Design E - Portfolio
Design E - Portfolio
Unit Details
Unit Name- Home Decor
KC- Creativity
RC- Sustainability
GC- Personal and Cultural Expression (Artistry)
SOI- Creativity can inspire sustainability through enhancement of artistry.
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Unit Details
We were given the KC as creativity. The group that I am in believes that the RC is Resources
because we have to use the resources that we already have and are not being used, we will
preserve the resources that we already have and prevent them from going to waste and also
prevent the need of more resources. Our GC is globalization and sustainability because we
believe that our whole topic and product revolves around sustainability, and it is the topic that is
so to say the agenda of the world currently. This helps us connect with everyone on a global
level. Then I went to another group that had the same idea as our group for the GC, but they
chose Innovation as the RC. Which led me to ask the question, to what extent is Innovation a
more appropriate RC compared to resources, their argument was that looking purely at the KC
which is creativity. Innovation is an idea that comes under the umbrella term of creativity but
after an insightful discussion we both were able to justify our RC’s and we were able to agree to
disagree. Another RC that I found was markets and trends since the problem that I have
identified is that people think that recycled products are cheap and are just a quick fix compared
to an actual product. So, we are trying to change the mindset of the people which basically
means that we are changing the market. This leads to a change in trend and an increase in the
recycle products market.
GRASP Task
Goal: Your goal is to explore to what extent can creativity inspire sustainability through
enhancement of artistry.
Role: You are a Socio-environmentalist with a product designer past.
Audience: Your audience is a mixed group of consumers who are trying to enhance their
daily practices of sustainable living, interested in learning how to make new things out of old
things.
Situation: You gather with colleagues and decide to promote conscious sustainable living. To
campaign for the cause in a relatable manner, you decide to host a big exhibition-fair to
showcase various upcycling techniques (particularly, including weaving which is the
trademark of your locality). As a group, you have decided to create different upcycled.
products — some are kept simply as inspiring prototypes; some are available for purchase.
This exhibition is meant to be a week of celebration, important discussions, and exchange of
ideas. You not only facilitate your own stand but try to connect with your visitors to inspire
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them towards changing their habits to the best. The money raised during this exhibition will
be directed towards an NGO of your collective choice.
Product: Your product is a home décor object (you can work on one item or develop a series
of objects; you can work individually or form a small design agency). While your product can
showcase various mixed media rooted in upcycling, it must include at least a minor element
of weaving (it can also be entirely woven, should you prefer this technique).
Problem- The problem that I have noticed is that people need to be informed about how even
upcycled and recycled materials can be used to make functional, relevant and aesthetically
appealing products that can be used in our day-to-day life. I believe this is the problem because
people sometimes shy away from sustainable products because they think that it will be a
mediocre product and is more of a makeshift and cheap version of a product that would rather be
way better without recycled material, but that is not the case. It is my job to prove it.
These ideas that I have discovered that will both help me solve the problem I identified when
looking at the situation and also help me tackle some issues I come across in real life. For
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example the books on my shelf are extremely messy as there is no room for them and they end
up looking atrocious lying at the top of the shelf. That is why I came up with the example of
creating a pouch that I can hang on the side of my shelf to keep my notebooks in. It would be
space efficient because it requires only a slight amount of area and is multipurpose as it is not
only for notebooks almost anything can be kept in there. Another problem that I noticed was that
a cupboard in my mothers room is a collectors piece, meaning that they don’t make it anymore,
so that means that we can’t replace it but a thing that we have noticed is that there are a lot of
scratches on it, so the solution and the product that I have come up with to solve this solution is a
cover for all the cupboards that adds both aesthetic value and prevents in from and superficial or
abrasive damage.
5 Secondary
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My first method of learning how to weave comprised of a lot of research on the internet on
learning how to weave as a beginner and I realised that I would need to find a video to
understand how to weave as written text would not help me understand the task from a 3-D
perspective, so I was able to find a youtube video that helps me grasp the concept of paper
weaving well. My next technique was to refine my basic skill of paper weaving into a skill so
that I could easily create a wide array of designs and products. The main goal to make the
product in a vast variety is to make uniform strips of paper and spread them evenly such that
there are no deformities. If this has been done then we can make use of shapes and glue the
woven part altogether to make a pattern. To end my journey of weaving I asked Mr. Sanjay Jain
about the process of weaving using a professional setup and he showed me a weaving loom and a
weaving comb. These are two tools used in textile factories when products are made at mass.
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Swot Analysis
Strengths Opportunities
They have a unique selling point (USP) They are recognized by Vogue
which is that they are able to make MagazineTM and The New York Times
ethically sourced sustainable products that proving that they are a reliable source for
provide the same functionality to their non goods and services that they provide.
sustainable counterparts. They have their own magazine and
They have an extremely intuitive website publication which not only gives advice
with both information and the opportunity on the latest trends and advancements in
to buy their products with one click of a technology of sustainable fashion and
button. home decor they recommend products to
Their products have a range in price points buy from their website.
as well, so they are accessible to most
customers.
