GRAPHIC DESIGN SRI LANKA

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
In many communities, it is hard to promote change towards a more sustainable way of life. Identify a community (e.g. a school, a local area) and a sustainability issue that affects it, and devise a 3D and a 2D campaign to promote a more sustainable way of life.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF
In many areas of Sri Lanka, a considerable amount of plastic waste is generated (e.g. plastic bags, plastic bottles). There is no waste collection scheme but some communities have begun to collect and recycle plastics for re-sale. They have been successful locally but would like to extend their ideas further afield. Design and make a 3D and 2D graphic to promote the idea of collecting plastics for recycling and re-sale.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘Sustainability Campaign’, which gives background information about a scheme in Dadella, Galle, Sri Lanka. It gives information about the area, the collection scheme, the recycling plant and shows how many plastics are reused for home gardening.

CLIENT DETAILS
Pushpa Nilanthi is the manager of the Waste Management Recycling Scheme in Galle. She works in partnership with an international charity, Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG). They have their headquarters in the UK but also have offices in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Your first point of contact will be ITDG UK, who can provide answers to many questions about the plastic recycling project. Contact their Development Education team by email ([email protected]) or by phone (01926-63441). If they cannot answer your queries, they will contact ITDG Sri Lanka or, if necessary, Pushpa at the Waste Management Recycling team in Galle.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• Pushpa’s team have already made a huge impact in a small part of the Dadella area. The people there are proud of the cleanliness of their community, and of the increased prosperity derived from their re-use of recycled plastics in their home gardens. It is a much more sustainable community as a result - social sustainability.
• The recycling plant is a collective operation. People work a rota and they all benefit from the sale of the recycled plastics - economic sustainability.
• The recycling and reuse of plastics means that less waste is generated and this has environmental implications.

INTERESTED? WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘Sustainability Campaign’ for further reference materials and website links.

ITDG 2: PACKAGING

PRODUCT DESIGN KENYA

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
Many people can only afford to buy their every day items like flour or sugar in small amounts. In some countries, buying goods and re-packaging for re-sale is a useful income generating activity. Investigate the process of re-packaging and design and make a sustainable method for use in your chosen context.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEFS
A. Product Design. Juicing kit.
In many parts of Kenya, fruit is bought in large quantities, juiced and sold to local markets. It has a short shelf-life. Design and make a kit to enable a small scale producer to produce small cartons of juice for sale in a local market.

B. Product Design. De-bulking and re-packaging.
In Kenya, small enterprises produce flour for sale in small quantities (1/4 kilo) in local markets. Design and make a small machine that would enable them to weigh, package and seal amounts quickly and efficiently.

C. Graphics. Fruit juice container and advertising.
Design and make a 3D container suitable for packing and selling fruit juice in local markets in Kenya. Design a 2D poster to advertise the product.

D. Graphics. Peanut butter container and advertising.
Design and make a suitable container plus labelling for packaging and selling peanut butter in the Nakuru district of Kenya. Design a 2D poster to accompany your packaging.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘Packaging’, which gives more information about the types of small enterprises currently operating in Kenya.

CLIENT DETAILS
ITDG works in several towns as well as the capital of Kenya, Nairobi. They are in regular touch with individuals and groups trying to improve their own and their community’s well-being. Your first point of contact will be ITDG UK, who can provide answers to many of the questions you may have about packaging. Contact the Education team by email, [email protected], or telephone, 01926-634441. They will contact ITDG East Africa and, if necessary, individual clients on your behalf if they are unable to answer any of your questions themselves.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• For many people in Kenya, developing ideas that would help them lead a more sustainable economic life is a priority. They do not lack ideas themselves but sometimes do not have the time or resources to be able to develop them. Your ideas could lead to greater economic stability for individuals or groups.
• Many items available in Kenya have been made overseas and imported. The aim of your project should be to develop a product that could be made locally using local skills, techniques and resources.
• Resources are scarce in Kenya, especially outside Nairobi. Designing and making that enables recycling or reuse of materials is therefore advantageous.

INTERESTED? WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘Packaging’ for further reference material and useful website links.

