WEEK THREE: Upcycle a milk bottle

Need/Opportunity

One of the most common items in a recycling bin is plastic milk bottles. The bottles and lids are made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) which is widely recycled in NZ.

But what if there was a creative way we could be reusing these resources at home?

As designers we need to think about our impact on the environment when we create something new. Thinking about how we can reuse items gives us an opportunity to take an existing material and use it in a new way - this is called upcycling

Design Brief:

Upcycle a milk bottle to create something new that could be gifted to someone

Specifications:

It can only be made from recycled materials with most of the product constructed/made from milk bottles
It must be fit for purpose and safe to use
It must be completed by Tuesday 12th May

The aesthetics (looks) and function (how it works) of the product must be suitable for the person you are gifting it to. Think about what THEY like and what THEY would want to use

For this weeks competition you will need to submit a photo of your finished outcome using the link at the top of the site

Where to start?

Select an end user

Who will you give your amazing creation to? Write of list of things that they like and think about things that they might need.

An example : a younger sibling - maybe they like helicopters, dinosaurs and ballet AND they need something to keep them entertained or something to help them organise their desk

Start with the PROBLEM your product could solve for your user

Brainstorm possible ways to SOLVE the problem with a product

This will give you a starting point to help you research ideas. If you have a clear idea of a product you would like to make then start researching exisiting products to inspire your design.

If you haven't got a product in mind then research ideas that other people have made out of milk bottles. Remember, you are bing inspired...not copying. Take an idea and put your own spin on it so that it meets the need of your end user (the person you will gift this to)

Games

Storage

Bird Feeders

Toys

Draw your design

This week I would like you to use pencil and paper to draw your design. This will help you to practise getting ideas from your head down onto paper and then start to think about how to make the things you have designed

Come up with THREE different ideas of things you could make your end user. Once you have come up with your ideas - select your favourite

Gather Your Materials

One of the constraints to your design will be the materials and resources you have available at home. This creates a great challenge to think about how you can reuse what you already have to invent something new

Now its time to make!

I'm here to help. If you get stuck or need help to problem solve please contact me. I can't wait to see what you come up with this week!

To submit your invention for this weeks challenge here

Deadline for this challenge is: Tuesday 12th May 6pm

There are HEAPS of ideas online and loads of Youtube Tutorials that can show you step by step how to make a range of things

If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to make it then contact me and I can help

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