Research Centre
Art and Design Research Centre

Date
06/2014

Based on 7 years of research and development the ‘Green to Gold’ project brings together work that spans material development, process development, product design, fashion design, jewellery and metal work along with designers, makers, retailers and consumers

The product and fashion industries are arguably built upon the need to continually change styles and promote the discarding of ‘older model’. In order to be able to promote more socially responsible consumption patterns amongst buyers there is the need for a wider palette of environmentally sustainable materials and processes to be made available to product, fashion and accessory designers. ‘Green to Gold’ explores the exploitation of a biodegradable composite material through the designing and making of products and accessories. The research project investigates how dyed and printed surface patterns may be achieved, tailoring techniques applied and low-cost production methods utilised.

Exemplar products include ‘BioScreen’, a range of modular biobased interior screen proposals, along with ‘BioJewellery’ products that explore the use of biodegradable materials as replacements for the ubiquitous material used by jewellery practitioners.

The associated project ‘BioFurniture’ has been exhibited within London Design Festival, at in Paris and Birmingham. ‘BioJewellery’ has been exhibited in Paris.