ITDG 3: SUSTAINABLE POWER

PRODUCT DESIGN KENYA, SRI LANKA

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
There are several sources of renewable energy. In many countries, micro-hydro power is a potential source wherever there is a reliable water supply. Investigate the appropriateness of micro-hydro power for an area of your choice and design and make a small machine that could harness that power for use in a small enterprise.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF A. Product design. Flour mill.
Micro-hydro electric power has just been developed in the Kirinyaga area of Kenya. Flour is milled extensively using diesel and by hand at the moment. Design and make or model an electric flour-milling machine capable of being used by a small enterprise in the area. Consider the implications of scaling up in order to operate the machine in Kenya.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE B. Product design. Small machines.
There are several other small enterprises that could be set up in the Kirinyaga area. Other possibilities include sunflower processing, welding, curing, cooking or carpentry. Design and make or model a machine suitable for any small enterprise in this area.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘Micro-hydro electricity’. It will give you background on areas in Kenya where micro-hydro schemes are operational and the sort of small enterprises being developed there.

CLIENT DETAILS
ITDG works in several towns as well as the capital of Kenya, Nairobi. They are in regular touch with individuals and groups trying to improve their own and their community’s well-being. Your first point of contact will be ITDG UK, who can provide answers to many of the questions you may have about micro-hydro. Contact the Education team by email, [email protected], or telephone, 01926-634441. They will contact ITDG East Africa and, if necessary, individual clients on your behalf if they are unable to answer any of your questions themselves.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• For many people in Kenya, developing ideas that would help them lead a more sustainable economic life is a priority. They do not lack ideas themselves but sometimes do not have the time or resources to be able to develop them. Your ideas could lead to greater economic stability for individuals or groups.
• Many items available in Kenya have been made overseas and imported. The aim of your project should be to develop a product that could be made locally using local skills, techniques and resources.
• Resources are scarce in Kenya, especially outside Nairobi. Designing and making that enables recycling or reuse of materials is therefore advantageous.

INTERESTED? WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘Sustainable Power’ for further reference material and useful website links.

ITDG 4: RAINWATER HARVESTING

PRODUCT DESIGN SRI LANKA, KENYA

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
Ensuring an adequate water supply for domestic and agricultural use is a problem in many parts of the world. However, there are opportunities for harvesting rainwater when rains do come. Investigate possible methods of harvesting water, and design and make a method for filtering or storing water suitable for your chosen context.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF
In Sri Lanka rainy seasons are becoming less predictable. Therefore capitalising on rainwater when it does fall is increasingly important. Investigate different methods of collecting or filtering rainwater and design and make a filtration or collection system suitable for the dry areas of Sri Lanka.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘Rainwater harvesting’. This identifies the areas of Sri Lanka where rainwater harvesting is possible and gives details of materials and skills available locally.

CLIENT DETAILS
ITDG has offices in Colombo, Sri Lanka and works with other organisations there to help people to help themselves. ITDG’s headquarters are in the UK and the Education unit there is your first point of contact. They will be able to provide answers to many of your questions about rainwater harvesting. Contact the team by email [email protected] or by phone 01926-634441. If they cannot answer your queries, they will contact ITDG in Sri Lanka or, if necessary, rainwater harvesters themselves.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• Rainwater harvesting can play a vital role in the ability of a community to sustain itself economically, especially where the rainwater is used for agricultural purposes.
• Resources are scarce in Sri Lanka, especially outside Colombo. Designing and making that enables recycling or reuse of materials is therefore advantageous.

INTERESTED? WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘Rainwater Harvesting’ for further reference material and website links.

ITDG 5: SUSTAINABLE COOKING

PRODUCT DESIGN SRI LANKA

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
Cooking outdoors on an open fire is a summer treat in many northern hemisphere countries it. In the southern hemisphere it is often their way of life. Investigate existing practices of open-fire cooking and design and make a cooking stove which is as fuel-efficient as possible.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF
In many areas of Sri Lanka, people use a three- stone open fire to cook and boil water for both domestic use and in small catering enterprises. Design and make a fuel-efficient cooking stove appropriate for Sri Lanka, using materials and techniques available locally.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘Sustainable Cooking’, that gives information about traditional cooking methods in Sri Lanka, and some of the stoves that have been developed there. It gives background information about the sorts of materials available for producing stoves, and the skills and equipment available in the area.

