Solution

When was the last time you survived the whole day without using your smartphone? I am sure that this is possible, but why would you get rid of such a helpful thing in your daily life? Smartphones are our new 80th organ but external – yet.

In my project I present you a set of technological jewelry with a shoe insert that generates power while you walk. An easy and effortless way to accumulate an energy which you can use later to power your phone or do it while walking, if you want.

Project Description

In my project I wanted to comment on our relationship with electronic devices that make our lives easier. We are surrounded by technology everywhere and the number of devices is only growing.

We see more and more objects that have worked perfectly fine without any additional functions, such as self-made beds that have a special mechanism to even out the linen after we wake up. Some of these ideas seem to be unreasonable to introduce into our daily lives. I thought to myself that we use a lot of electricity to recharge every electronic device that is sometimes not the first object needed to survive the day.

What would happen if we could only use electronics if the power to charge it came from our body? If we are so dependent on them, maybe it is time to make them dependent on us? How would this way of charging affect the amount of time spent in front of our smartphone if we had to walk for 4 hours to produce enough power to fully power our phone?

Overview of the Solution

After huge research about our relationship with technology and a rapid increase in the number of devices we use, I began to think about the amount of energy this electronics requires. I wanted to start a conversation about this issue. I decided I had to narrow down my analysis on one example to make it easier for the audience to understand. I chose a tool that everyone has in their pocket – a smartphone. It has become an extension of ourselves. Thanks to its sensors, constant connection to the Internet and software that every user can adapt to himself, it is an object that allows us to perform new activities. It is a tool without which it is difficult to imagine functioning. It has become part of our bodies – without it, we feel isolated, stressed, anxious, and even have mental disorders. If our relationship with phones is so strong, there may be a way to make them dependent on us. If they have become so important that we can easily call them a new organ, then maybe we should feed them the energy we will produce – analytically to the way our organs are fed by our bodies. We keep losing that energy without feeling it – we produce heat, move and breathe all the time. I wanted to find a way to accumulate this energy, which we lose anyway during our everyday activities.

I found piezoelectricity, which is a simple and affordable component that produces energy while pumping. This is the main part of my project. I design a shoe insole that produces energy while walking. Additional electronic components prepare and stabilize the electrical energy to the correct voltage so the battery can be charged.

I wanted to offer a solution that combines with tradition, known and familiar behaviors such as decorating your body with jewelry and makeup. This allows you to tame people distrustful of technology with a new proposal.

Besides the topic of the huge consumption of electricity, I wanted to start a conversation about the role of technology. The development of technology has made it easier for man to master the earth on such a scale as we see today. Our creations adapt to the external environment to our needs. As the only species, we are able to oppose the conditions of nature by our minds. This solution can be scaled for bigger surfaces so the energy that we need to consume can be made for “free”.

Solution

Coop is the largest retailer of consumer goods in Denmark. To contribute to their sustainable vision of the future and their fight against food waste, we created the +BOX. The +BOX is a consumer subscription on the product surplus of Coop. This means that consumers can order a box online, which will be delivered at home containing products that would otherwise be thrown away by Coop.

Project Description

Coop is the largest retailer of consumer goods in Denmark. To contribute to their sustainable vision of the future and their fight against food waste, we created the +BOX. The +BOX is a consumer subscription on the product surplus of Coop. This means that consumers can order a box online, which will be delivered at home containing products that would otherwise be thrown away by Coop.

Overview of the Solution

Yearly as much as ⅓ of food is thrown away globally, but not only throwing away this food is a problem also the production is a large environmental issue. It takes the landmass to grow all the food that will eventually end up in the trash. The landmass that had to be deforested and soil that had to be degraded in order to grow products we end up never using. Together with Coop Denmark, we wanted to fight this food waste by creating a sustainable solution focused on millennials living in Copenhagen. Throughout the human-centered design process, we created the +BOX, a small initiative that also could be implemented on a larger scale. The +BOX is a consumer subscription on the product surplus of Coop. This means that consumers can order a box online, which will be delivered at home containing products that would otherwise be thrown away by Coop.

