Inquiring and Analysing

The Problem

Everyday tons of products made out of plastic and other materials, are thrown away as it is believed that they have reached the end of their service life.
Many of these products are thrown away relatively in good conditions, and their materials could be upcycled in order to create a new and functionable
output. Unfortunately, most of the products that are thrown away are not reused and instead they are destroyed in dumps or by their own producers. For
instance, burning large amounts of clothes is one of the favourite methods of fashion enterprises to get rid of their
overstock and it has been used for decades. These fires produce gases that damage our ozone layer and take
part in the greenhouse effect thus contributing to Global Warming; apart from hurting our planet, this
phenomenon also is repercussional to our health.

Most of the clothes we wear are made out of non-biodegradable materials such as Polyester and Nylon. Many
people buy clothes and wear them a few times and then throw them away because of their poor quality or
because they just don’t fit them anymore. I must admit, I have bought clothes that I only got to wear once or twice
because the product deteriorated or stopped fitting me, and therefore I I threw them away even though these
clothings could have been upcycled to make something else.
The fashion world and trends are constantly changing, and for these reasons people keep buying more and more clothes to be stylish and up to date; what
happens to their old clothes? The most obvious answer is that they throw them away, this way contributing to the constant pollution filling up our planet
everyday. In fact, these clothes could be used to create other products apart from clothes.

On the other hand, many of these products, such as water bottles and plastic bags; end up contaminating many of the
planet’s natural environments and biomes. Bodies of water, jungles, forests, and other biomes have been affected by the
imprudence of many international companies and over consumption. In fact, the Pacific Ocean has tonnes of marine
debris invading its waters; waste that has originated in countries in Asia, and the Americas and it is known as the “Great
Pacific Garbage Patch”.

According to National Geographic, there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste in the ocean. Approximately 269,000 tons
float on the surface of the ocean, but billions of plastic debris lies in the depths of Earth’s largest bodies of water. Part of
these rubbish wash up every year on the coasts of the Caribbean and the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Last summer, I traveled to Tulum, Mexico to rest
and visit the ruins of the Mayan civilization. When I arrived, I expected the sea to look somewhat normal and healthy, but instead I arrived to a beach filled
up with larger quantities of sargassum than normal and a sea that brought plastic bags and cups with every new wave. Plastic microfibers and other pieces
of rubbish, are eaten by marine animals such as turtles, mammals, birds and fish. The deaths of these animals affect many of the marine ecosystems,
hence causing an irreversible change on the existent food chains; an example of this could be the monstrous amounts of
sargassum arriving to the Caribbean coasts.
Overproduction is a worldwide issue that is affecting and contaminating Earth’s
ecosystems.
This problem could be solved if the non-biodegradable products that are damaging our
planet were being upcycled instead of being thrown away by their owners.

Target Market
My product will be directed to adults from and age range varying from 20 to 50 year olds. This product will be gender neutral and
it will be mainly directed at people that do groceries or other shopping a few times a week; I expect most of the buyers to be
English speakers around the world and people that are willing to decrease the amount of waste they produce everyday, in this
probably families. According to an infographic by the Hartman Group (U.S), 76% of female shoppers are more likely to be a
household’s “primary shoppers”. Whereas only 56% of primary shoppers are men. 85% of women in France, according to “The Local” do the groceries
while only 64% of men are primary shoppers. For these reasons, I am directing my product specially to people that do their groceries or other shopping
once or twice a week, as these people are more likely to consume large amounts of plastic and other contaminants (plastic bags, bottles, etc)

More specific profile of target audience shown below:

Name: Brónach Gaynor-Roux

Age: 52
Nationality: Irish, French (naturalised)
Employment: Stay-at-home mum

Personality and hobbies: Brónach is a 52 year old stay-at-home mum who enjoys chess, upcycling and praying.
She is generous and smart, but can also be very strict and a bit paranoiac.

Family: Her husband, Daniel Roux and her 3 children, Charlotte (23), Paul (20), Thomas (15).

Background: Brónach was born in Dublin, Ireland to a middle class family. When she was 10 years old, her family
moved to Surrey, England where she lived until she was 19 years old. She studied Philosophy at the University of
Greenwich in London for a year and then moved to Paris to finish her studies to become a teacher in the Pantheon-
Sorbonne University where she met her husband, Daniel Roux. When she was 29 years old she had her first daughter, Charlotte, and three years later she
had her son Paul. 5 years later she decided to quit her job to spend more time with her children and her newborn, Thomas. Since then she has been a stay-
at-home mum and is in charge of providing groceries to her household. She currently lives with her husband and son in an upper middle class district in
Toulouse, France.

