On completion of this unit, the student should be able to develop a sustainable object, considering design’s influence and factors that influence design.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 3. This Area of Study focuses on the develop & deliver stages of the design process.
Key knowledge
influences on design such as economic, technological, cultural, environmental and social factors
the influence of design on behaviours, interactions, systems and outcomes
sustainable and circular design practices, and their value
manual and digital methods, design elements and principles relevant to the design of three-dimensional objects
rendering techniques used to simulate surfaces, materials, texture and form, and depict the direction of light, shade and shadow
technical drawing conventions appropriate for the documentation of object designs
appropriate design terminology.
Key skills
research and analyse past and present influences on design
research and analyse the influence of design in past and present contexts
select and use appropriate manual and/or digital methods, media and materials to represent and render forms
select appropriate design elements and principles when developing a sustainable object
adopt circular design practices during the Develop and Deliver stages of the VCD design process
annotate design ideas and concepts using design terminology
apply two-dimensional drawing methods, such as technical flats or third-angle orthogonal projections, to depict objects from multiple views
apply three-dimensional drawing methods, such as isometric or perspective drawing, to represent the form and structure of objects
apply appropriate technical drawing conventions to documentation drawings.
1 folio page: Highlight & annotate.
Read through the design brief document. Paste in your folio to start Outcome 3 work. Highlight key information and annotate with ideas that immediately come to you as you read.
1 folio page: Highlight & annotate the article about IKEA's circular design philosophy.
Read more about it in the article linked here.
Read more about the Factors that Influence Design here
1 folio page of sketch notes. Divide into 6 sections:
Definition
Economic
Environmental
Social
Cultural
Technological
1 folio page of sketch notes with the above heading.
Circular Design Principles
Design for Durability: Create products that last, reducing the need for replacements.
Materials Matter: Choose safe and circular materials to minimize environmental impact.
Resource Efficiency: Optimize resource use during production.
Design Thinking in the Circular Economy
Understand: Get to know users and the system.
Define: Articulate the design challenge and intentions.
Make: Ideate, prototype, and iterate.
Circular Strategies for Product Design
Prioritize High-Value Opportunities: Not every product maximizes value; focus on impactful solutions.
Design for Longevity: Create timeless products that withstand trends.
Read more about Circular Design & sustainable design considerations here.
1 folio page: Glue in & circle 3 design movements you're interested in from the timeline.
1 folio page: Read & highlight key information in the provided article.
Consider the impact of inclusive design.
Annotate to consider how you might design for broader inclusion - Scroll to the bottom of this page for a range of design accessibility considerations.
1 folio page: Select 8 of the provided design icons - each item you choose should be from a different decade.
Place on a timeline on your page.
Annotate to examine the factors that may have influenced those designs.
Ask: What materials is the object made from? Were these chosen because of economic, environmental, cultural, social, or technological factors?
1 folio page: Decide which object from the design brief you plan to redesign, with circular design principles & accessibility. Conduct the market research by sourcing a range of market options available at the moment.
Include 8+ objects that already exist in the market:
Cheap/low-cost items (especially if IKEA has your item). Big W, KMart, IKEA, Target etc.
Mid-range items - Myer, David Jones, Victoria's Basement, etc.
Designer Items - Rank Myer & DJs from highest price to lowest, search Alessi, Ototo kitchenwares, Tom Dixon, Harrods, Amara, Design Stuff
Fun Items - Ototo Design, Third Drawer Down, Moma Design Store, Peleg Design, Dusen Dusen, Moma Design Store, Kip & Co, White Moose.
Eco-Marketed Items: Teros, Sustainable Shop Melbourne, Biome
Search your objects name with the brand names above, or with descriptors such as 'sustainable peeler', or 'designer peeler'.
1 folio page: Looking at the icons of design history you have chosen, create 1 page of quick sketches (3-5 minutes each) observing the shapes, forms, lines, balance, proportion, scale, contrasts, and materials as inspiration.
Annotate:
- The designer & work of design you were inspired by.
