Who Killed the electric car?

“Who killed the electric car?” is a documentary that projects the life of the electric car as an alternative friendly solution in relation to that of normal petrol cars and its effects towards the environment and human being.

Electric car was created in the early 20^th century and was phased out 100 years ago. It first appeared in California around the 90’s to 2006.  However, business competitors competitively dropped the price of gas/petroleum powered internal combustion engine (ICE). ‘Dropping the price’ sounded pleasant for the ears but worsening problems cause by gas/petrol cars continue to rise like smog, child asthma, CO2 emission and global warming.

Several companies tried to design and produced alternative solutions to run the car using alternative power source like General Motor’s ‘SunRaycer’, which is a solar powered electric car. GM expanded the production several years after in small scale production. Electric vehicles continuous production cased arguments between the car companies, the government and the consumer. Electric vehicles leases and won some rights in able to continue the production. However, when the leases expire they immediately crushed the left over vehicles and removed the records of their existence. Of course, member of the government who commanded this action were members or former members of oil and car companies.

It is interesting how ‘some people’ would choose and promote unsustainable and harmful products and options for their own sake compromising the environment and its effect to humans.  It is clearly portrayed in this documentary that the death of electric car is due to government and their connection towards the oil companies and not giving a chance to develop electric car further. Illustration of the use of alternative solution like solar powered cars to generate electricity is effective in reducing the carbon pollution. Designers must see this documentary in order to gain further knowledge about design and its relation towards the environment, government and consumers.

Accessible Packaging: Sandwich Packaging

Packaging Concept

This concept is different towards the other sandwich packaging. The design is fairly simple which compose of two parts the top cardboard cover and bottom wax paper. To open it, you just need to pull the top part while holding the bottom area and after that elderly arthritis sufferers in hospital can eat straight away without a hesitation that they can open the packaging easily and therefore theres no starvation and malnutrition. In spite of simple design the aim to keep the sandwich fresh and sealed remains within it.

concept

The social issue is elderly patients with arthritis starve and suffer malnutrition cause of food is now individually sealed/ packaged for safety purpose like sandwiches which is sealed in plastic in hospitals. For that reason elderly with arthritis struggle to open or even tear the packaging for sandwiches cause of arthritis. Furthermore, asking help from the nurses are not an option for these elderly patients.

My solution is to design a packaging that is simple yet enticing that showcase the food and easy to open for elderly patients yet sealed and protects the sandwich.

My first concept is a sandwich packaging that is made out of wax paper (also used for milks) and the unique lid which is made out of wood (maple or orange wood). Wood is scientifically known releases an antimicrobial qualities therefore it is safe to use it. The lid can be easily lift up without the use of too much force and it will serve as a plate for the sandwich. Every materials can be recyclable the compartment can be thrown away the bin straight away but I thought MAYBE the lid can be sent back the hospital kitchen or the supplier which will have a quality sanitation. At the wooden lid can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

My second concept is sandwich packaging made out wax paper for fresher food. The packaging will be sealed by a paper wrap round the middle section were all the labels will be printed on. This paper can be easily slide out the box. The half part of the box can be easily lift up. And on the side of the packaging I allocated a two sauce compartments for patients choice and they can just push the bottom part of the sauce to take it out. Also without the sauce on the side compartment, elders can use that as a holder while eating the sandwich on the packaging.

The last concept will be made out of again wax paper. It is simple to open just slide the lid out and again the lid will serve as a mini plate for the patients.

All of the concepts are designed simple which is the aim and main idea to help the elderly arthritis sufferers patients in the hospital to use minimal strength/force. The packaging have simple yet designed innovatively throughout and with unique material choice. With this packaging not only the elderly will benefit but every patients in the hospital.

Project2 Concept

Social problem: Easy pouring, control and handling of acrylic bottles for young-older adult artists 

The design of this acrylic bottle/tetrapack? dispenser offers better handling for teenagers to older adults especially with special assistance involving arthritis/rheumatism. It has a handle where you can slip your hand in to hold and assist for easy squeezing of the paint. The shape of the packaging also helps for easy squeeze and drag motion from its bottom to top part where artists can maximize the use of paint especially when theres not much paint left instead of tipping and shaking the bottle repeatedly. The lid will be smaller and will involve a silicon valve cap for better dispensing control, again for maximizing the paint usage in comparison to the old packaging where paint sometimes burst when trying to dispense from the 1Liter bottle. With the 250 ml jar theres no scoop or spatula included and therefore involves tipping the jar and wasting paint with no control. In terms of storage it saves space with its shape, in addition artists can easily slip the paint into their storage or bags if needed for outdoor painting.

How its made: Packaging and Giving packaging a new life

“How it’s made: Packaging” and “Giving Packaging a new life”  are both episodial documentaries that deliver us crucial insights about recycling wastes like packaging as well as how these different types of packaging are made. Also, in a stealth way, these documentaries are trying to teach us to be more aware and conscious in choosing materials for packing and its impacts in its end life.

The documentary ‘How it’s made: Packaging’ showed how a cardboard boxes is made. They compose of 3 basic but crucial elements which are a wavy sheet bonded in the middle of two separate liners or flat sheets to have a strong foundation. This interest me, because cardboard boxes are tough but manufacturers only used an ancient type of glue which is made out of starch and water. Having said, this plays a great impact in recycling the cardboard. For the reason being that being a paper-base product and with a natural water-starch glue the process of dissolving and pulping would be more natural in a way. This is also the same process used for paper recycling which is showed in ‘Giving a packaging a new life’.

If manufacturers and designers wants a packaging material that protects and for long shelf life, aluminium is always available as an affordable choice. Aluminium cans like what is used for soft drink is one example of protect and long life packaging. In the process of making this aluminium can it’s amazing how aluminium sheets punched into a cylindrical pieces/moulds to form a can. Water-based coating is applied into the can that serves as a barrier between the material and the drink. This is done to avoid contamination and taste the aluminium in the drink. This is evident from the ‘how its made’ documentary. In ‘Giving a packaging a new life’ it shows aluminium and plastic excess from making a tetra pack can also be recycled for cement production.

Plastic bottles like PET are the most popular and widely used throughout the world because is the easiest type of plastic to be recycled. It is crucial to sort out the type of plastics before recycling in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

It is very crucial for designers to think the type of materials to use in making packaging. Correct decision from choosing the material, process in making and consumer’s end process will affect the whole world at the end. Having eco-friendly materials to make packaging have less carbon footprints which is healthy for individuals and the environment. Lastly, designers should not be insensitive in making decision and be more consciousness for future living and earth’s preservation which I think is communicated in the two documentaries How its made: Packaging and Giving packaging a new life.     

     

Sudio 2A Project1: Tech Drawing Resubmition