Research Plan

Relevance
Research Source/Activity Reason (High/Medium/Low) P/S
1. Investigating what
percentage of clothes and
other products are
overproduced every year.
2. Investigating the causes
and factors behind
overproduction.
3. Investigating what are
most of the products
and/or materials polluting
our oceans
4. Exploring a wide range
of existent products made
out of upcycled materials
and analysing their
anthropometrics.
5. Investigating what are
the factors/criteria
- I will research in business
magazines such as
Forbes, or in websites
such as Lean
Manufacturing Tools and
Share Cloth .
- I will research in journal
articles explaining the
reasoning behind
overproduction such as
‘The “Overproduction”
Fallacy’ by Uriel H.
Crooker. I will also look in
economy websites such
as Hahn Lukey Houle.
- I could look in websites
talking about the Pacific
Ocean Garbage Patch
such as The Ocean Clean
Up.
- I will carry out a short
product analysis with
upcycled products I could
find around me or by
looking at the pictures on
the internet on websites
such as Pinterest.
- I will send out a survey to
- So that I am aware of the
amount of products that
are overproduced every
year and so that when I
design and make my final
product I will be able to
raise awareness among
my audience about the
problem.
- So I understand why
overproduction happens
and what are the factors
that cause it. Also, so that I
can try and inform my
audience through my
product.
- So that I know what are
the main materials
polluting the ocean in order
to raise awareness among
my target audience
through my product.
- So that I can get an idea of
what makes a product
successful and so that I
can look at important
factors of the products
such as the aesthetics and
ergonomics.
High - I think it is important for my P&S
audience to know about the
environmental impacts that
overproduction has on our planet.
Medium - I think this is research of S
medium relevance because it is
important to know what causes
overproduction, however, it might
not be relevant at all to my
audience the factors behind it or it
might also be quite hard to include it
in a product or design.
High - As I said before, it is really S
important for my target audience to
know about the impacts
overproduction and waste cause on
our planet.
High - It is important to see what P&S
kind of materials can be used to
make my product and what type of
equipment I will probably need.
(aesthetics, ergonomics,
function) that are
appealing to my target
audience.
6. Investigating what kind
of products would be more
helpful for people who are
regular shoppers.
7. Investigating how a
laser cutter works.
8. Investigating what
materials can be laser cut.
9. Investigating how a 3D
printer works.
10. Investigating what kind
of materials can be 3D
printed on.
11.Anthropometrics and
ergonomics of a grocery
bag.
at least 8 people asking
what they think would
make my product
appealing and useful to
my target audience.
- I will investigate on
websites such as Inc. and
The Sustainable Citizen.
- I will also carry out a
survey asking people
what products they think
would be more successful
among shoppers.
- I will look at various
articles on the internet
and I will also look at
tutorials explaining how to
use a laser cutter step by
step and what kind of
materials it can cut.
- I will search for tutorial
videos on youtube and I
will look at the tutorials on
the app SpaceClaim
- I will research about the
anthropometrics and
ergonomics of different
types of grocery bags
- So that I have an idea of
what equipment I will use
when making my final
product. Also to keep in
mind what kind of
materials I will need.
- So that I know what will be
the equipment and
materials I will need for
making my final product.
- So that when I design my
product I take into account
the kind of problems
encountered with these
High - It is important to know what P&S
kind of product would be more
appealing for my target audience,
and so that I can design a product
that will be able to raise awareness
about the problem.
High - I need to know how to use S
the equipment in order to design
and make my final product.
Medium - It is important to know S
what and how to use the equipment
we have on the design room.
However, I don’t think I will need to
use the 3D printer as it would
probably take me a long time to
make my product.
High - It is very important to know S
the anthropometrics and
ergonomics of different products so
that I am sure that my target
 (trolley bags, tote bag, products. And so that I audience is comfortable with my
etc). I will look in websites know what should be the product.
such as Hindawi, and I exact measurements of my
will also look at the final product.
anthropometrics in books
and reports such as “The
Measure of Man and
Woman” by Alvin R. Tilley
& Henry Dreyfuss

12. Investigating what is
the process of sublimation
printing.
- I will research on - So that I know how to use High - I need to know how to use S
websites such as “Printi”, the equipment that I will the equipment in order to design
“The Sustainable Fashion probably use in order to and make my final product.
Collective” or “Stitch and make my design.
Print International”.
- I will also look at tutorials
of how to use the
sublimation printer.

Additional Research

1. Investigating what percentage of clothes and other products are overproduced every year.

● Overproduction is making products in big amounts or before it is actually needed, thus, leading to excessive
inventory.
● At least 5% of the stock of many companies is sent to landfill.
● At the beginning of 2018, H&M, declared themselves with $4.3 billions worth of inventory. According to Share Cloth,
“The company produces so many clothes that a power plant in a Swedish town Vasteras partly relies on burning its
defective products to create energy. It incinerated 15 tons in 2017, though H&M claims those were clothes not safe to
use”.
● Luxury brand, Burberry, burned $37 million worth of clothes instead of selling them at a lower price.
2. Investigating the causes and factors behind overproduction.

● Companies overproduce or oversupply themselves with products that they expect their customers to keep buying and
therefore, they see no reason to stop making those products.
● Overproduction is the worst of the seven deadly wastes or seven mudas, as it not only ties up a company’s economic
profit but could also leave them bankrupt as they are vulnerable to the constant market changes.