Based on desk research, surveys and generative techniques we saw that our target group of Millennials value sustainability, but also efficiency, value for money and easy planning of grocery shopping. To make sure it fits the needs of the target group, we altered the solution to meet them. The consumers only have to set up a subscription once and can decide how frequently they want the box and if they would like to have a standard, vegetarian or vegan box. Together with the +BOX comes a recipe and a list of products, to provide inspiration on what to do with the products inside and makes planning around the products easier. Additionally, the price is accessible, as we found out that millennials do care about how much they spent on groceries. The desirability of the service has been tested through a prototype with potential customers in Copenhagen, that have confirmed the interest in ordering the product.

The delivery of the boxes is done in a smart way, through cargo bikes. The route of the delivery is being designed in an optimal way, so the usage of energy is the lowest possible. By getting it delivered home, we help people being sustainable in an effortless way.

To encourage and inform the consumers about their fight against food waste, they will have access to data about their previous purchases through the profile on the Coop.dk website. On this profile, they can see how many boxes they already received and an estimate of how many kilograms of products they already saved and in that way contributed to the environment.

Solution

This thin but resistant bioplastic made from the agave plant fiber, which is the main waste element of the Tequila industry, aims to make a positive change in the plastic and fashion industry. Not only because it’s a new sustainable material, but also by creating conscience about the massive consumption issue in the textile world.

Project Description

This bioplastic is characterized by its strength, its flexibility and its 100% natural and biodegradable composition. The thin agave fiber film is capable of being molded, sewn and even screen printed, being a potential element for the textile industry.

Overview of the Solution

The excessive consumption of single-use plastics is no secret. Only in Mexico, there is a production of more than 300 million tons of plastics each year, of which just 3% is being recycled. As a desperate measure, the government of Mexico City applied a new law on January 1, 2020, which prohibits the commercialization, distribution and delivery of plastic bags in any type of trade. As we have only a few alternatives to plastic, my project proposes to look for this alternative in the agave plant, which is used massively for the production of Tequila. This multi-million-dollar industry produces almost 96 million liters annually, leaving 289 million tons of bagasse, of which 30% is discarded.

This material, which is only perceived as waste, is the perfect bonding component to create as thin but resistant layer of bioplastic, similar to PVC. Therefore, I chose to focus on its possible use in the textile industry, aiming to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bags through a fusion of fashion and everyday plastic use. Still, the goal of the project is not only to reduce, but also to raise awareness among consumers encouraging a dialogue between the consumed products and a sustainable idea of fashion.

Solution

Algator is a bioreactor for home-grown algae. Some species of algae can solve problems of future foods, responding to the population growth and the need for healthy and sustainable food sources. The device allows the owner to participate in a growing process and be closer to nature. Its appearance, which is similar to kitchen supplies, suggests the edible aspect of the jug content. Hidden electronic components ensure an appropriate environment for algae.

Project Description

Algator provides algae with the right conditions for growing through the use of electronic components that control the temperature, lighting, water movement and aeration. The device is partly automatic, but gives the user a possibility of feeding and caring for living organisms. When starting the cultivation, distilled water and nutrients are put into the jug while the temperature, light, and aeration are set to pour the algae starter culture. The jug, which is a well-known shape, makes this device friendly and suggestive of a kitchen appliance. This helps to get used to the idea of ​​eating algae. The cork base conceals electronic components and elevates the jug so that the beauty of these unusual organisms can be observed. The materials are ecological and provide the right properties – isolation and water resistance. Algator electronics system is only made of necessary components, which makes it energy efficient and sustainable.

Overview of the Solution

Algator was created from my fascination with algae. These organisms play a vital role in ecosystems, produce half of the oxygen on Earth, and might be crucial for a sustainable future as an energy source in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, in water remediation, as a fertilizer, animal feed and they can serve as the food of the future for the growing human population. Nutrients content and ecological cultivation make them healthy, sustainable source of food. Algator enables people to grow algae at home and helps them get to know these often underappreciated organisms. People on different diets can benefit from algae species – those on a vegan diet can supplement vitamin B12, others, on a meat diet, will benefit from plant-based micronutrients.

One of the reasons behind this project is to allow users to be closer to nature, which is achieved by allowing for individual cultivation at home. I designed the shape of the device, which is friendly and familiar. We can easily imagine it on the countertop. Due to similarity with kitchen devices, I wanted to highlight the edible purpose of Algator, and encourage people to eat and grow algae. The device provides algae with the right conditions for growing through the use of electronic components that control the temperature (the Peltier plate, radiator, and temperature sensor), lighting (the LEDs and light sensor), and water movement and aeration (the pump).

