Sustainable Design

I was first introduced to the topic of 'Sustainable design' in my first year by Jackson Poretta in
one of the courses. He spoke about some brilliant designers and how sustainable design is
taking over the world and is the need of future.
The course was about creating structures using all recyclable materials and at zero cost. We all
worked as a group and created an arch out of clay bricks in the college campus.
sustainablity has a very simple meaning. It means to exist constantly. Jackson also showed us
designs of some modern independent and sustainable houses which exist without being
dependent on any outside sources. The houses use solar energy to generate electricity, have
bio toilets and use rain water harvesting. These houses were made of all recyclable, natural
materials.
During the interim, in first year we were taken to Wayanad for a group tour. It was then when I
was introduced to the concept of minimalism and how it goes hand in hand with sustainability as
well. These people lived in bamboo houses which were waterproof completely and constructed
by locals. They lived in small communities were they all helped each other on daily basis. They
had a small amount of land where they grew their own crops. Most of the things which they
used in their daily lives were made of natural materials. The utensils, their jewelry, their houses,
the bamboo cycles. They also sold handmade and handcrafted items for their earnings. They
had planned their lifestyles in such a way that they were not dependant on any outsider for
anything.
I feel sustainable design is the need for future and how deeply it can impact our lifestyle,
standards of living and million other problems.
It was just a month back when I came across Yulu bikes in Bangalore when I visited home.
These bikes are lithium powered scooters which can cover 10kms and are designed to Address
the traffic and pollution problems. These bikes are also very simple to ride and require no
licence and very little maintainance. At that moment I imagined Bangalore all pollution and traffic
free running only on e-vehicles.
It was in my third year when I was working on designing an app which promotes and helps
people lead a sustainable lifestyle. It was during my research when I came across a designer
who created everything which is required in our daily life from recyclable and natural materials. It
was focussed on leading a zero waste lifestyle. He taught in his videos how we can create the
most basic things on our own. For example radium and solar lights, self cooling fans and air
conditioners, chairs and even the most basic things like soaps, toothpastes, shampoos,
toothbrushes etc.
We designers sometimes create things which are not really needed. Instead of coming up with
simple solutions we think from a business mindset and design things which are only
complicating lives.
I was doing a HCD course in my third year and we had to come up with a design solution for
students who find it difficult to wake up early or on time. While we were researching on this topic
we came across several apps and gadgets which were designed just to wake a person up.
There were several types of alarm clocks, flying alarm clocks, running alarm clocks, alarm
clocks with certain aromas etc. There were no designs which actually focused on solving the
actual cause of the problem and do not provide permanent solution at all.
I was working on my semester 7 project focussed on developing fine motor skills in
preschoolers. While looking at existing Solutions, I came across several toys and art related
activities which help develop fine motor skills. The best one I came across was flintobox. But
during my research and after talking to few of the faculties I realized that this is a skill which has
to be learn and not taught and how everything that a kid has in his / her environment can help
them learn fine motor skills for example the interaction with their peers and adults, going to
different public places like parks and markets, using some things like toothbrushes, soaps,
papers, pencils.
I feel we are designers sometimes create things which are not really needed and do not provide
any permanent solution. My vision and my aim is to deepen my understanding of sustainable
design and how it can be easily implemented in the lifestyle of people.