3. Investigating what are most of the products and/or materials polluting our oceans

● There are five offshore plastic zones in the world’s oceans. It is estimated that every year 1.15 to 2.41 million tons of
plastic enter the ocean from rivers.
● “The vast majority of plastics retrieved were made of rigid or hard polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), or derelict
fishing gear (nets and ropes particularly). Ranging in size from small fragments to larger objects and meter-sized
fishing nets.” The Ocean Clean Up.

● Billions of those single-use plastic bags become litter each year because only 1% get recycled. Of those 99% which
become
litter, the majority ends up in our oceans
4. Exploring a wide range of existent products made out of upcycled materials.

Bird Feeder

5. Investigating what are the factors/criteria (aesthetics, ergonomics, function) that are appealing to my target audience.

According to Nielsen, 66% percent of global consumers are more likely to pay a high price for sustainable goods, and 73%
of people born between 1977 and 1995 are more willing to buy this kind of products.
"Despite the fact that Millennials are coming of age in one of the most difficult economic climates in the past 100 years, they
continue to be most willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings--almost three-out-of-four respondents," says Nielsen.
6. Investigating what kind of products would be more helpful for people who are regular shoppers.

“switch to paper bags, polypropylene reusable bags, or, better still, handy tote bags that will last a long time and look cool,
too.”
7. Investigating how a laser cutter works.

● To use the laser cutter you first need to use 2D Design, to design the thing you want to laser cut.
● To print your design you first have to power the laser cutter on. The switch is in the rear-right of the unit.The cutter takes
approximately 30 seconds to power-on/boot.
● When the model is loaded, and the laser is powered Choose File/Print from them computer:
● Before printing, it is necessary to verify the cut power/speed settings. Go to "Properties" on the print popup. We need to verify
two numbers in particular for each drawing color: power and speed:
 Dangers of a Laser Cutter
○ It is very easy to start fires with the laser cutter. The laser cutter can also produce dangerous fumes (e.g.,
chlorine) if used with improper materials.

8. Investigating what materials can be laser cut.

Materials that can be laser cut or etched

● Wood
● Plywood
● MDF/Engineered Woods
● Paper, card stock
● Cardboard, carton
● Cork
● Acrylic/Lucite/Plexiglas/PMMA
● Delrin
 ● Kapton tape
● Gator foam
● Cloth
● Leather (only real leather)
● Magnetic Sheet
● Glass
● Ceramic tile
● Anodized aluminium
● Painted/coated materials
● Stone, Marble, Granite, Soapstone, Onyx

Materials that shouldn’t be laser cut or etched (most of these are flammable or produce toxic gases)
● Never cut PVC, or other chlorinated plastics.
● Polycarbonate
● ABS
● HDPE/milk bottle plastic
● PolyStyrene and PolyPropylene foam
● Epoxy
● Fiberglass
● Coated Carbon Fiber
● Food
● Material with Sticky Glue Backing

9. Investigating how a 3D printer works.

● 3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file; this process allows you to make
complex shapes and products that would be more difficult to make with normal methods.
● In order to 3D print you first need to design or download a model into a 3D printing app such as Spaceclaim.
Spaceclaim is an app used to 3D print and design products.
 Useful Tips
● It is easier to use a mouse instead of the tracking pad of the computer.
● To rotate the model hold the middle mouse button down
● To zoom in hold control in the middle mouse button.
● To pan, hold shift in the middle mouse button
● To change from pan to zoom can be done in the options panel below navigation:

● To know what you have selected on your model, you must look at the bottom middle of the screen.
● With the control key down you can select multiple things.
● Only by pressing control, you can stop selecting things.
● To select a hidden face in your model, you should use the middle mouse button just like if you were scrolling down a
page. Scroll your mouse wheel either in or out to select whatever is behind your cursor.

10. Investigating what kind of materials can be 3D printed on.

● White copolyester
● Clear copolyester
● Woodfill
● Copper fill
● White Flexible
11. Anthropometrics and ergonomics of a grocery bag.
Things to take into account:
- the carrying style of shopping bags varies from person to person depending on the weight, shape, and type of
handles of the carried bags
- This daily activity might be associated with risk factors contributing to the development of low back pain due to the
compression forces on the lumbar spine, other risk factors include strains and sprains in the fingers, wrists,
 elbows, and shoulders
- Carrying a load in one hand poses more load on the lower back than carrying twice as much that amount but
distributed evenly between both hands
- Carrying grocery bags might be achieved by one of the two essential techniques, either holding a load close to one
side of the body or holding loads close to both sides of the body.

12. Investigating what is the process of sublimation printing.

● “Sublimation printing is a popular method for printing high-quality images onto a variety of fabrics and items as the
display features no resolution loss when compared to the original image.”
● “Sublimation definition: Sublimation is a chemical process where a solid turns into a gas without going through a
liquid stage.”
● “It involves the use of a digital printer to produce images on sublimation transfer paper with sublimation ink. The
sublimation paper is then placed into a heat press with the material and exposed to high temperatures of about 350 to
400 degrees Fahrenheit” (176 to 204 degrees Celsius). “This is when the ink and transfer material turn from solid to
gas. Once they are in a gas state, they permeate the fibers of the material.”
● In order to sublimate, you will need a sublimation printer, sublimation paper, Sawgrass sublimation ink, sublimation
blanks, and a heat press appropriate for the sublimation blank you are working with.
 ● The heat transfer sublimation printing process is a great eco-friendly printing technique.
● Sublimation printing provides the best results when used on synthetic fabrics such as polyester.

