of the most prevalent types of litter in inhabited areas
Most plastic shopping bags are not accepted by curbside recycling programs and are therefore not recycled. This is due to the problems that can be caused when sorting through the plastics - clogging up wheels or belts, as well as being confused for paper and therefore contaminating the pulp that is later produced. Many larger supermarket stores offer recycling facilities however this is not largely publicised and therefore many are not aware of this facility.
This highlights how environmentally unfriendly plastic bags are however how very easily they can be recycled in an effective and therefore efficient way. Many UK households are under the illusion that if they put the plastic bags in the recycling bin then they will be recycled. However, this is only the case in some locations and depends heavily on the facilities that the council have. If the public were made more aware of the facilities that larger supermarkets have in recycling the plastic carrier bags that they sell and give to their customers, then this would widely contribute to the recycling of the plastic. This would in turn, reduce the amount of plastic bags in landfill and therefore reducing the negative environmental effects.
- Modern bags are made of vegetable-based bioplastics. This form of bag can decay organically and therefore prevents a build-up of toxic plastic bags in landfills and natural environments. Bags can also be made from degradable polyethylene film or from polylactic acid, a biodegradable polymer derived from lactic acid. Although these forms of bag are less toxic and more environmentally friendly they do not readily decompose in sealed landfill. To ensure that biodegradable plastic bags are efficient and successful in decomposing, they must be kept separate from conventional plastic recycle systems.
- Biodegradable plastics are plastics that decomposed by the action of living organism, typically being bacteria.
Environmental concerns
- Do not break down easily and therefore are a risk to wildlife and pollution
- Due to their high durability, they can take centuries to decompose
- One of the most prevalent types of litter in inhabited areas
Most plastic shopping bags are not accepted by curbside recycling programs and are therefore not recycled. This is due to the problems that can be caused when sorting through the plastics - clogging up wheels or belts, as well as being confused for paper and therefore contaminating the pulp that is later produced. Many larger supermarket stores offer recycling facilities however this is not largely publicised and therefore many are not aware of this facility.
This highlights how environmentally unfriendly plastic bags are however how very easily they can be recycled in an effective and therefore efficient way. Many UK households are under the illusion that if they put the plastic bags in the recycling bin then they will be recycled. However, this is only the case in some locations and depends heavily on the facilities that the council have. If the public were made more aware of the facilities that larger supermarkets have in recycling the plastic carrier bags that they sell and give to their customers, then this would widely contribute to the recycling of the plastic. This would in turn, reduce the amount of plastic bags in landfill and therefore reducing the negative environmental effects.
Monday 13 March 2017
Recycling Posters
One direction to take with producing a response informed by the content of studio brief 01 is to design a series of posters informing the audience of; recycling facts and figures, what they can do to do more and improve recycling, what happens if you recycle.
The use of minimalist line drawings of the objects that the poster is focusing on adds modern and current appearance to the designs. This keeps the design appropriate to a larger target audience, as well as having a direct informative purpose. This is further reinforced through the use of flat CMYK colours. To attract a younger target audience, a tv character has been used in the design. This is an element of recognition for younger children and therefore draws their attention to the poster.
The above posters feature facts that focus on what can be saved through recycling. Although the facts are not what you would typically expect and the majority of viewers would be unaware of, they lack the incentive that is required for an individual to change their behaviour.
The First Mile:
This poster has similar characteristics to the first, with simple line drawings being used to display the product using a mix of secondary and tertiary colours. Again, the simple use of illustration and therefore design relates to a varied household audience. This is demonstrated through the clear and cohesive layout of the design.
Screen Printing Machine For Polybag Printing
This video demonstrates how the process of screen printing can be used to print text/imagery onto plastic bags. Although this may not be the most efficient methods of commercial printing, it is a route to explore to demonstrate the final outcome for the brief.
Saturday 11 March 2017
Plastic Bag Campaign
Break The Bag Habit
This is a campaign that was organised by Surfers Against Sewage, before the 5p charge came into place in October 2015. The photography that they have used for the campaign advertising are abstract representations of sea wildlife. Due to the more fine art photography approach that they have taken, the images are intriguing to the eye without being too ambiguous that the audience is unaware of the representation that is being made. This campaign is also another example of using photography to respond to an environmental problem.
Wednesday 8 March 2017
Adbusters
Adbusters is a not-for-profit organisation who were researched in relation to the essay question being addressed. Due to the nature of the organisation, they have a very specific audience who actively follow and support the content that is produced. Some characterize them as 'anti-capitalists' due to their 'subvertisements' that spoof popular advertising campaigns such as Calvin Klien. They are also known for their culture jamming approaches to design/campaigns.
Using their unique approach at mockery towards the large scale advertising campaign by Calvin Klien, Adbusters produced a series of responses to the advertisements. It could be pointed out that Adbusters are equally voyeuristic as Calvin Klien due to using the same style of fashion portraiture photography.
