Valpak are working in partnership with The Royal College of Art sponsoring two design awards for Post Graduate Art and Design students. The awards are for projects that encourage the innovative design of eco-efficient products and services, and their communication to industry and the public.
The students are working on projects entitled "Spread the Word" – Changing Consumer Behaviour in the Field of Sustainability and "Shrinking Footprints" – Addressing the impact of insatiable demand through eco-design. The projects work toward either reducing waste by using intelligent design to reduce excess materials used or inspire consumer behavioural change by creative communication. Many exciting and innovative projects were submitted for consideration and these have been narrowed down to six final projects, under each category, for further development.
The students are being supported by two influential industry bodies, INCPEN and Green Alliance.
Jane Bickerstaffe, INCPEN, commented: "INCPEN are excited to support the Valpak RCA project. I am impressed by the range of projects that the students are developing. These projects highlight the students' awareness of how changes to one part of a system can affect other parts. The students have obviously considered holistic approaches when designing improvements."
Hannah Hislop, Green Alliance, commented: "Green Alliance are delighted to be involved with the Valpak RCA design awards. Design can determine up to 80 per cent of a product's environmental impacts across its lifecycle. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for designers. We look to the Valpak RCA entries to demonstrate that 'green' design does not have to be niche."
The students are presenting their final designs to the panel at the end of April, with one winner and one runner up to be chosen for each of the categories. Valpak are looking forward to seeing the finished projects as the culmination of the students' hard work.
Source: Valpak
