I believe that the person I was prior to studying environmental design is significantly different from the person I am today. Although I was very invested and interested in environmental and social activism, I have never realised the alarming rate and need for urgent change, and the magnitude of the issues we are facing today. Whilst learning about the issue, I was also introduced to so many solutions and alternative ways of researching topics in depth. In the lectures which inspired me as a designer, especially the concept of cradle to cradle, as graphic design, by nature is quite a wasteful practice, I never realised that with slight confederation and research, I will be able to produce in a more eco-friendly manner. It has even inspired me to incorporate recycled materials to my other projects and work on developing sustainable methods of energy extraction such as the sustainable garden design that I worked on for Alpassion institute below.
Furthermore I found the debates to be extremely exciting and informative, I enjoyed learning about new aspects of environmental topics and have gained immense knowledge of my peers, especially ones who have worked in recycling sectors. I have found it to be difficult at the beginning working with students from different backgrounds, but after the reading groups, I found exchanging knowledge from different majors to be very resourceful. I also enjoyed the array of topics presented in the lectures, I felt it expanded my knowledge and gave me freedom to write about different interesting topics and touch points, which allowed me to combine my knowledge from my practice alongside the new findings in readings and material. I enjoyed the workshops, I believe the most useful aspect was definitely working under a time constraint, although it was intimidating at first, I found that a lot can be done, as an example, I enjoyed redesigning the postage services to a more eco-friendly approach, with good teamwork, we were able to think of redesigning a whole system in under an hour, which opened my eyes to bigger opportunities of what can be achieved with more time if one had the determination and drive. I’ve also enjoyed the recycling workshop and the use of minimal material, having hands on experience of materials we’ve analysed thoroughly throughout this term was very eye opening, interrogating the reality of recycling in contrast to the theory of recycling, and the waste produced and the difficulties in the making process were aspects I haven’t considered before. Furthermore, I have noticed an improvement in my writing as the weeks progressed, with my growing knowledge of different themes, my favourite theme was materiality. I have found it to be interesting and filled with endless possibilities of environmental change. To conclude, I believe this module has inspired me and expanded my horizon, I truly believe I have gained a bank of knowledge that will serve me in instilling change in the future as a designer, and as a person who cares about the future of our planet.
