Designing the Afterlife
Juni Neyenhuys
BA Graduation Projekt
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Zane Berzina
The idea of biobased and biodegradable packaging materials as an alternative to petroleum-based, non-degradable ones is nothing new. One major reason they have not been used for a long time is the lack of a disposal infrastructure. There is also the question of how these materials can be recycled—the afterlife. That moment when something is disposed of and which designers or product developers have had little or no involvement in.
The project “Designing the Afterlife” deals theoretically and practically with the development of disposal scenarios for algae-based, biodegradable packaging materials (developed with mujō) with the aim to close the biological material cycle and use the currently existing disposal infrastructure.
The result is the “Water to Water” product series: packaging for solid and oil-based cosmetics that dissolves in water (the first time the product is used) and is disposed of in the sewage system, as it breaks down completely by microorganisms in the sewage treatment plant.
The work focuses on the communication of the product to the consumer. The packaging communicates how to dispose of it properly, with disposal designed to be simple and straightforward. Part of the communication strategy is a QR code printed on the packaging, which leads to a video that explains the afterlife of the packaging clearly and playfully. Besides, further information is provided in the context of the theme.
It is an exemplary case of how the afterlife can be designed for fully circular products. It is also a plea to equally co-design the afterlife in product development.
Animation Video: https://mujolab.com/wordpress/afterlife/
Image Movie: https://mujolab.com/wordpress/portfolio/video/