- How you were inspired: Design E&P
- Potential materials
- Functions
- Circular design considerations
- Accessibility considerations (see at the bottom of this page)
* Star mark your preferred concept. Make sure your annotations reflect why this is your strongest concept. Share ideas with a peer & discuss accessibility & circular design considerations.
1 folio page: Apply the SCAMPER structure to your preferred design concept from your sketching ideas page. Follow the SCAMPER link above to view the Annotation slideshow & examples of SCAMPER questions you can ask yourself to iterate your design.
SCAMPER is an acronym for a series of activities that designers use to visualise divergent thinking. Big & small changes can be made in this process . Use SCAMPER early in the design process to play with variety and function, and later to make smaller changes to designs as they are being refined for delivery.
1 Folio page: Paraline Drawing
1 isometric drawing - crossy road character using isometric grid + objects with elipse
1 planometric drawing - crossy road character
Folio page: Third-angle orthogonal drawing
Glue in example
Draw example & third angle orthogonal symbol
Write key rules of third-angle orthogonal drawing
1 Folio page: Non-Paraline Drawing
1 point perspective drawing - bench
2 point perspective drawing - bench
Rendering texture, light & shadow
Folio page: Fashion Technical Flats
Glue in example
Draw example of technical flats
1 folio page: Document a range of material textures in your folio. Use grey lead pencil, fine liner, coloured pencil, and alcohol markers to develop your representation of material textures.
Rendering plays a crucial role in bringing designs to life. It involves adding depth, realism, and visual appeal to sketches.
Texture and Material Representation: When rendering, consider the material properties: Metallic surfaces reflect light sharply and cast distinct shadows. Matte surfaces have softer shadows and less reflection. Textured surfaces (like fabric or wood) require attention to grain and pattern.
Pay attention to highlight areas, mid-tones, and shadows to convey depth and material characteristics.
Remember that effective rendering goes beyond technique—it’s about understanding materials, lighting, and the interplay of elements. Whether you’re using traditional tools or digital software, practice and observation will enhance your rendering skills.
Media, methods and tools commonly used by designers for rendering:
Coloured Pencils: Coloured pencils add vibrancy and realism to sketches. Designers layer colours to create gradients, shadows, and highlights. They can blend colours using techniques like hatching, burnishing (applying pressure) or solvents (such as rubbing alcohol) for smoother transitions. Coloured pencils work well for rendering materials like fabric, wood, or plastic.
Alcohol Markers: Alcohol markers are popular for their vibrant colours and smooth blending. Designers use them to create gradients, shadows, and highlights. The alcohol-based ink dries quickly, allowing for layering and building up tones. Markers work effectively for rendering materials like metal, glass, or glossy surfaces.
Digital Tools: Digital rendering has become increasingly common. Designers use software like Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp, or Autodesk Fusion 360. Benefits include flexibility, easy corrections, and the ability to simulate realistic lighting. Digital tools allow for precise control over colour, texture, and lighting effects.
A low-fidelity prototype is a simple representation of an early-stage design concept. Designers use these prototypes to quickly test ideas, identify gaps, and uncover potential pitfalls. Unlike high-fidelity prototypes that closely resemble the final product, low-fidelity prototypes intentionally maintain a basic and rough appearance.
Rapid Idea Validation: Low-fi prototypes allow designers to swiftly explore and validate design concepts. By creating quick 3D iterations they can test different approaches without investing significant time or resources.
User Feedback: Users tend to feel more comfortable critiquing rough design representations than near-final designs. Low-fidelity prototypes encourage early feedback, helping designers make informed decisions.
Risk Reduction: Addressing user interface issues early in the design process minimizes risks during product development. By catching problems early, designers avoid costly revisions later on.
Agile Iteration: Low-fi prototypes facilitate agile workflows. Designers can make changes on the fly, iterate rapidly, and refine their ideas without committing to a polished design.
Collaboration: Low-fidelity prototypes are accessible to various team members, including strategists, developers, and project managers. Online tools make collaboration seamless, even for non-designers.
Low-fidelity prototypes are essential for driving ideation, innovation, and user-centered design. They empower designers to explore possibilities, refine concepts, and create stronger final products
Stainless Steel: Durable, compatible with all cooktops, but can be expensive.
