Wednesday 10 November 2010

Design Research Methods: Task 3: The Results of My Research

From household garbage to industrial waste, we are producing ever more rubbish. The results of my research wasn't very optimistic, but in order to develop my project I feel the need to post the statistics and answers I get from my subjects. So here are some staggering facts I reach after my investigation:
  • Fly-tipping costs British Government around £150m each year to clear up and more in other countries.
  • In 2009, 72% of newsprint was made from recycled paper, compared to 26% in 2002.
  • Around %20 of the food we buy is discarded, meaning that on average every household throws away £424 of wasted food each year.
  • On the average each household pays about £50 a year to their local authority to take their waste.
  • About %48 of the renewable gas and electricity in the UK now comes from the landfill gas.
 







Here is the two mapping I made through the information I collected during my research period.



When I was interviewing my subjects I shared those information with them to state their responses. As I mentioned I interview a British family (Two adults and a teenager) and a 25 year old masters student from my flat. After comparing the information I collected from my chats, I created a data conversation that I can check any time I need public opinion so here it is:
Are you aware of the damage we give environment individually? All four subjects answered No.
Do you think you have enough information about recycle? Except the teenager all three subjects started to defend themselves on they are doing what they supposed to about recycling. All of them believes that manufacturers and suppliers can do a lot more-so basically they are blaming someone else.
Who wastes the most in your family? I believe this was an inappropriate question because nobody in the family wanted blame someone else so they all answered-Equally.
Do you think this is related to age group or income? All four subjects stated that they think its more to do with understanding and education and I agree.
Are you doing anything to avoid this damage? Teenager and 25 years old subjects told me that they are apart of organizations to protect the environment-however the parents except that they are not doing anything besides recycling some of their waste-and at this point I release that most people have no idea about which objects are recyclable.
Do you think you spend enough time thinking and acting about environment? All four subjects answered No.
If you would have playful and easy solutions for re-using your wasters would you spend time to try? Three of the subjects answered-Yes, and asked about the solutions. The 25 years old subject answered-Probably Not, more important just to recycle the methods are not important. Naturally the parents were enthusiastic about the solution however I observe that I need find a way to get attention from youngster.
If you would be happy with the solutions for re-using your wasters would you show them to your friends and society? At this point all subjects started to ask questions on the method I am going to use for delivering the information to people via internet, a book or a magazine so I tell them more about my project and the responds were quiet positive.
Consequently, after putting together all the information I've collected, I believe it is time to start to develop some design outlines for my project. To be effective and get the best results in such a challenging concept like re-usage, I am planing to design a web-page, an iphone application and a booklet. Therefore I am trying to collect information, thinking about names and design concepts for my project. However I've noticed that when people hear the word "Waste", they started to prejudge the hole concept. So I need to find a title that will catch attention and ease my audience. Thus I am thinking about those two names; "Making Your Waste Work" and " What Do We Throw Away?". Moreover I hope I will manage to collect all the information I need at the end of this week and I will separate them to 5 main titles to start working on my design concept.

1 comment:

  1. References:

    Massive Change-Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries
    The Guardian Newspaper-Peter Grundy and Tilly Nothedge
    Visual Language for Desşgners-Connie Malamed
    1000 New Eco Designs and Where to Find Them- Rebecca Proctor

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