Other research:
 Research Analysis

Research Findings Impact on your Designs

● Relationship between ● Overproduction is the worst of the ● My design must raise awareness
overproduction and pollution. seven deadly wastes. Most about how overproduction harms

● Target Market Research
● Anthropometrics and Ergonomics
companies make products in large
amounts even before it is needed,
thus leading to overstock.
● Overstock and used clothes are
burned or sent to landfill. Most of
these clothes are not biodegradable
and the gases they emit when
burned affect the ozone layer.
● Millions of tons of plastic enter the
ocean through rivers all around the
world, every year.
● 99% of single-use plastic bags
become litter which ends up in our
oceans.
● According to my survey, most
people are more likely to buy a tote
bag instead of a trolley bag or a
different product.
● 8/8 people surveyed said that a
product such as grocery bag, must
be able to hold various large objects,
and it must not break easily.
● 6/8 people surveyed said that warm
colours would be the most
appropriate colour group for my
product.
● 66% of world consumers are more
likely to buy sustainable products or
products promoting sustainability.
● Carrying a load in one hand poses
more load on the lower back than
our planet, either through words,
images, or drawings.
● My product must be made out of
recycled materials such as plastic or
clothes made out of synthetic fabric
(polyester, nylon).
● I’ve decided that my product will
have to be a tote bag that will help
my target market to transport their
groceries.
● My product must have appropriate
measurements that will allow it to
carry large and heavy objects.
● My product must be resistant and
durable.
● My product must include colours
from the warm colours range.
● My product must promote
sustainability through the materials
used in its production and by raising
awareness about the problem.
● My product must follow the average
anthropometric rules of the human
 carrying twice as much that amount body in order to avoid injuries and
but distributed evenly between both accidents.
hands ● My product’s user must feel
● Carrying grocery bags contributes to comfortable when using it.
the development of low back pain,
strains and sprains in the fingers,
wrists, and elbows.
● The carrying style of shopping bags
depends on the person who is
carrying it, on the weight, shape,
and type of handles of the bags.

● Equipment and Materials ● Laser cutters are used for cutting
hard materials that would be really
difficult to cut perfectly with other
traditional methods
● Chlorine based materials should not
be laser cut; there are 4 materials
available for 3D printing, and the
best materials to be sublimated are
synthetic fabrics.
● 3D printing allows you to make
complex shapes through digital
design.
● Sublimation printing is a way to
transfer high-quality images into
different materials such as fabric and
plastic .
● I’ve decided to only use two of the
three available methods for digital
upcycling: Laser cutting and
sublimation.
● My product must be made out of
materials that are not dangerous to
use.
● My product must have to be made
out of plastic and/or synthetic
fabrics such as polyester and nylon.

Design Brief
I intend to design and make a tote bag, made out of upcycled materials such as non-biodegradable clothes (made out of synthetic
fabric) and plastic. This will product will be made by utilising the processes of laser cutting and sublimation in order to make
decorations and improve the aesthetics of the product.

The main users of this product will be people who are in charge of providing their households with groceries. These people will be
in the age range between 20 and 50 year olds. This product is mainly directed to middle and upper middle class, English speakers.
I expect that the main buyers of my product will be married women with or without children.

My product will appeal to my target market because of its sustainability and various features which will make it different from other
existing products. For instance, it will follow ergonomic factors that will make the product easy and safe to use; and it will also be
aesthetically pleasing to my audience.

The product will be used in grocery stores, with the purpose of helping my target audience to carry their groceries back home. My
product will also raise awareness about how overproduction damages our planet and how this problem could be solved by
upcycling products and materials that are hard to biodegrade, such as plastic or synthetic fabrics.

The key features of my design is that it will be completely made of upcycled materials through two digital upcyclling processes, and
it will be ergonomic enough in order to help prevent short and long term Injuries.
Bibliography:

● “Burberry Burns Bags, Clothes and Perfume Worth Millions.” BBC News, 19 July 2018, www.bbc.com/news/business-

44885983.

● Baraniuk, Chris. “Will Fashion Firms Stop Burning Clothes?” BBC Earth, BBC Earth, 4 Mar. 2019,

https://www.bbcearth.com/blog/?article=will-fashion-firms-stop-burning-clothes

● ‌Power, Gabriel. “Why Fashion Brands Burn Millions of Pounds of Clothes.” The Week UK, The Week UK, 6 Sept. 2018,

https://www.theweek.co.uk/96302/why-fashion-brands-burn-millions-of-pounds-of-clothes

● ‌“The Great Pacific Garbage Patch | The Ocean Cleanup.” The Ocean Cleanup, 2019, https://theoceancleanup.com/great-

pacific-garbage-patch/

● ‌“Ocean Trash: 5.25 Trillion Pieces and Counting, but Big Questions Remain.” Nationalgeographic.Com, 29 Nov. 2017,

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https://www.hartman-group.com/infographics/931623449/gender-differences-in-grocery-shopping. Accessed 20 Sept. 2019.