Cast Iron: Versatile, retains heat well, but it’s heavy and reactive to acidic foods.
Copper: Heats quickly and evenly, beautiful, but expensive and requires polishing.
Aluminium: Good conductivity, lightweight, but reacts to acidic foods and can warp.
Hard-Anodized Aluminum: More expensive than regular aluminum, heavy.
Enameled Cast Iron: Minimizes sticking, retains heat well, non-reactive, but expensive and heats slowly.
Ceramic: Non-toxic, microwave-safe, but fragile and heats slowly.
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Lightweight and rigid, commonly used for food and beverage packaging (soda bottles, water bottles, etc.). Safe for food contact and recyclable.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Optimal strength-to-weight ratio, often used for milk containers.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Widely produced synthetic thermoplastic polymer.
Silicone: a versatile material commonly used for kitchenware handles and spatulas. Heat Resistance: Silicone can withstand high temperatures without melting or warping, making it ideal for cooking utensil. Hygienic and Durable: It combines the best qualities of metal, wood, and plastic while remaining easy to clean and long-lasting.
Jarrah: Known for its rich reddish-brown colour, Jarrah is a durable hardwood native to Western Australia. It’s commonly used for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. Its natural resistance to decay makes it ideal for homewares.
Merbau: Also called Kwila, Merbau is a tropical hardwood with a reddish-brown hue. It’s used for outdoor furniture, decking, and handles due to its strength and resistance to termites and decay.
Victorian Ash (Tasmanian Oak): A combination of three species (Mountain Ash, Alpine Ash, and Messmate), Victorian Ash is a popular choice for furniture and cabinetry. It has a pale colour and works well for kitchen utensils and handles.
Tasmanian Oak: Similar to Victorian Ash, Tasmanian Oak is a highly valued hardwood timber found in Tasmania, Victoria, and southeast New South Wales. It’s strong, stable, and resistant to damage, making it suitable for various homewares.
Monterey Pine: Although native to California, the Monterey Pine is widely planted in Australia for timber production. It’s the most widespread pine species in the country.
Bamboo: Not native to Australia, bamboo has been introduced. It's a fast growing material, primarily grown for bamboo shoots and timber.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality, contributing to a circular economy. Designers may choose to use recycled stainless steel rather than new stainless steel. This does come with a higher price.
Cast Iron: Cast iron cookware is highly durable and can be recycled.
Aluminium: Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be recycled repeatedly without losing its inherent value. Nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. Independent studies show that aluminium has 20% smaller life cycle energy consumption than steel in transportation.
Biodegradable Plastics: Look for bioplastics made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane. These can often be composted, or disposed of through specific programs.
Polylactic Acid (PLA): Derived from cornstarch or sugarcane.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Produced by bacteria using plant-based materials.
Silicone: Silicone is heat-resistant, non-toxic, and reusable. If designed in a manner where the item can be disassembled, silicone is able to be recycled. It's characteristics of being moldable, textured & a more flexible, make it useful as a material to create more accessible designs with.
Bamboo: Bamboo grows rapidly and is highly renewable. Bamboo is often used for cutting boards, utensils, and bowls as it is lightweight and durable.
Reclaimed Timber: Salvaged wood from old buildings or furniture reduces the demand for new timber. Reclaimed wood can be used for cutting boards, trays, and decorative items.
FSC-Certified Hardwoods: Choose timbers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). In Australia, there are a range of Australian native hardwoods that are FSC approved. These include Australian red cedar, jarrah, blackwood, huon pine, redgum. See here for examples of these timbers in use.
Definition: Sustainable design encompasses a broad concept that focuses on minimising social, environmental, and economic impacts throughout a product’s life cycle.
Approach: It aims to reduce these impacts by making environmentally beneficial choices. For instance, considering recycling, upcycling, and other circular design aspects.
Scope: Sustainable design considers the holistic impact of a product, including its social, environmental, and economic dimensions1.
Example: Designing a product with materials that have a lower environmental footprint and ensuring it can be used and disposed of responsibly.
