Prompt 1:

1. Ask a Question

The object I would like to repair is a green jacket gifted by my best friend as a birthday present for my 18th birthday. The jacket was stained with acrylic last year when I was working on a painting for Drawing and Imaging class. Since then I could no longer remove nor wear the jacket. For this project, I would like to take the remaining part of the fabric and repurpose the jacket into something I can use. I find repairing to be an important skill as a designer because with repairing not only are designers able to recover objects that may have impactful values but are also a practice that is very sustainable and environmentally friendly. In a way, the skill of repairing saves both time and money.

2. Do Research

Some ways I can repair this jacket include repurposing it into a backpack, another piece of garment, a wallet, or a lamp using the jacket as the lamp cover, although I am most persuaded by the idea of making repurposing the object into a backpack. For me to repurpose the jacket into a backpack, I need thread, needle, straps, zippers, more fabric, and possibly a sewing machine. Although I do not have most of the materials, they are easily obtainable.

3. Construct a Hypothesis

My repair process will begin with a research of how backpacks are made and look for examples of other backpacks online. After the initial research, I will then male a blueprint of how I want the finished product to look like and consider what components I want for my backpack. Some elements may include the size, the design of inner layers, the weight of which I want my backpack to be able to bare, and the overall appearance. The second step of my process would be obtaining the materials. At this stage, my design may still change according to the materials I obtain or if I have new discoveries. The third step would be prototyping, which means using other fabrics to test make a backpack to make sure both the blueprint and execution are successful. The fourth and final step would be making the actual product. Overall, the repair should be completed within 4-5 working days. Depending on whether the backpack is successful or not, I might add or alter details I would like to change to make it more refined for I actually plan to use this backpack on a daily basis.

Prompt 2:

1. What is most inspiring to you about this program?

There are two aspects of this project that inspired me. First, the company values sustainability over profit. Usually, a company that only cares about profit would make their products have a shorter usage duration or add a component that needs to be constantly upgraded. We see this a lot in the fast fashion industry and technological companies. This campaign by Patagonia proves how the company is willing to sacrifice partial sells of their newly designed merchandise in return for a more sustainable cause. Secondly, the degree to which the company values the humanity aspect amazes me. In addition to the worn wear strategy, they’ve also incorporated the story aspect of these used products as a part of their program. By having this aspect of the program, the company allows its consumers to think about the nonmaterialistic value of these products. 

2. Do you know of others like it?

Another company that practices recycling as a part of their campaign that I know of is Levi’s. As a clothing company, Levi’s not only recycles clothing from all other clothing brands but is also willing to give costumers up to 20% discount on the next purchase in their stores. 

3. Would you be more likely to buy their clothes after learning about this service? 

As important as sustainability can be, my willingness to consume certain products still depends on the overall value the product can bring me. If a product is altogether well designed, practical, aesthetically pleasing, affordable, and sustainable, then it will definitely sparky interest. 

Prompt 3:

1. What do you think of the ten Long Life design criteria overall? 

My overall review of the Long Life design criteria is very positive. As of now, I do not think many corporations or companies for that matter are practicing the missions stated on the Long Life design criteria despite the drastic environmental and social changes as a result of the Anthropocene. Having criterion such as the 10 Long Life design missions make me feel like the progress of sustainability had begun and it is not just a problem the last generation is planning to leave to us to deal with. Despite the effort, I still think the criteria can incorporate other social and economic factors such as employment, equality, labor treatment as a part of the list.

2. Which criteria, in particular, might assist designers in meeting the challenges created by climate change (explain how)?

The criterion Repair, Planned Production, User, and Environment, in particular, might assist designers in meeting the challenges created by climate change. Repair for example, allows the saving and repurposing of materials, which helps avoid unnecessary over-sourcing. Planned Production helps avoid the production of excess goods, which serves little to no purpose if nobody wants to buy. The User criteria allow sustainable companies to work together and single out those of which are unethical and inconsiderate. Finally, the Environment criteria make sure that from sourcing, producing, usage, to disposal, each stage remains sustainable and cause no harm to the environment. 

3. What criteria would you add or how would you update the current list to account for specific design challenges presented by the Anthropocene?

