Phase 02 - Week 05
Research Journal
This is a record of my project development, showing my weekly tasks, research, design development processes, critical reflection and regular peer reviews.
LO2: Contextualise — Appraise the social, political and historical contexts in which design practice operates.
LO8: Design — Realise a final solution that evidences its strategic journey and clear relationship between form and function.
LO9: Communicate — Communicate effectively in a range of contexts and situations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Project Recap - Week 5
Last week:
I visited the Super Graphics Festival Newhaven
I looked at Hawarf agency notes, including business plans, marketing strategies, and profit/loss sheets. (Downloaded and saved on a hard drive!)
This week:
Delve more into my community and its sustainable habits
Phase 02/Wk 05: Define, Test + Prepare
Design for good
Discovering my own carbon footprint
After discovering Anthony Burrills Oil and Water work, in the previous week, and how design can be used to get an environmental message across, I wondered if I could create a piece to ‘Design for Good’.
As a graphic designer based in semi-rural East Grinstead, I've realised that understanding my own carbon footprint is vital to becoming more conscious of my environmental impact. Using the WWF Footprint Calculator https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ I can better understand how my lifestyle choices contribute to carbon emissions and compare them to the national average of 8.8 tonnes per person annually.
It's concerning to see that in my town, East Grinstead (RH19), the average footprint is significantly higher, at 14.2 tonnes per person. This gap suggests that there are areas where we, as a community, can make meaningful changes.
Reflecting on this, I am uniquely positioned to influence positive change as a designer. There are so many opportunities to incorporate more sustainable practices into my work, from the materials I choose to how I approach the design process. More importantly, this is also a chance to inspire others in my community to rethink their habits - by encouraging more energy-efficient solutions, promoting local sourcing, or raising awareness about everyday choices' in their environmental impact.
Reducing our carbon footprint as a community won't happen overnight (1% incremental changes - James Clear, Atomic Habits), but small, thoughtful shifts can make a big difference. As I progress through this module, I'd like to explore more into how design can be a tool for sustainability and how I can contribute to a greener, more responsible future for East Grinstead, my home town.
Taking the questionnaire revealed my own personal carbon footprint
I discovered that the carbon footprint was higher than the UK average on my area
Changing attitudes
Is this a wake up sign to take action?
Looking at the data made me realise there will be no significant change if action isn’t taken. I decided to look into small incremental changes that could make a difference to daily life.
Reducing our collective carbon footprint will require both individual actions and local initiatives. Here are a few areas where I thought we could start to make a difference:
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One of the significant contributors to carbon emissions in our town is likely transportation. By encouraging more eco-friendly travel options, we can make a substantial impact.
Promote Cycling and Walking: Creating safer bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly routes can reduce car use for short trips. We could organise "car-free" days or group bike rides to raise awareness as a community. I know the current Town Mayor, Steve Ody, is an avid cyclist and really promotes cycling over using the car. There is a local initiative called ‘Kidical mass’, aimed at kids and parents all invited on a regular meet to go on a group bike ride around the town and neighbouring areas.
Support Public Transport: Improving and promoting local buses and trains can reduce reliance on private cars. At the moment it seems that the only people who use the bus are those with free bus passes and school children. Being a semi rural area the timetable can be a bit hit and miss! Maybe by offering incentives or running a Saturday late night bus could help shift habits.
Carpooling and Electric Vehicles (EVs): I sit in a car by myself every morning on the way to my studio, which is probably not very sustainable thinking, I'm sure there are other doing the exact same journey . Setting up a community carpool networks and encouraging the use of electric vehicles by installing more EV charging stations around the town could lower emissions from personal vehicles.
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Our community can also work on reducing energy consumption in households and commercial spaces.
Home Insulation and Energy Audits: Providing resources and workshops on home insulation and energy audits can help residents make their homes more energy-efficient, cutting down on unnecessary heating or cooling.
Solar Power and Renewable Energy: Encouraging the adoption of solar panels and other renewable energy sources can further reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Community-wide initiatives or subsidies for renewable installations could make this more affordable and accessible.
Community Projects: We could explore the creation of a community energy cooperative, where local renewable energy is generated and shared among residents.
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Waste generation is another key factor in the town’s carbon footprint. Adopting a circular economy approach can reduce emissions related to manufacturing and disposal.
Promote Recycling and Composting: Improving recycling facilities and raising awareness about proper recycling can ensure less waste ends up in landfills. Community composting schemes can also help reduce food waste.
Support Local Upcycling and Repair Initiatives: Hosting workshops that teach skills like repairing clothes, upcycling furniture, or refurbishing electronics could extend the life of products, reducing consumption.
Plastic-Free Initiatives: Encouraging businesses and residents to reduce single-use plastic consumption through "plastic-free" campaigns can significantly cut waste.
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Supporting local, sustainable products can lower the carbon footprint associated with transportation and production.
Local sourcing: Promoting the use of locally sourced materials for design, food, and goods will reduce transportation emissions and support our local economy and businesses.
Sustainable Construction and Design Practices: Encouraging builders and designers to adopt sustainable materials and construction methods can lead to more eco-friendly buildings.
Green Markets and Events: We do actually have a weekly Thursday market with local artisans and traders showcasing their products, which can build a culture of sustainability within the community.
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Finally, raising awareness and providing education on the impact of carbon footprints can motivate action.
Workshops and Talks: Hosting regular community events focused on green topics such as energy efficiency, sustainable gardening and eco-friendly living encouraging residents to make incremental daily changes in their daily lives.
School Involvement: Engaging schools with sustainability projects can inspire the next generation to adopt better practices and educate their families as well.
Community Challenges: Launching challenges that encourage households to reduce their carbon footprints (such as reducing energy use or cutting down on single-use plastics) can foster a sense of collective responsibility.
Thoughts and ideas
East Grinstead can significantly reduce its carbon footprint by coming together as a community and focusing on these areas. Each small step (1% gains as mentioned by James Clear in Atomic Habits), from using public transport more often to supporting local businesses, could make a difference.