Video Reflection 1 : Giving a package a new life & How it's made

The way materials are utilised in design is a majorly important factor in the way designers think of concepts and products. Designers consider all aspects of the materials; before, during, and after the lifetime of the product itself. One process and idea that is considered mainly the most is the process of recycling.

Recycling often shapes the products designers make in terms of materials used. But first the concept of recycling has to be understood by designers, in order to deliver ecologically sustainable products. Recycling as a whole to many consumers and normal people, is heavily thought to be based on paper and cardboard, in which can be recycled easily. However what many people still do not understand is that recycling covers a vast amount of materials including; glass, steel, aluminium, batteries, and plastic packaging.

However, since 'green' and ecological sustainable packaging is mainly seen as paper and cardboard, mainy designs have been made to attract consumers to their products. This is even done with packaging that have no benefit to the product itself, and may even hinder the quality and protection of the product.

As a designer, it is important to realise that some materials; even though they may be more ecological, it may not be healthy for the product that is being sold.

Through recycling, a package can be given new life, as explored in the video. This is an exciting prospect, in creating better systems in which packaging is recycled and given new life over and over again, until the recycling process is finished with it. If more products and companies can adopt to a large scale system in which the materials will be recycled and used as new packaging, this would save on materials, be kinder to the earth, reduce production costs and encourage reuse of materials.

An interesting process of the making of corrugated cardboard is an excellent method in which soft paper can be sourced from nearly everywhere. This method is perfect for paper which is usually made soft through the process of being thrown out and sent to other places.

As an aspiring designer, recycling and materials used in order to achieve this, is of great importance to the development of ecologically sustainable packaging and products. As designers we also have a moral obligation to help the world and the environment, and as new designers are becoming more aware of the earth and the environment, the future will be a more sustainable one.