Introduction
The final module of first year, Introduction to Social Digital, was centred around the theme of Nature Connectedness and how we as people think about and interact with the environment.
To kick off the project, we were tasked with researching different companies and initiatives which deal with the environment and focus on the link between people and nature. Our findings then had to be collated into a short presentation, including slide cards, which could be presented to fellow course mates.
Research
Beginning my research I started to look into various organisations which I had previously heard of and wanted to explore deeper.
Granby Workshop
The first was Granby Workshop, a community development centred around an old housing estate in Granby, Liverpool. Their aim was to transform some of the derelict houses into fully furnished homes, making everything by hand and incorporating some of the brick and debris from the crumbling buildings. They also incorporated plants into the surroundings by creating potted gardens, adding much needed greenery to the monochrome red brick.
By reusing found material in much of their work and making everything on site, they promoted a much more eco-friendly approach to construction and furniture making that involves using what’s to hand where possible. This message was broadcast to many through their Instagram and web presence, posting new projects and developments regularly.
Package Free/Trash is for Tossers
Package Free is an online store and blog based around the idea of eliminating all non-recyclable waste from daily life. Created by Lauren Singer, who goes by social media handle ‘trashisfortossers’, the website sells a wide variety of reusable products which offer themselves as sustainable alternatives to many single use and disposable products such as straws, food wraps and cosmetics. The site also features a blog section, full of guides on how to eradicate single use products from your life and how to maintain a waste free lifestyle.
High Line
The High Line in New York is a public park/green space situated on old train lines running above the streets, stretching several blocks. It introduced trees, grasses and a large variety of other plants to a very urban, concreted city without intruding on the existing roads and pathways. It allows pedestrians to safely travel from one part of the city to another, away from the heavy fumes of vehicles with views across the water.
By introducing this public space, people can appreciate an element of nature that is absent from much of the city while walking to and from work or home.
Design
To express this information in a presentable form, I created a PowerPoint with a slide for each initiative. I wanted a simple, clean layout and therefore decided on a plain white background featuring images of each topic consistently contained within the same area across all slides. Finally, each slide was captioned with a plain sans serif font so as to not detract from the images.
Outcome
The final slides were presented alongside my research to a small group of peers in a quick, rapid fire presentation session. I also had the chance to hear the research of others and expand my knowledge of environmental initiatives. This information helped to form ideas and focus my research for the projects to come.