● The Local. “Women Do Bulk of Housework in France.” Thelocal.Fr, The Local, 13 May 2015,

www.thelocal.fr/20150513/french-women-do-way-more-housekeeping-than-men . Accessed 20 Sept. 2019.

● ‌A N T H R O P O M E T R I C D A T A. https://multisite.eos.ncsu.edu/www-ergocenter-ncsu-edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/

18/2016/06/Anthropometric-Detailed-Data-Tables.pdf

● “Waste of Overproduction; Causes, Symptoms, Examples and Solutions.” Lean Manufacturing Tools, 2011,

https://leanmanufacturingtools.org/114/waste-of-overproduction-causes-symptoms-examples-and-solutions/ . Accessed 20

Sept. 2019.

● “Apparel and Fashion Overproduction Report with Infographic.” Sharecloth.Com, 2018,

https://sharecloth.com/blog/reports/apparel-overproduction Accessed 20 Sept. 2019.

● ‌“The ‘Overproduction’ Fallacy on JSTOR.” Jstor.Org, 2019, www.jstor.org/stable/1882465?

seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents. Accessed 20 Sept. 2019.
● ‌Curtin, Melanie. “73 Percent of Millennials Are Willing to Spend More Money on This 1 Type of Product.” Inc.Com, Inc.,
30 Mar. 2018, www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/73-percent-of-millennials-are-willing-to-spend-more-money-on-this-1-type-
of-product.html.
● ‌“Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags: The 5 Best Reusable Grocery Bags (Updated).” The Sustainable Citizen, 16 June 2019,
https://citizensustainable.com/reusable-grocery-bags/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2019.
● ‌Goldberg, Eleanor. “You’re Probably Going To Throw Away 81 Pounds Of Clothing This Year.” Huffpost, 6 Aug. 2016,
www.huffpost.com/entry/youre-likely-going-to-throw-away-81-pounds-of-clothing-this-
year_n_57572bc8e4b08f74f6c069d3?
guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANk4mEYg3cQNbzx3CQ
OZ0kN4pT1nkOvme-48PmhDodweEAa57nUrkQEWNlpiTMu8ZdY6T-qxIpqpmciycwLNtc6PFDfD-e2ZJNHcW1ttaqg-
nujgzD2R8T5VZThetsPUL5MFSbuq77Mncj7_ZcLluxmT7W.
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Sept. 2019.

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2019.
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Overview - HeatPressNation.Com.” YouTube, 29 July 2014, https://youtu.be/fhqlJ-8OY70 Accessed 20 Sept. 2019.

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the-pacific-garbage-patch/
 Developing Ideas

Design Specification

Criteria Reason How will it be measured?

● 10/10 users must agree that my ● Because according to my research analysis and my ● I will measure this by sending out a
product raises awareness about design brief, the purpose of my product is to raise survey asking them if they think my
 overproduction either through
images or words.
● 10/10 users will identify that all the
images and/or words on the product
were made by either sublimation or
laser cutting.
● 10/10 users will agree that my
product is made out of upcycled
materials such as clothes and/or
plastic.
● 10/10 users will agree that most of
the colours used in the product
come from the warm colours group.
● 9/10 users will find the product
resistant enough to carry objects of
various sizes.
● 9/10 people will find the size of the
product appropriate to its function.
● 9/10 users must feel comfortable
enough when using my product.
awareness about how overproduction damages our
planet and how this problem could be solved by
upcycling products and materials that are hard to
biodegrade.
● It is really important that all the users understand
the purpose of my product.
● Because according to my research analysis, my
product must use one or both of these processes
for construction and decoration purposes.
● Because my research analysis showed that my
product must be completely made out of upcycled
materials to raise awareness about the relationship
between overproduction and pollution.
● Because according to my survey and research
analysis, warm colours were the preferred colour
group by my target market.
● Because according to my research analysis, my
product must be large and durable enough to help
users to carry sizes of various sizes.
● Because my research analysis states that my
product must be durable and resistant enough to
allow users to carry their groceries from the store to
their houses.
● Because my research analysis states that my
product must follow the average anthropometric
rules of the human body in order to avoid injuries
design meets this specification.
● I will measure this by carrying out a
visual test and I will ask at least 10
people if my product meets this
specification.
● I will interview or ask 10 different
people if they agree that my product is
completely made out of upcycled
materials such as plastic and synthetic
fabric.
● I will carry out a visual test to see if this
specification is met by my design. I will
also ask 10 different people to look at
my design and carry out a visual test.
● I will ask 10 different people to use my
product and decide whether or not my
product meets this specification.
● I will ask 10 different people to test my
product and decide whether it is
functionable or not.
● I will ask 10 different people to test my
product and ask them if they feel
comfortable when they use it.
 and accidents.

● My product must have at least one
different feature that will make it
different from other existing
products. 9/10 users will find my
product different.
● Because according to my research analysis and ● I will carry out a survey asking 10
design brief, my design must have key features that people to rate the originality of my
differentiate it from other existing products with product.
similar functions. Also because some of these new
features could increase the safety and functionality
of my product.