The second group of components is responsible for the proper functioning of the machine (the microcomputer, relays, etc.) while the third group enables the controlling of the growing process (the screen and button). The device is partly automatic, but gives the user a possibility of feeding and caring for the living organisms. The bioreactor has a capacity of 3l to provide an ergonomic weight. Its 31 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter make it very handy. The materials are selected to provide sustainable properties. The double walls of the glass jug insulate water, reducing power consumption. Cork oak bark is obtained without harming the tree, it is hydrophobic, resistant to biological corrosion and easy to form by pressing cork granules.

The project was developed in consultation with specialists and relied on my practical knowledge of raising seaweed as well as research of algae. I chose components and materials for the economic, functional and technological purpose, to make an environment-friendly device, which gives the users an opportunity to cultivate.

Solution

The ‘Amazebalz’ seek to solve the problem of single use plastics by replacing shampoo bottles. The dissolvable ‘balls’ can be bought on an app with options including hair length, washes per week and the choice between generic shampoo, natural ingredients or personal customisation. The product will be bought in bulk with one-months’ worth arriving upon ordering. Samples can be ordered prior to a subscription upon which an individually labelled dispense system will be sent to the customer.

Project Description

As plastic pollution becomes a major problem in society today, designers have a responsibility to rethink the way we use and re-use materials and create innovative design solutions replacing plastic packaging. This is where the issue of shampoo bottles was discovered and researched. The final product eliminates single use shampoo bottles and the goal is to make consumers more aware of the plastic problem and change their habits to more eco-friendly options.

Overview of the Solution

Through design thinking methods like the double-diamond, product design becomes a big part of the culture change needed. By researching plastic usage and its effect on the environment we begin to discover the enormity of the issue, and by defining one specific area in need of change, we can narrow down the scope and start small. This is where the issue of shampoo bottles was discovered and researched. Furthermore, a range of solutions was developed through prototyping and use of design thinking methods such as surveying, secondary research, the 5 whys and user journey mapping, until a final product is delivered.

Solution

‘The Dutch Denim Programme’: A collaborative and action-oriented programme for the House of Denim foundation to realize growth in the use of Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) cotton in denim production. It stimulates a collaborative value chain by setting up the network, facilitating collaboration and initiating the material flow. Besides that, it stimulates mills to develop and launch new denims and stimulates brands to raise the demand by developing a recognizable label for PCR denim fabrics.

Project Description

Driven by the urgency to work towards a circular denim industry, the House of Denim Foundation wants to stimulate the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) cotton in denim production.

To capture the complexity of the current value chain, design research is executed with a systemic and holistic approach. Interviews with more than 20 industry experts throughout the value chain are conducted to get to know the difficulties and opportunities in the production and consumption of recycled cotton from different viewpoints. The insights are communicated visually in a Giga-map to create a holistic understanding amongst important stakeholders. The full cycle of a pair of jeans is displayed including all challenges the industry is facing regarding PCR cotton.

Three key problems are defined and in different creative sessions, ideas are formed, improved and evaluated. Ideas with the most promising systemic impact form the base for the strategic programme ‘The Dutch Denim Programme’.

Overview of the Solution

Due to fast-fashion and our linear economic model, there is a growing demand for and pressure on cotton. Cotton cultivation causes negative environmental impact. This, combined with the growing amount of discarded textiles asks for a systemic change: a more circular system. Since Amsterdam is internationally known as the Jeans capital, the Dutch government wants to strive towards a more circular Denim industry and has involved House of Denim in this development. As a first step, House of Denim wants the stimulate the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) cotton (cotton made from recycled textiles that are discarded after use). Using only 20% PCR cotton can save up to 750 liters of water per pair of jeans! This relatively small adjustment can lead to major savings when it’s adopted in big volumes.

This Msc Thesis project has investigated the current landscape of production, consumption, collection and recycling of denim. It has defined the key-problems and determined the key-actors and interactions within the cycle.

The three key-problems are defined as: 1. Brands perceive PCR denim as difficult, expensive and low-quality fabric. 2. To work with PCR cotton, individual brands are given a complicated logistical challenge that results in a time consuming and expensive process. 3. The use of PCR denim is not adopted as common practice due to the lacking supply and demand.

