Product Design Accelerator Equips Artists and Makers to Create With Recycled Plastic
Exploring the Value of Recycled Plastic
In 2023, Future Makers delivered an eight-week Product Design Accelerator with Rory Dickens of Sustainable Design Studio, supporting local artists, designers and makers to explore recycled plastic through design and making.
Funded by Innovate UK and delivered in partnership with Near Now, the programme began by challenging participants’ perceptions of plastic and exploring its potential as a material.
“It’s difficult to think of making things out of plastic. I try to avoid plastic because we all know it’s a problem.”
“Plastic is a good material to use, if we can keep it in the loop.”
As the programme progressed, participants explored different types of plastic, their properties and how they could be processed and developed into new applications.
Learning from Real World Projects
Participants explored real-world case studies to understand how recycled materials can be developed into functional products through thoughtful design.
The session examined the challenges and opportunities of working with recycled plastic, including the need for continued research, innovation and development to support wider use of the material.
Hands-on Plastics and Machinery Training
At the Future Makers studio, participants received practical training in working with recycled plastic, including health and safety and hands-on experience using specialist equipment.
They explored how different plastics behave during processing, including their characteristics and melting points, while developing confidence working directly with the material.
“It’s like reigniting that connection with your craft, feeling the materials and having a sense of autonomy.”
“Plastic is a stubborn material to work with. It is important to learn the characteristics and melting points of plastic as part of mastering the craft.”
Developing Viable Product Ideas
Participants explored how creative ideas could become viable products, looking at business models, production costs, moulding requirements and potential retail pricing.
The session helped them consider the practical and commercial challenges involved in taking a recycled plastic product from concept to market.
Exploring Digital Mould Design
Participants were introduced to Fusion 360, using a coaster design to demonstrate how digital models can be developed into moulds for recycled plastic products.
The session explored key considerations in mould design and highlighted the value of combining creative ideas with technical expertise to turn designs into workable products.
Testing and Refining Product Ideas
Participants pitched their developing product concepts and received feedback from peers and mentors, helping them refine their ideas and consider how they could work as products.
“This was a really good supportive group and the feedback really helped to focus my mind.”
The session reinforced the value of prototyping, collaboration and early feedback when developing new products from recycled plastic.
From Ideas to Prototypes
The Accelerator concluded with a public keynote and final pitch session at Broadway, where participants presented their product concepts and received feedback from potential users and stakeholders.
Three participants progressed to the prototype stage, turning their ideas into tangible models and refining their designs through external feedback.
The programme also created a route towards production, with Future Makers commissioned to develop a limited product line and support the next stage of mould development.
Continue Developing Your Ideas
The Product Design Accelerator showed how recycled plastic can be explored through material development, design, prototyping and making.
Future Makers continues to support artists, designers and makers developing new products and applications from recycled plastic.