Note that criteria 5 and 7 cannot be physically measured but might still be taken into account on the selection of my final design.
 50cm x 50cm

45cm x 45cm

45cm x 45cm

Plastic wraps

40cm x 27cm
 Selection of Final Design

First Design
My first design consists of a bag made out of upcycled clothes. It would use sublimation printing to create the pictures on the 6
pockets and on the back of the product. The images shown on the design will be used as a way to raise awareness about
overproduction and the damage it causes on our planet. The key features of my first design are that the user will be able to adjust
the handles in order to increase their comfort, and, as it was mentioned before, there will be 6 different pockets that will allow the
user to keep small objects such as coins or keys inside them. This design meets 5 of the 8 design specifications:

1. My product raises awareness about overproduction either through images or words.

The design does not meet this specification because the relationship between overproduction and pollution and/or the
severity of the problem is not clear enough. This could be fixed by adding text to the design or pictures which
are more related to overproduction than the ones shown above.
2. All the images and/or words on the product were made by either sublimation or laser cutting.
The design meets this criterion because, as it was mentioned before, all the pictures on the front and back of the
product will be made my sublimation printing.
3. My product is made out of upcycled materials such as clothes and/or plastic.
The design meets this specification because, as it was previously mentioned, the bag will be completely made out of
upcycled clothes.
4. Most of the colours used in the product come from the warm colours group.
The design meets this criterion because the main colours used in the images shown in the design are: Blue, orange,
purple, brown, and green. 3/5 colours used on the design are warm colours and only 2 are cold.
5. The product is resistant enough to carry objects of various sizes.
6. The size of the product is appropriate to its function.
The design meets this specification because the size of grocery bags tends to vary from 43cm x 30cm to
55 cm x 55cm. And the design measures 45 cm in both height and width.
7. Users must feel comfortable enough when using my product.
8. My product must have at least one different feature that will make it different from other existing products.
The design meets this criterion because my design offers two different features from most grocery bags.

Second Design
My second design consists of a drawstring bag made out of upcycled clothes with handles and filling made of plastic. As it can be
seen in the design plans, this design has various messages and pictures talking about overproduction; this messages and pictures
will be printed on the design by the process of sublimation. This design meets 6 of the 8 specifications given:

1. My product raises awareness about overproduction either through images or words.

The design meets this criterion because, as it was mentioned before, there are pictures and messages about
overproduction and its impact on the world; all covering the product’s entire body.
2. All the images and/or words on the product were made by either sublimation or laser cutting.
The design meets this specification because, as it was previously stated, all the messages and/or pictures on the
design will be made through the digital process of sublimation.
3. My product is made out of upcycled materials such as clothes and/or plastic.
The design meets this criterion because it will completely made out of reused clothes and plastic.
4. Most of the colours used in the product come from the warm colours group.
The design does not meet this specification because there are almost no colours shown in the plan, and therefore
there is no way of knowing exactly what colours it would have. Also, because the design will mostly have written
messages, there won’t be many colours apart from the natural colours of fabric.
5. The product is resistant enough to carry objects of various sizes.
Although this specification can’t be physically tested, it is specified in the plan that the design will have plastic fillings
and a base made out of rigid plastic. These two features can reduce the chances of a leakage or prevent the bottom
part of the bag from breaking apart.
6. The size of the product is appropriate to its function.
The design meets this specification because the size of grocery bags tends to vary from 43cm x 30cm to
55 cm x 55cm. And the design measures 50 cm in both height and width.
7. Users must feel comfortable enough when using my product.
8. My product must have at least one different feature that will make it different from other existing products.
The design meets this criterion because it offers two different features that make it different from other grocery bags.
For instance, it apart from the handles, the design uses a drawstring to keep to prevent the grocery products from
falling off; also it contains a plastic filling and base to prevent leakages and to increase the resistance of the base.

Third Design
My third design consists of a drawstring bag made out of upcycled clothes. This design will have a cord adjuster to prevent the
drawstring from becoming loose; it will also have a cover to protect the things bought by the user. When closed, the cover will show
an image symbolising or picturing overproduction; when open, it will show a different picture representing pollution. In other words
Overproduction = Pollution. The design will also have two straps to allow the user to carry the bag like a backpack and to keep their
hands free. The straps will contain a message referencing UNESCO’s 12th Sustainable Development Goal (“Responsible
Consumption and Production”), and a small infinity sign between the two straps. All of these messages and pictures will be made
through sublimation; the strap adjusters will be made with the laser cutter. This design meets 4 of the 8 given specifications:

1. My product raises awareness about overproduction either through images or words.

The design meets this specification because it has two images representing the relationship between overproduction
and pollution.
2. All the images and/or words on the product were made by either sublimation or laser cutting.
The design meets this criterion because, as it was already mentioned. All of the messages and images will be printed
through the process of sublimation printing. And the strap adjuster will also be made through the process of laser
cutting.
3. My product is made out of upcycled materials such as clothes and/or plastic.
The design meets this specification because it will made out completely of recycled clothes.
4. Most of the colours used in the product come from the warm colours group.
The design meets this specification because both or the images on the design use warm colours such as orange, red,
and yellow.
5. The product is resistant enough to carry objects of various sizes.
6. The size of the product is appropriate to its function.
The design does not meet this criterion because the size of grocery bags tends to vary from 43cm x 30cm to
55 cm x 55cm. And the design measures 40 cm in height and in width only 27 centimetres.
7. Users must feel comfortable enough when using my product.
8. My product must have at least one different feature that will make it different from other existing products.
The design does not meet this specification because there are already many existing products with the same
features. Also because it is not really a grocery bag but it is pretty much a backpack with a drawstring.