The solutions for these key problems are the foundation for ‘The Dutch Denim Programme’, a multi-stakeholder initiative. By setting up a network of motivated stakeholders throughout the value chain and organizing meetings to overcome difficulties, the material flow from collecting centers in the NL to recycle facilities and denim mills in Turkey can be generated. By a commitment of motivated denim brands beforehand, mills will be stimulated to develop more PCR denims. House of Denim will facilitate and promote the program and it’s participants within the industry.

To evaluate if the programme is financially feasible, a strategy for the financial flow is made. Funding is needed to start up the programme (for project management and marketing) but in the long term, the new financial and material flow is financially covered by the industry itself. Since a new textile sorting technology is active in the NL, sorting can be done more effectively and efficiently. Therefore, when the production will happen in bigger volumes, PCR cotton can be purchased for the same price as virgin cotton.

Solution

The coral is the bedrock of the submarine ecosystem, and today it’s endangered. We are imaging our world in the best future possible. From this departure point, we have created the project, named Color the Sea : is a system that allowed the sea bed to be recoralised at a large-scale. Thanks to submarines nurseries managed by aquatics drones named Karl. Karl is inspired by the jellyfish to ensures the best ergonomics movement.

Project Description

Color the Sea is based on an aquatic drone named Karl.

He uses his first arm with zooxanthellae sensor, to analyze the coral cutting. If it’s alive, will catch it with his pliers and he cuts with his third arm. Karl opens his head to place the coral in storage. He goes back to the nursery, located near to the coral shelf. He drops off the cutting, and then self-recharges with his turbine.

Meanwhile, the nursery goes up and down to ensure a good development for the cuttings. It is a powered by wave energy. The cuttings need 6 months to become a fully-developed coral. After this 6 months, Karl comes back to the coral and replaces them in areas with sparse coral life.

Thanks to Karl’s camera and sensors, the pictures and various data he collects are sent to a website to inform the public about his lead. Then, the public can donate to the project if they wish.If Karl ever breaks, his system can activate a floating security device and Karl can be removed from the water.

Overview of the Solution

Thanks to aquatic robots we managed to recoralised a large area of endangered reefs, which would have been impossible relying solely on human labour. Our robot, Karl, has been designed to integrate perfectly into the underwater world, hence its jellyfish-inspired shape. Thus, it will be able to collect a certain number of coral cuttings in its storage area to then bring them to the nursery, where the corals will be able to develop perfectly.

The nursery has been thought out so that it can then regulate itself thanks to the wave power to keep the corals at the perfect temperature to develop. During the 6 months when the corals are developing, Karl will be able to recharge itself thanks to his integrated tidal turbine which uses the force of the currents. Our robot is eco-designed so that it can be completely dismantled and recycled: its membrane is made of EPDM, a 100% recyclable natural rubber and its clamps are made of stainless steel, which is now a recycled material that can be recycled and recycled ad infinitum.

Once Karl is recharged and the corals have grown, Karl will be able to retrieve the corals from the nursery and deposit them in the coral reefs. Thanks to Karl’s camera and sensors, the pictures and various data he collects are sent to a website to inform the public about his lead. Then, the public can donate to the project if they wish. If Karl ever breaks, his system can activate a floating security device and Karl can be removed from the water. The Robots work area to area. After a year, when an area is entirely recolored, robots get back to the surface, and are recovered by a boat. The boat takes them to the next area. Again and again until the earth is completely recolored.

Solution

A challenge to self-experiment on saving as much water as possible. “Counting Drops” aims at prompting others to self-restrain ones water-consumption. Applying a variety of hacks I managed to lower my daily water-consumption from an average of 130l to about 3l. Challenge yourself! – how much water do you use(waste)? – where can you cut down on wateruse? – surpass personal “lows” of daily water use. – share achievements on social media #countingdrops and nominate friends to follow your example.

Project Description

In average, one person is accountable for the water consumption / waste of 130 Liters per day.

We take the endless flow of this liquid resource for granted without further thoughts, while scientists warn of severe droughts, floods and a general unpredictability of weather and climate related consequences. Industry and Agriculture are the major consumers of water wich in many cases lead to devastating consequences for nature and humans.

Non the less, it´s important to prepare humans in general to cope with little water supplies as such scenarios are likely to become more frequent and start to value water as the precious resource that it actually is.

“Counting Drops” is set about doing something about exactly those points. Challenging to cut down ones personal water consumption, to reconsider ones attitude and behaviour towards water, to promote a behavioural change and question water politics and infrastructure.

