Estimated time: 40-60 minutes

What is a Precedent?

A precedent is a project done in the real world that can be used to help explain some of the ideas that will be covered in the studio or project. 

Precedents generally fall into a number of categories - conceptual, aspirational, and comparable. 

1. Conceptual precedents explore ideas related to the studio through critical analysis of a wide range of largely art-based projects.
2. Aspirational precedents look at the cutting-edge or futurist implementation of technology as related to the studio topic. 
3. Comparable precedents look at new or current projects, often in the marketplace, that relate to the theme of the studio at a design and technological level.

Introduction

With plastic products and packaging all around us, it's easy to feel there's no alternative. In this first section of the Challenge, we'll look at an exciting area of sustainable design innovation: bioplastics. These plastic alternatives can be made from renewable resources such as vegetable fats and oils, kombucha, corn starch, straw, woodchips, coconut shells, sawdust, and recycled food waste. When processes are applied to these materials, they can offer alternatives to plastic packaging while reducing the negative impact on the environment.  

This first step of our Challenge gives you some examples or precedents of how creative people and organizations are developing plastic alternatives. Doing precedent research is your first step in designing a new packaging solution.

PART A: Precedent Review 

To find and explore a series of interesting bioplastic and plastic-alternative precedents, click on the "Novel Alternatives to Plastics" tab at the top of this page. 

PART B: Activity (to be included in your final submission):  

Pick one of the precedents to further explore using the link included in the post. Write 2-3 sentences in the Responses tab (above) about why you found that particular precedent interesting. What potential do you see for this precedent to reduce plastic waste in the future, if any?