The first criteria I would add is innovative sourcing. Nowadays, I think having the sensitivity and ability in adapting to a different type of materials into products efficiently and effectively is very important. If the supply of leather is running low for example companies may replace the material with kombucha leather and etcetera. Another criteria I would add is socioeconomic value. Altogether, I think the company must take a positive stance on the overall impact to the society. Some examples include labor treatment, work environment, and a fair wage.

Prompt 4:

1. Which of the Long Life Design criteria does kintsugi fulfill?

The kintsugi practice fulfills all criterion except for Environment, which states that the product must be made with consideration of the environment in any age. After last week’s kintsugi demonstration, I learned that the trees used to make kintsugi glues get thrown away after extraction. Personally, I would be happier to see that the kintsugi practitioners can utilize these trees in some other way.

2. Are you interested in this kind of repair? In what ways?

As a person who is in constant search of innovative designs, I am less drawn to the cultural context and sentimental values of designs. The one way a practice such as the kintsugi can spark my interest is if it can be incorporated with something else to formulate something never seen before.

3. Do you think you have the patience to enjoy a process of slow repair?

As a person who is interested in completing individual tasks with efficiency, I doubt a process of slow repair will not be able to uphold my attention long enough for me to complete the process with care.

4. Do you think a long and careful process of repair can make an object more meaningful?

I appreciate and see a lot of examples of how objects can become more meaningful this way. The answer to this question is yes, and I think some objects or artwork even developed values solely based on the time they have existed and based on how well they reflect a certain time from the past. However, I think “meaningful” is a very subjective concept and can change depending on context. What I find to be meaningful may not be meaningful to someone else.

5. Does this kind of repair seems like its own art form, rather than just repair?

As I mentioned above, yes I completely agree. Nonetheless, whether the object becomes an “art form” or not entirely depends on how the repair is executed, valued culturally, as well as whether the repair has a deeper meaning or message for something beyond just repairing.

6. Does it feel inventive and creative (in what ways?)

The practice of kintsugi does appear to be inventive and creative because it is almost impossible for two bowls to crack the same way. Therefore, the practitioners can never do the same repair method twice. In a way, I think kintsugi artists have to deal with surprising and ever-changing challenges on a daily basis, which makes the artists very innovative and respectable.

7. Do you think repaired kintsugi designs can become more interesting than the original?

The concept of kintsugi I am introduced to so far is strictly Japanese and Strictly for bowls or ceramics. I think if possible, kintsugi practitioners can consider a more multinational and “new” approach to give birth to something even better.

Prompt 5:

1. Write a response describing which question surprised you the most.

The question “Is there anything I can do about climate change?” surprised me the most. As an international student from Taiwan, I have to fly over 20 hours from my home country to the United States. Each year for studying alone, I have to take the plane at least four times in order to return home for summer and winter breaks, which does not include the trips I take to other countries for leisure. The realization on how flying can impact the environment really changes my perception of how much I am contributing to climate change, and how my actions are also tied to the environmental disasters are taking place all around the world, especially since recently my home country also underwent a horrible earthquake as a result of climate change.

2. What other, new information did you learn?

In addition to how taking the plane can result in environmental impacts, I also learned that the rate of which humans are contributing to global warming is equivalent to tossing 400,000 atomic bombs a day. Furthermore, I also learned that global warming is actually beneficial for certain countries such as Russia and Canada. Lastly, I learned the concept of carbon taxes and hope that government institutions all around the world will implement the practice or other form of punishments regarding environmental damages as soon as possible.

3. How aware do you think your friends and family are of this information?

To be perfectly honest, I think everyone has heard of the devastating effects of climate change and understand the impacts of our actions. However, because most horrific consequences are not eminent, little to no people are interested in changing their ways for the cause of environmental protection. This is a horrible truth, but also a very realistic one. I think NGOs, scientists, and governments should change their approach in discussing the issue in order to stimulate willingness in people to participate. An early introduction and participation in environmental protection in education for example is a great way to alter people’s perception. Overall, however, I find the lack of better alternatives (air conditioner, cars, planes…etc) to be the highest contributor of all factors.