CLIENT DETAILS
ITDG has offices in Colombo, Sri Lanka and also works in partnership with other local organisations interested in fuel-efficient cooking. ITDG has its headquarters in the UK and it would be your first point of contact. Email the education team at [email protected] or telephone 01926-634441. If they are unable to answer your questions, they will contact ITDG South-East Asia, or one of the people directly involved in fuel-efficient, energy-saving cooking.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• Conservation of wood as a fuel source is especially important in areas of short supply and where trees are not being replaced.
• Three stone fires present numerous hazards both in safety and health so any method that reduces smoke impact would be helpful.
• Producing stoves that could be made and sold locally would enhance traditional skills and provide employment opportunities.
• Three stone fires are very fuel inefficient and hard to control.

INTERESTED? WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘Sustainable Cooking’ for further reference material and any relevant website links.

ITDG 6: CARRYING EQUIPMENT

PRODUCT DESIGN - TEXTILES KENYA

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
All over the world, people have to carry a wide variety of equipment or goods to carry out their jobs - the tools of their trade. Investigate the problem of carrying equipment. Design and make a sustainable method of carrying equipment or goods for the person or occupation of your choice.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF
In some areas of Kenya, many veterinary problems are dealt with by paravets (similar to paramedics). Currently they travel by bicycle, carrying their equipment in plastic sacks pushed into rucksacks. Design and make a textile portable equipment carrier for a Kenyan paravet.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘The Paravet’ , for background information on the work of the vet, roads in Kenya, the equipment carried, distances travelled, what the vets would like.

CLIENT DETAILS
Paul Mande is a paravet in Mtoti Andei, Kenya. He was trained for his work by an international charity, Intermediate Technology Education Group (ITDG). Although their headquarters are in the UK, they have offices in Nairobi and regionally in Kenya. Your first point of contact will be ITDG UK, who can provide answers to many questions about the work of the paravets. Contact their Development Education team by email ([email protected]) or by phone (01926-634441). They will contact ITDG East Africa if they are unable to answer your query, and, if necessary, Paul Mande or one of his colleagues can be contacted to give personal advice.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• Paul works in a community that depends on agriculture and livestock for their survival. By producing a purpose built carrier you will help to sustain him, his family and his community. Animal welfare is improved dramatically wherever paravets operate.
• Bags can be bought locally but are not purpose built nor are they made locally. Most are made in China. Your bag could contribute to the local economy if it can be made using local materials and local skills.
• Resources are scarce in rural Kenya. Designing and making a bag from recycled materials would ensure that resources are not depleted unnecessarily.

INTERESTED? WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘The Paravet’ for further reference material and website links.

ITDG 7: CARRYING EQUIPMENT

PRODUCT DESIGN - TEXTILES UK

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
All over the world, people have to carry a wide variety of equipment or goods to carry out their jobs - the tools of their trade. Investigate the problem of carrying equipment. Design and make a sustainable method of carrying equipment or goods for the person or occupation of your choice.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF
Joiners in the UK have to carry large amounts of tools, nails, screws etc. when they work on building sites. Investigate the equipment joiners use for carrying equipment. Design and make a sustainable method of carrying tools etc. that is practical, safe (can be carried without risk to backs, and up and down ladders), and which is better than the existing methods.
At present joiners usually use plastic boxes for getting tools and materials to and from building sites. The most common problem is that the hinges or clasps of the boxes break before the body wears out. So they buy a new box and throw the old one away. In the past joiners used wooden boxes and hessian bags, both of which used more sustainable materials. Design and make a container (or containers) for a joiner to carry tools in.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Click on ‘Joiner’s bag’.

CLIENT DETAILS
There are joiners in every town. You might find a company or individual joiner who is willing to act as your client by looking in the Yellow Pages. Discuss with them their needs, and how their activities or products could be made more efficient and more sustainable. You can find out from the joiner the exact nature of the tools they carry every day (types of tool, sizes and weights, and whether they need to be protected).

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• The plastic boxes currently used are based on non-renewable resources.
• When they break they are thrown away.
• Manufacturing plastic boxes can give rise to toxic emissions.
• Are renewable or recycled materials a possibility?
• Is it possible to design and make more robust system that lasts longer?
• Carrying the boxes currently in use is unsafe - people can hurt their backs, and carrying them up and down ladders is not easy.
• Is there a market for customised containers for joiners’ tools?

INTERESTED? WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?
Click on ‘Joiner’s bag’ for background information, and for links and further reference material.

