2nd Place

R3: Products Reimagined

R3

Sustainable Organization

Project goal:

R3: Products Reimagined is a collaborative project between the students at the Academy of Art University and California Lithographers to promote ideas on sustainable design.

Each graphic designer was asked to identify an existing product and design a book to discuss its life cycle and redesign. Each student’s book went beyond just raising awareness about sustainable design–rather they applied a viable design solution to a product–thus creating a direct impact on people’s lives.

R3, as an organization, was created within this class to promote sustainable design by identifying new product opportunities. Each product redesign considers form & function as well as new technology and recyclability of materials. Each student project exemplifies their progressive thinking and social-consciousness.

Our target audience is 2-fold. 1) The design industry (industrial, product, graphic, engineer, fabrication, etc.) 2) The general consumer (anyone who purchases a mass produced retail product)

The strategy is to reach out to people that are on the opposite ends of a product life cycle. The creator and the consumer. These are the core touchpoints where change can really make a huge impact on the lifecycle of a product. We believe designers can be an integral part in changing patterns of behavior, from beginning to end.

Project result:

This project is unique because of its end goal and set parameters. We, at the Academy of Art University, have taken a classroom environment and transformed it into a think tank for great ideas. The promotion of sustainability is not just about how to achieve an end product, its also about a way of thinking. So, our efforts strive to achieve a great product and also influence a different way of thinking. Our process is not constrained by company mandates, focus group results, price points, or even existing technology. The goal for each student is to imagine a great solution and figure out how it can work. The ideas vary from semester to semester. This reinforces our model of constant adaptation to new ideas from different points-of-view. Some of the products range from a hairdryer, ink-cartridge, refrigerator, tire, light bulb, shower head to audio speakers.

Achievable + Scalable
Our concepts have been documented as printed samples and online as a form of resource and dialogue. The original books are over 100 pages and bound with materials relevant to the product. Beyond design, the content is so important to this assignment. The best compliment I received about this project was from the parent of a student who said, “I was able to read this book, and I actually learned something.” It’s a catalyst for changing people’s perception, in small and big ways. The measurement of success for us is simply change.

Collaborative + Original
Our graphic design students collaborate with industrial design students, writers, 3d modeling experts. They may conduct interviews with an industry expert. But the end goal is to create an atmosphere that’s bigger than a class room.