Circular Design:
Definition: Circular design specifically targets the purposeful creation of material and biological cycles for products or services.
Focus: It emphasizes continuous reuse, repair, and recycling to minimize waste generation.
Scope: Circular design looks at the entire life cycle of a product, aiming to create closed loops where materials circulate rather than being discarded2.
Example: Designing a smartphone with modular components that can be easily replaced or upgraded, extending its lifespan and reducing electronic waste.
1 Folio page
Read the materials information above, and select 2 of the materials case studies from the print outs to add to your folio page.
Annotate to explain why you selected these case studies, what is interesting or innovative about the materials? How does it link to sustainable & circular design ideas?
List the potential materials you might use for your design.
Print & Apply this circular design decision tree document to analyse your main material choice for your design.
1 folio page: Choose between an isometric or 2-point perspective view drawing method to draw your design using 3D drawing conventions. Render for light, shadow, texture, and contours.
Use Adobe Illustrator to create a refined 3D view of your object.
Extend: Use media of choice - coloured pencils, alcohol markers, or digital media using Procreate.
Introduction to Illustrator 3D tools
Tutorial: Use Adobe Illustrator 3D & Materials tools to create a digital rendering.
2 folio pages: Use your folio to draft the views of your object from the top, front, and side.
Use Adobe Illustrator to create a third-angle orthogonal presentation drawing. Use the 'Drawing Systems' page on 3AO & Tech Drawing Specifications to guide you.
Follow these tutorials to set up your file & begin to add your drawings.
Tutorial 1: Set up the page & create the main drawing. Tutorial 2: Show hidden views.
Tutorial 2: Add front, side, and top views. Add dimensioning lines.
Accessible design is a critical aspect of creating products that can be used by as many people as possible, regardless of their disabilities or impairments. By incorporating accessibility features, designers can enhance usability and inclusivity. Let’s explore some ways students can consider accessibility when designing everyday utensils:
High Contrast: Ensure clear colour contrast between objects and their surroundings. This helps people with low vision or colour blindness identify the utensils easily.
Tactile Markings: Add tactile indicators (raised dots or lines) to differentiate utensils. For example, a raised dot on the handle could indicate the spoon, while a line could represent a fork.
Braille Labels: Consider adding Braille labels to utensil handles for easy identification.
Motor Impairments:
Ergonomic Handles: Design utensils with ergonomic handles that are easy to grip. Rounded or contoured shapes can improve stability.
Weight and Balance: Ensure utensils are lightweight yet balanced. Heavy utensils can be challenging for people with limited strength or dexterity.
Adaptive Grips: Explore adaptive grips or attachments that can be added to standard utensils. These can accommodate various hand sizes and abilities.
Simplified Designs: Keep utensil designs simple and intuitive. Avoid complex mechanisms or multifunctional features.
Common Disabilities and Impact on Utensil Use:
Arthritis: People with arthritis may struggle with gripping small or slippery utensils. Ergonomic handles and lightweight materials can help.
Parkinson’s Disease: Tremors can affect utensil control. Weighted utensils or adaptive grips can assist.
Stroke Survivors: Weakness or paralysis in one hand may require utensils that can be used single-handedly.
Visual Impairment: High contrast, tactile markings, and Braille labels are useful.
Dexterity Issues: Utensils should be easy to manipulate, with minimal effort required.
UK Government - Designing for Accessibility Guidelines
See-Eat-Through tableware Aurore Brard, a Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, has created tableware that features colour accents. The colour accents help visually impaired people to dish up the correct amounts of food and drink.
TypeCase by Dougie Mann The five buttons of Dougie Mann's simplified keyboard can be operated with a single hand and without looking, to enable people with motor or visual impairments to type on a smartphone.
However, it is also designed for use by the wider public and could keep us from being constantly glued to our screens or help us to take notes more efficiently.
Font by Hop Design: Aimed at making everyone feel included around the dinner table, this minimalist cutlery collection by Australian studio Hop Design can be tailored to people with different disabilities.
It is currently available in 24 distinct sets, all with different handle angles and thicknesses developed specifically to suit varying levels of hand strength, dexterity and control.