Fourth Design
The last design consists of a bag made out of plastic wraps, and plastic and fabric for the handles.. It will use the digital process of
sublimation to print in the front UNESCO’s 12th Sustainable Development Goal (“Responsible Consumption and Production”) and
other messages and pictures representing the relationship between overproduction and pollution. It will also have two extra
handles. The design meets 5 of the 8 given specifications.

1. My product raises awareness about overproduction either through images or words.

The design meets this specification because it uses words and images to represent the relationship between
overproduction and pollution.
2. All the images and/or words on the product were made by either sublimation or laser cutting.
The design meets this specification because it will use sublimation to create the images and words used in the front
and back part of the design.
3. My product is made out of upcycled materials such as clothes and/or plastic.
The design meets this criterion because it will use plastic wraps and rigid plastic and fabric to make the handles.
4. Most of the colours used in the product come from the warm colours group.
The design meets this specification because it mostly uses colours such as green, red, orange and pink.
5. The product is resistant enough to carry objects of various sizes.
6. The size of the product is appropriate to its function.
The design meets this specification because the size of grocery bags tends to vary from 43cm x 30cm to
55 cm x 55cm. And the design measures 45 cm in both height and width.
7. Users must feel comfortable enough when using my product.
8. My product must have at least one different feature that will make it different from other existing products.
The design does not meet this specification because, there are other products which are very similar to this design. IN
other words, it is quite unoriginal.

Final Design
For my final design I have decided that I will combine at least one element from each of my past fourth designs. I will create a bag
made out of recycled clothing and other fashion related materials, and plastic. My final product will have adjustable handles,
pockets, plastic base and filling, pictures, facts about overproduction and a reference to UNESCO’s sustainable development goal.
The design will have mostly warm colours such as orange, yellow and red; it must be not bigger than 50cm x 50cm, and it must
include a new feature that will make it different from existing products.

Design Development
Creating The Solution
 Plan for Manufacture

Task Equipment Time (Mins)

- Create a working plan with proper -

measurements and following my
anthropometrics specifications.

- Use Photoshop to create the images -

needed in the design.

- Cut the fabric I will use to create my

product and divide it into 5 different
groups:
- Body
- Handles
- Sides
- Pockets
- Base

- Use the sublimation printer to print the

images onto the Pockets.

- Sew the pockets onto the body

pieces.

- The users will be able to adjust the

size of the handles, therefore, I will
sew two belt buckles on the outside of
the body (four in total).

- Accordion bleat both of the sides and

on each fold put a metal press stud.

- Sew the lower part of the body pieces

to the base and do the same with the
sides, this way creating a side panel:
 Si
d
e

Body B Body
as
e
e
d
Si

- Separate the plastic pieces I will use

to create the base and inside of my
product into two groups:
- Body & Sides (plastic wraps
and soft plastic).
- Base (rigid plastic -
Approximately 9 pieces- ).

- Use Photoshop to create the pictures

and images needed for the inside of
the bag. For the base, divide the
message “Responsible Consumption
& Production” between 6 pieces, and
divide the infinity symbol between 3
pieces.
 RESPONS
IBLE
CONSUM
PTION
AND

-
PRODUCT
ION ∞
Use the sublimation printer to print the
images/words onto the body & sides
and base.

- Sold the plastic base and body/sides

pieces onto the fabric body, base and
sides.

- Sew the bag together.

- Put the handles in their respective

places.
 Manufacturing Diary

Date Changes made to Working Plan Changes made to plan Photo Evidence
of Manufacture

October 15th - None - None

October 16th - None - None

October 22nd - None - None
October 23rd - None - None
November 2nd - Size of bag: 38cm x 28 cm - Ironing all the
(Originally 400cm x 500cm). fabric before
- Pocket on the inside: 12.5cm x cutting and
10cm (Originally there was no dividing it.
pocket on the inside, but instead a
plastic base and sides).
- The body will be sewed
completely thus creating a tote
bag. Base and sides will be
removed from the design in order
to simplify it. I decided to make
these changes because the type
of (recycled) fabric that I have
available is not enough to make
my original design, as well as the
materials/equipment I have at
home do not allow me to do all the
things specified by my original
working plan .
inside
November 5th - None - The inside pocket
will have the 12th
Sustainable
Development
Goal
(Responsible
Consumption and
Production),
originally the
base was
supposed to have
it.
- Originally I was
supposed to use
a belts and
buckles for the
handles.
However I
changed it to
adjustable nylon
straps from an
old backpack. I
thought this
would be better
for my product,
as it would be
easier to adjust
than a pair of
belts.
November 6th - None - I had to change
the contrast of
the images, as
they weren’t
really visible
when printed onto
the fabric. I also
had to mirror the
third image in 2D
design because
when printed, the
words came out
backwards.
Evaluation
 Design Specifications

Criteria Test Evidence and Result

● 10/10 users must agree that ● I will measure this by

my product raises sending out a survey
awareness about asking them if they think
overproduction either my design meets this
through images or words. specification.

