Background, motivation, and goals
I recognized the growing concern for environmental sustainability in various industries, including the art supply industry. There is a lack of eco-friendly options in traditional art supplies like paint brushes, which are normally packed in plastic.
As an artist and environmental enthusiast, I sought to combine my passions for creativity and sustainability in a single project. My goal was to create a practical solution that made the packaging both sustainable and purposeful.
Findings and products
Successfully created a range of paintbrush bookmark designs from cities around the world that effectively demonstrate the concept's creative potential.
Received positive feedback from friends who appreciated the project's sustainability focus and user-friendly design.
Hand colored the bookmarks with watercolor pencils to demonstrate a low fidelity version of how the ink would work.
Process and methods
Conducted research into eco-friendly materials suitable for packaging and art supplies, focusing on recyclable and renewable options.
Ideally, the packaging would be made of recycled paper and the brush would be natural fiber hairs with a sustainably sourced wooden or bamboo handle.
Developed multiple prototypes, testing where the bookmark could sit and where the folds would occur.
Experimented with various design elements such as the size of the bookmark, the holding mechanism of the brush, and the layout of the elements.
Refined the packaging design iteratively based on feedback.
Implemented detailed instructions and user-friendly signifiers to ensure clarity for artists of all skill levels.
Conclusion and next steps
Reflecting on the project's achievements, I feel like it is effective in promoting sustainability and fostering creativity within the art community.
I acknowledge that there is an ongoing need for continuous improvement and innovation in the design, especially in material exploration.
For the future, this product could focus on branching out to accommodate other art supplies as well. To be even more sustainable, the brushes could come with replaceable brush heads that all share the same reusable bamboo handle.