ITDG 8: SYSTEMS AND CONTROL DESIGN CONTEXTS

The exam boards require that students know about such topics related to systems and control
• Electrical systems
• Electronic systems
• Mechanical systems
• Pneumatic systems
• Programmable control devices
• Materials
• Components
• Principles and techniques of testing applied to system design
• Industrial and commercial practice - manufacturing systems
• Industrial and commercial practice - forms of energy and impact on design and manufacturing and the environment
• Market-pull and technology-push
• New technologies including CAD/CAM, CIS, CIM.

There are three possible strategies for finding worthwhile design contexts.

Strategy 1 - specific sectors
In any the following sustainability can be introduced by designing a more sustainable product.
Occupational therapy / health related products
Many people need some kind of equipment to make life better for them. There are opportunities for linking with the OT department of heath service providers, special needs schools, old people’s homes etc. to find a client and/or end-user who needs a specialised device. A word of warning - often the need is immediate and the end-user might be frustrated if the whole project lasts for months and months.

Organic horticulture / farming
As more people wish to buy organically produced foods from local suppliers, more organic farms and nurseries are appearing. Usually these have a strong bias towards sustainability. Many run on low budgets. There are always needs for automated devices for germination, irrigation, temperature and humidity control. A device to simulate an environment (in which temperature, humidity, sunlight are controlled) could be useful for experimental purposes. There might well be design briefs from a local nursery or farm.

Leisure boating and commercial fishing
Boats away from harbour or moorings do not have access to mains electricity. There is a range of safety equipment that must be reliable in all conditions. Domestic equipment must be small, easy to stow, energy efficient and safe. Commercial fishers need to sort and clean fish. Are there any unmet needs or products used in boats that could be more sustainable with the right sort of control systems in place?

Dealing with waste
As everyone becomes more conscious of the need to conserve and recycle, there is a growing demand for products such as can crushers, methods of sorting plastics, systems for sorting waste in large institutions. Some of these might lend themselves to an automated system. Are there any local institutions or companies that might be able to supply a design brief?

Security / warning devices
Many GCSE projects involve some sort of detector, system and audible or visible output, such as bicycle locks or detectors on fishing floats. Are there possible industrial applications - such as a detector for a hod / lorry / silo to show how full it is, security devices for people with impaired sight or mobility? Are there warning devices needed on building sites or farms - both areas that suffer a high proportion of industrial accidents? Are there other needs in the construction industries - e.g. a smart system for logging / controlling use of materials?

Strategy 2 - a technology-push approach
Many electronics students at GCSE develop products that are inappropriate in an age where PICs, smart cards etc. are readily available.

Can the student identify a product which currently relies on manufactured circuits, but which would be more sustainable if these technologies are used?

Are there possibilities of redesigned systems that use renewable energy rather than conventional oil / gas fired electricity generation?

Are there new materials (e.g. smart materials) that open up possibilities of more sustainable products and systems?

Can anything be done in the area of smart food storage, by which items in the fridge which are approaching their ‘use by’ date can identify themselves to the cook (possibly with automated recipe selection)?

A starting point here would be some sort of product analysis, using a tool such as the Ecoindicator or Design Abacus, and then generating a brief using the emerging criteria for improvement.

Strategy 3 - piggy-backing
Some of the existing SDA design contexts might lend themselves to an outcome that is challenging for an ‘A’ level Systems and Control (S&C) student.

Alternatively, there is no reason why another student should not be the client for an S&C student. For example, the Low Impact Building contexts suggest daylight maximising, waste minimisation and an energy efficient house. These suggest product design outcomes. But the students might need some sort of instrumentation and/or data logging system to test the effectiveness of their designs. The student who developed classroom furniture made from recycled cardboard packaging for Zimbabwean schools might have benefited from a device to simulate classroom use, or a strain gauge to identify weak areas. Developing such an automated or semi-automated testing device would be an excellent S&C project. Within the SDA network of schools there is a real opportunity for S&C students to get design briefs from other students.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Once a student has expressed interest in following up a specific design brief, they can look at the supporting information. The information is intended to give students

• Help in starting to think about possible design ideas
• Help in looking for further information
• Pointers about use of different materials and resources
• Help in keeping sustainability issues in their minds.

Students will also find the assessment criteria and checklists useful in their early thinking. It may be helpful to download them and keep them in their folders for regular checking.