The Breakdown
Role: Graphic and Product Designer | Exhibition: NYCxDesign Week “Renew Me” by Grouphug Tech
Designers: Renee Collins, Ben Ruoff | Photographers: Renee Collins, Sadie Price-Elliott
the challenge
Each year during NYCxDesign Week Grouphug Tech hosts an open-call exhbition that challenges designers to design for social good, “instead of luxury chairs.”
“Renew Me” show Brief
Imagine society 100 years from now, when natural resources have been depleted and there is a boom of sustainable inventions. We challenge designers to choose a topic that they’re passionate about & address the issue.
the outcome
Ben and I created The Breakdown, a product about plantable play. The Breakdown is a plantable children’s puzzle that teaches kids about biodegradability and encourages them to have a positive environmental impact.
The Breakdown received much positive feedback from attendees, and the show itself received press by Core77 and The New York Times.
Design Development
We wanted to design a product that would encourage kids to have a positive environmental impact, which led to how biodegradability can be fun. — Plantable toys that encourages positive environmental impact.
How It Breaks Downs
The puzzle is made from seed-embedded paper and compostable cardboard. Once buried in the ground, it will naturally biodegrade and grow into the flowers depicted on the puzzle via the seeds.
Puzzle Graphics
The puzzle graphics were inspired by almanac illustrations.
The flower depicted on the puzzle foreshadows what the puzzle will grow into when planted.
Final Design
The final design became The Breakdown, a product about plantable play.
It was exhibited at NYCxDesign Week at the sustainability show “Renew Me”, hosted by Grouphug Tech. The Breakdown received much positive feedback from attendees, and the show itself received press by Core77 and The New York Times.
