Overconsumption seems to me to be a huge issue in today’s society. Shopping has become an activity more for pleasure rather than for necessity. Stores such as Forever 21 make clothing so cheap that it is hard for a consumer to pass up as well as offers such as “2 for $20” make the consumer purchase two of an item rather than just one because they feel they are getting a deal. Design Activism: Beautiful Strangeness for a Sustainable World believes that the flow of consumption is responsible for many of the global issues.
My concept targets purses. I believe that purses have become a necessity for a woman. They also are being designed to be so trendy that styles come and go seasonally. I have several friends who will buy a new purse, reasonably priced every month or so because they get tired of carrying the same accessory daily. I would like to open a shop where consumers will bring in handbags that they are through using and the store will break down the materials and create a new handbag. Scraps from handbags will be salvaged and more than one purse can be combined to create a new one.
Hannah-
ReplyDeleteReusing handbags is a great basis for a design concept. Have you considered also giving consumers the option to buy the used handbag as is? Would retailers be in charge of collecting the previously used handbags from their customers? Or would there be a general collection agency where customers would bring their used items? Great job!
Bree-
DeleteI think that is a really good idea giving the consumers the option to buy the used handbag and I will definitely have to consider implicating that into the business. I was aiming towards a general collection agency that would eventually expand across the US, maybe starting at one per state and customers out of the area could send their items in for evaluation.
I think your idea of a general collection agency would make collecting the handbags a much easier process. If you decided to establish collection agencies in each state then you could employ local manufacturers to produce the new designs.
DeleteHannah-
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Handbags are definitely something the people blow through pretty fast. In the book Design Activism they discuss how when people put their own personal touch on something they value it more and keep it longer. Have you thought about allowing consumers to use their own ideas to design a new purse from the materials of the old purse? The purse will have more of a personal meaning by allowing consumers to get involved and design it how they want. Good job!
Emily-
DeleteI definitely would like the consumers to add in their own ideas of the construction of their new purse so that they are more attached to the item.
This is a great concept, Hannah! Like Fuad-Luke said this week in the reading, sustainability has a lot to do with consuming less in our society. I like that you chose to work with purses. You’ve done a nice job by incorporating an item that every woman uses on a daily basis. Would consumers be able to help design the new purses? Also, would customers be able to bring in other bags such as suitcases, dog bags, etc? Good job this week!
ReplyDeleteAmanda-
DeleteI definitely would like the consumers to add in their own ideas of the construction of their new purse so that they are more attached to the item. I hadn't considered the idea of including suitcases, dog bags, etc but that is definitely a good idea- thank you!
Great job on your blog this week! Women will always buy purses; even if the purse is not new, it is new to the woman. I think you could definetly incorporate both breaking down the old and making new and also just reselling the decent condition purses.
ReplyDelete