10/10 people surveyed agreed that my product raises awareness,

through both, images and words. For these reasons, my product
meets this specification.

● 10/10 users will identify that ● I will measure this by All of the pictures were made through the process of sublimation
 all the images and/or words
on the product were made
by either sublimation or
laser cutting.
● 10/10 users will agree that
my product is made out of
upcycled materials such as
clothes and/or plastic.
carrying out a visual test printing:
and I will ask at least 10
people if my product meets
this specification.
10/10 of ten people agreed that my all the images and words in my
product were made through the digital process of sublimation:
For these reasons, my product meets this specification.
● I will interview or ask 10
different people if they
agree that my product is
completely made out of
upcycled materials such as
plastic and synthetic fabric.
According to my interview, 9/10 people agree that my product
is made completely of upcycled materials. Only one person
disagrees with this statement. For these reasons, my product

● 10/10 users will agree that
most of the colours used in
the product come from the
warm colours group.
● 9/10 users will find the
product resistant enough to
carry objects of various
sizes.
meets this specification.
● I will carry out a visual test
to see if this specification is
met by my design. I will
also ask 10 different
people to look at my
design and carry out a
visual test.
According to my interview, none of the people interviewed
agreed that the colours used in the design came from the warm
coloured group. This was later on confirmed by my visual
test. For these reasons, my product does not meet this
specification.
● I will ask 10 different
people to use my product
and decide whether or not
my product meets this
specification.
Three out of the ten people interviewed believed that my
product is resistant enough. Personally, I do not think my
product meets this specification, as I think that the base of the
bag does not look very resistant.
● 9/10 people will find the size ● I will ask 10 different
of the product appropriate to people to test my product
its function. and decide whether it is
functionable or not.

5/10 people interviewed believe the size of my product is

appropriate to its function. For this reason, my product does
not meet this specification.

● 9/10 users must feel ● I will ask 10 different

comfortable enough when people to test my product
using my product. and ask them if they feel
comfortable when they use
it.

According to my interview, only half of the people interviewed

think that my final product is not comfortable; although the
straps are adjustable, they are also quite annoying. For this
reason, my product does not meet this specification.
● My product must have at
least one different feature
that will make it different
from other existing products.
9/10 users will find my
product different.
● I will carry out a survey
asking 10 people to rate
the originality of my
product.
9/10 people think that my product is not original after all. For
this reason my product does not meet this specification.
 Impact on Target Market

My product is targeted to English speaking adults (most likely to be women) from ages 20 to 50. The purpose of the product was to
help adults carry their groceries from the store back to their home, at the same time it is raising awareness of the impact of
overproduction in our environment. My final product depicts two pictures of the impacts of overproduction in the environment, as
well as it includes UNESCO’s 12th sustainable goal (Responsible consumption and production). According to the data shown
above, my final product is able to successfully raise awareness about the stated problem. However, from the functionality aspect,
this design does not allow the target audience to carry heavy and/or large grocery products, thus, failing to its original purpose as a
grocery bag. Furthermore, the colours used in this product are not at all appealing to my target market, as shown above, hence
failing to its aesthetic specifications and purpose. In addition to these flaws, the design of the final product was drastically changed,
consequently affecting its whole purpose and function. For instance, the product was meant to be wide enough to have a rigid
plastic base that would allow my target market to carry objects of various sizes; conversely, the final product’s base is not resistant
enough to even carry a medium sized grocery item. Similarly, it does not follow proper anthropometric measurements that would
avoid the audience from getting injured or tired easily. Overall, this product simply does not meet any of the given design criteria
after all.

This product, will not make a difference to my target market. As it was mentioned before, the design is able to raise awareness
about the problem, however, it would not be very useful to my audience. It would only be another tote bag designed to last for a few
months before breaking and not even serving its original purpose. We must recall that my product is directed to the primary grocery
shoppers of households, and its purpose is to make their life easier when transporting their goods around. Nevertheless, my final
product, as already mentioned several times, does not serve this purpose at all; and therefore, it is most likely to be ignored by my
target market. On the other hand, from and environmental point of view, this product does not only raise awareness about the
negative impacts of overproduction, but it is also made out of upcycled materials such as plastics and synthetic fabrics like
polyester and nylon. As it can be recalled from my research in Inquiring Analysing, some of the main contaminants in the world
apart from plastic are clothing made out of these specific materials. Making a product out of these materials can show the world,
and my target audience, that the life of used products does not end when they cease to serve their purpose or when they break;
but that this products can be used to make new ones and better ones (not like in this case). As a matter of fact, my product does
not only raise awareness about an environmental issue, but also about a potential solution: Circular Economy.