Mid-semester degree project summation

As we've crossed the half way marker for this semester, I find that I have not gotten past the half way marker on my project yet. But I have gone down a couple different paths so far.

First, I was fairly certain that I'd be making some kind of label that would go on to packages to allow the consumer to compare and contrast different products and their sustainability ratings. I have been developing icons to describe different sustainability issues that could span a variety of products and materials. I am still wrestling with the form of the label, though.

Secondly, I organized my research and began developing a form that designers could use as a sustainability scorecard to refer to while choosing materials and suppliers for their solutions. This information could be used to determine a products sustainability rating label.

I've also been sketching out ideas for alternative ways to package existing products that would turn the packaging itself into a useful product. I've also been examining ways to reduce the use of plastics in packaging.

I think where I need to go from here is dig into something and really go for it. I need to stop hesitating and not be afraid to fail while making things. I think that's what's stopped me from getting further already is that chance of failure. I should begin translating these package ideas into 3d models and narrow down the focus on how to curate my case study.

ICONS!!!!

here's my icon system I've worked up over the last day. see if you can guess what sustainability issues each one represents, then check the comments section to see my intent.

degree project: research experiment prompts

I approached brainstorming for my research experiments for my degree project as hypothetical statements starting with the phrase "what if..."

What if:

...the government made designers put a sustainability "nutrition facts" label on all their packaging solutions?

...designers could no longer use petroleum based plastics in their design solutions?*

...every package had a life beyond the shelf?*

...There was a free resource to help designers grade their packaging against and obtain a green score/standard?

...people knew the truth about the "recycle" symbol and plastics? (dispel common misconception that plastics w/ "triangular" recycle symbol are made from recycled materials)

*denotes prompts requiring more information (ex. mindmaps, lists, etc.) to be posted.