OUGD504 - Studio Brief 2 - Initial Ideas

Initial ideas 

Focus on cyclical aspect of upcycling and its benefit to the environment 

This concept would revolve around the cyclical approach of upcycling, whilst also suggesting the benefits to the environment. Upcycling uses waste materials to create something of a higher quality, therefore keeping it out of landfill and putting it back into circulation. To reflect this idea it was considered that having curved and circular aspects to the design e.g. circular imagery, rounded text boxes etc. Through text this would be portrayed through rounded text with open circular counters which was also seen in many of the books on the subject. To reflect the environmental element it was considered that green, blue and white could be used, which are often associated with the theme and would allow the purpose of the website to be easily understood by the audience.  

Offcut and Scrap ideas 

Within both of these ideas there would be an overarching concept of reflecting what a scrap or offcut is and how that can be visually shown, however this will be explored in different ways between the two ideas.

Focus on the textures of the raw materials

This idea would focus on the physicality of the raw materials available on the site. The use of textured backgrounds made from the materials themselves would reflect the different categories within the site. To represent scraps or offcuts within the shapes in the design it was considered that these would have to be more textured to fit with the concept so creating a more ragged edge through ripping or tearing the shape would allow for a more physical quality. With the focus on the material quality it was considered that images could be cropped to show almost 'macro' detail of the materials allowing them to be the focus of the design, whilst also abstracting them to reflect and emphasis the uniqueness of the individual materials.  

Focus on the industrial source of scrap and offcut materials

This concept takes influence from the idea that scrap and offcut materials used in upcycling are byproducts from the manufacture of something else. Upcycling creatively reuses these materials to create something new. With industry being the source of these materials it was considered that this could be reflected within the design. It was considered that influences from industrial interior design could be used as a way of visualising the essence of the source of these materials through colour and contrast. Within this type of interior design there is a juxtaposition between the raw and refined, modern and classic materials so using clean geometric forms to create refined 'scraps' would contrast against the texture of the materials, reflecting the contrast and minimalism found within industrial design, whilst also creating a minimalist and contemporary aesthetic suitable for the audience. Neutral colour schemes complement exposed materials and elements within these homes so this would be used within the design to create contrast between colour and material imagery.