Weakness Threats
I believe one of their weaknesses could be A big threat to the growth of this company
that although they have a vast product is their lack of any patent or trademark
line, they cannot expand it any further which means that their idea can be easily
because of the limited amount of Home copied by many other suppliers with
decor and fashion products that can be of supposedly a better understanding of this
high quality and be made sustainably. field of business.
- West Elm is a widely regarded home decor company with outlets in 10+
countries. It is a pioneer of sustainable retail products
Swot Analysis
Strengths Opportunities
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They are a company with an immense Being well known helps them expand
amount of popularity which means that even more without needing to prove
they are already considered a trustable and themselves. They can increase and build
reliable goods and services provider. on that product line using these sourced
They have a versatile product line. materials for other products as well
Weakness Threats
- Viva terra is clean green sustainable home decor and outdoor luxury brand with an
idea to revolutionize the business forever.
Swot Analysis
Strengths Opportunities
They have a great website that is both Using both of these strengths they can
aesthetically pleasing and does a great job easily burst out on to the scenes as one of
to advertise their products. They have an the mainstream manufacturers and control
interesting idea, that aligns with the the business.
mindset of the younger generation,
Weakness Threats
Their manufacturing and site maintenance Having to choose between those things
cost are high limiting them to either make can be extremely damaging to a young
accessible products or have a higher business as they are not properly
margin on a product. accustomed to deal with it yet.
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I had noticed crayons lying on my table that were sitting there out of condition, broken, unusable
etc. and I noticed that candles are made out of the same material. This project includes collecting
crayons from and around my neighborhood and recycling them into scented candles that can be
sold. All of the products that we will sell will be made out of sustainable materials. A candle is
an essential part in an indian household whether it be a lighting up the home because of diwali or
just spreading energy throughout the house. This product completes the needs of my target
audience in a sustainable manner. This business is also not just limited to candles during Diwali
we can make clay diyas made out recycled clay fill them with wax and sell them. This product
also has a quick cheap and effective manufacturing process because crayon wax hardens faster
than candle wax. There will be three sizes of the candles small, medium and large and will be
made of one solid color. The name of this establishment has not yet been decided but will be one
of our priorities in the near future.
Guided Questions
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research?
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Cost There will be minimal So to keep up with the A ₹300 price point
cost mostly all of the cost of the borosil would help keep
products are upcycled, container we would my margins high
since we are using need to keep a bit of a but then the candles
crayons to make the wax steep margin and sell might become
for the candle and the one candle set (one seasonal or targeted
jeans are used. The only candle and the jeans to only one kind of
cost we will have is the cover) for about ₹300. audience.
borosil container. The Although it might seem
cost of one 31.4 x 11.5 high for a candle. The
cm borosil container is candle is quite large in
approx. ₹68. size.
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Function It will both work as a The only requirement It has only two
home décor item and an for this function to be functions and is not
incense as it will have an reflected is that the much versatile.
extremely powerful customer uses the
smell. candle as intended.
Materials Jeans, crayons, borosil We would need all of It is not that easy to
container these materials used to get these materials
keep the integrity of the continuously.
company and keep our
product upcycled.
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· Sew it together
using sewing
machine
· Look for
crayons in my home
· Go around the
society to ask
people for crayons
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· Place the
container in ice
· Alternate
between pouring
and waiting
Final Product
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realised that huge strides needed to be taken to even create a sustainable supply chain. That stride
needed to be in Advertisement and that would need an extremely high initial investment, that is
why extreme commitment is needed to even think about a project like this. One specification that
I think could be omitted is client because even if I don’t have a specific target audience my
primary research gave me a very clear idea of what people from every background, age group,
profession etc. prefer in a home decor and could have sold to those markets instead. One
specification that I added was uniqueness or WoW factor, throughout the investigation, planning,
creation stages, I was constantly wondering what is the uniqueness of the product and how it will
help me attract more customers.
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Appendix
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1.
● Peter, Cayley. “The Best Ethical and Sustainable Goods | Made Trade®.”
Mar. 2024.
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https://genesisglobalschools-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/tanish304130029_gen
esisgs_edu_in/EmO1izGtcgtAoUk8pHgZelABJ08zf9XlafOE2CyuVwjcKA?
e=uucNG5
Crafty Minds. “This Simple Paper Weaving Craft Is so Simple, You’ll Never
Figma Editorial Firm. “How to Create a Design Brief?” Figma, 12 Feb. 2023,
www.figma.com/resource-library/how-to-create-a-design-brief/. Accessed 6
Mar. 2024.
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