Overview of the Solution

The massive average water-consumption of 130l in Europe and the US led me to question my personal water household. Applying a variety of DIY hacks, I managed to lower my water-use down to 3l. As you can see in the following Video, I explored into many directions and overcame some psychological and societal boundaries. It’s focus lies in ones self-optimisation, and reconsideration of ones attitude towards water to eventually question water-politics and infrastructure.

Following my example I hope to prompt others to challenge themselves, share their successes and again motivate even more people to join the environmental conscious movement.

Solution

The packaging is fully biodegradable and, in our visions, successfully replaces the dominant plastic one-usage packages. It is easy to use and it looks attractive to the customer.

Project Description

Dairy Pad allows combining the current lifestyle “on the go” with responsibility for the environment. Drinking yogurt is visible through the semi-transparent material. There is a freshness sensor on the back. We wanted to get a clear, meaningful design and a modern brand. Our goal was to build awareness attractively and encourage wise, ‘sustainable’ choices.

The packaging “Dairy Pad” contains a single portion of drinking yogurt intended for people who value the freshness of the product, ease of consumption, ecological sensitivity. The material is similar to that from which gelatine capsules are made. After consultations with the Chemistry Department at the Warsaw University, a slight change in composition allows producing gelatine packs dedicated to yogurt.

Overview of the Solution

The packaging of “Dairy Pad” contains a single portion of drinking yogurt intended for people who value product freshness, convenience, and ecological solutions. It is a suggestion for lunch or a snack during the day. We wanted to create a product that could be adapted to the ‘on the go’ lifestyle, and which would be ecological at the same time. Moreover, we wanted to give an impulse to the packaging industry and create an alternative to single-usage plastic containers. We focused on making the project biodegradable and feasible. Besides, we wanted it to be fashionable, desirable, and attractive. The name, form, and graphics should evoke something modern and future-oriented, maybe even a little space-like.

The process of creation was not the easiest. In the beginning, we decided to get to know as many innovative solutions and materials as possible. When we got to know a lot of exciting concepts, we always had the ambition to come up with something that no one had thought of before and which would be in line with our ecological values. At first, it seemed everything was already there. But later, one of us caught a cold, and by observing pills and medications, the concept of creating a gelatin pack similar to fish oil capsules came into existence. The more we analyzed this idea, the more we discovered that it was perfect! We watched and learned about the production process. We contacted the Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Chemistry at Warsaw University and, apart from consultations, we started experiments in the laboratory. It turned out that our idea is feasible! After understanding the material properties and working on adapting it to store yogurt there, we began to think about the form. The features of the material started to tell us what our concept should look like.

Solution

We collect and deliver clean and sanitized reusable utensils to street food vendors through a platform where we link these businesses with students, elder people, unemployed and single parents. In an integral way we transform the experience of street food, replacing single-use items with reusable utensils designed with food grade standards, ensure the health and hygiene of diners, offer jobs for people in situations of vulnerability and improve the image and reputation of street food stalls.

Project Description

It begins empathizing with street food stalls and identifying harmful practices, creating a strategy that manages the use of required utensils explaining in detail the role of the stalls within the service and the costs/benefits relationship and finally inviting them to be part of it. People in vulnerable situation will be recruited, receive orientation of how sanitize cookware and notifications of the businesses that request their service and are close to their homes, gathering dirty utensils and delivering clean ones, using a hermetic container that will facilitate the transportation and keeping them sanitized, so when they return to their homes they must wash the ones they had collected and after that stay alert for future requests and being remunerated economically by the washed utensils. Customers will consciously separate their waste supported by identifiable trash cans. On their check will be added a fee based on the number of dirty utensils they used during their visit.

Overview of the Solution

We generate a value chain for people and businesses, demonstrating that under this scheme a daily action such as dish washing could generate economic and environmental benefits for an entire ecosystem that is related day by day and faces complex social realities. Instead of handing out blame we believe that we can all be part of the solution. We are convinced of the impact our daily actions have (such as eating on the street), and that we encourage the necessary practices. This could change the popular view of street food places and break the paradigm of unsanitary, improve people’s health, generate less waste and economically activate people who need it.

The development and evaluation of the surgical project of collaboration with a community of delivers and volunteers from Mexico City that are part of several companies present in other states of the national territory. Likewise, the findings obtained from the field work done at the beginning of this project were very useful to create an user profile, based on Design Thinking and Human Centered Design methodologies so we could understand better what most of stakeholders live, need and expect.