Using their unique approach at mockery towards the large scale advertising campaign by Calvin Klien, Adbusters produced a series of responses to the advertisements. It could be pointed out that Adbusters are equally voyeuristic as Calvin Klien due to using the same style of fashion portraiture photography.
From researching more into the design that Adbusters produce and from gaining a better understanding of how they are categorized in the world of design, it is evident that they maintain a target audience who believe in and support their way of working. This target audience therefore has expectations from the design produced, giving the aesthetics/nature of the work required qualities.
Monday 6 March 2017
Leeds City Council
This is a leaflet received by the residents of Leeds from Leeds City Council. The leaflet maintains a minimal design with a saturated green used in contrast against a larger space of black. This gives the design a clean and modern appearance, making it appeal to a wider audience. Demonstrating to the audience what objects can be recycled and remade into creates an incentive for individuals to recycle This is due to the unusual/extravagant examples that they have given. For example, you would not typically think that a can can be recycled and made into the materials used to build a car. These examples are demonstrated through the use of a fold in the leaflet, creating an innovative and interesting piece of design.
Plastic Bags
The Grocery Box Company Ltd 2014
- It is estimated that the average family will spend £40-£60 on plastic bags each year
- Plastic bags have a bio-degradable period of 1,000 years
- The brown paper bag has a degradable period of approx 1 month
- Plastic bags are the cause of death from 1million + sea birds per year
- 100,000 dolphins, sharks, turtles and Whales are also killed due to plastic bag waste
- Can be made into park benches, decking, fences and playground equipment if recycled
abagslife.com
A Bags Life - Reduce. Recycle. Reuse. - American company
- Public educational campaign that unites non-profits, community and government organisations around the common goal for promoting the three R's
- Reduce - bring your own bags to the shop. This saves money as well as being better for the environment
- Recycle - many larger supermarket shops have the facilities to collect plastic bags which they then recycle. - Many councils do not collect or separate plastic bags from other recycling and therefore the bags are less recycled that what is possible!
- Reuse - reusing the plastic bags in a variety of ways keeps them out of landfill and stops more plastic bags being in circulation
gov.uk
- The law requires large shops in England to charge 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags - The reason behind this is to discourage the use of plastic bags and to encourage people to reuse bags
- Retailers who have 250 or more employees are required to charge their customers for a plastic bag
- To avoid being charged, bring your own bags!
- Bags for life are typically more expensive, but they can be reused until they are worn out and then replaced when returned to supermarket
- In 2014 over 7.6 billion single-use plastic bags were given to customers by large supermarkets in England
- That translates to 140 bags per person
- Money from 5p charge does not go to government
- Retailers are expected to donate proceeds to a good cause but this is up to them
- Retails are required to report what the money received is used for
Over the next 10 years, the benefits of the scheme will include
- an expected overall benefit of £780 million + to UK economy
- £730 million raised for good causes
- £60 million savings in litter clean-up costs
- carbon savings of £13 million
Researching plastic bags has given me a greater understanding of the facts and figures around the selling and use of plastic carrier bags. This is a product that could benefit the use of effective graphic design.
- It is estimated that the average family will spend £40-£60 on plastic bags each year
- Plastic bags have a bio-degradable period of 1,000 years
- The brown paper bag has a degradable period of approx 1 month
- Plastic bags are the cause of death from 1million + sea birds per year
- 100,000 dolphins, sharks, turtles and Whales are also killed due to plastic bag waste
- Can be made into park benches, decking, fences and playground equipment if recycled
abagslife.com
A Bags Life - Reduce. Recycle. Reuse. - American company
- Public educational campaign that unites non-profits, community and government organisations around the common goal for promoting the three R's
- Reduce - bring your own bags to the shop. This saves money as well as being better for the environment
- Recycle - many larger supermarket shops have the facilities to collect plastic bags which they then recycle. - Many councils do not collect or separate plastic bags from other recycling and therefore the bags are less recycled that what is possible!
- Reuse - reusing the plastic bags in a variety of ways keeps them out of landfill and stops more plastic bags being in circulation
gov.uk
- The law requires large shops in England to charge 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags - The reason behind this is to discourage the use of plastic bags and to encourage people to reuse bags
- Retailers who have 250 or more employees are required to charge their customers for a plastic bag
- To avoid being charged, bring your own bags!
- Bags for life are typically more expensive, but they can be reused until they are worn out and then replaced when returned to supermarket
- In 2014 over 7.6 billion single-use plastic bags were given to customers by large supermarkets in England
- That translates to 140 bags per person
- Money from 5p charge does not go to government
- Retailers are expected to donate proceeds to a good cause but this is up to them
- Retails are required to report what the money received is used for
Over the next 10 years, the benefits of the scheme will include
- an expected overall benefit of £780 million + to UK economy
- £730 million raised for good causes
- £60 million savings in litter clean-up costs
- carbon savings of £13 million
Researching plastic bags has given me a greater understanding of the facts and figures around the selling and use of plastic carrier bags. This is a product that could benefit the use of effective graphic design.
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