Assignment five young designers

Another view on plastic

Rehinking Plastic stands for a 'different view on plastic'. Because yes, we now realize the urgency of plastic as an environmental problem, but at the same time it is a very useful material and a world without plastic is hard to imagine. So we have to think differently about plastic as a material and deal with it differently. Designers play a crucial role in this. They devise and develop alternatives and can design in such a way that products last longer and the materials are easier to separate and therefore easier to recycle. And when reused or recycled, they can turn it into useful and beautiful new products. With extra (emotional) value, so that users deal with plastic differently. We call that upcycling. Rethinking Plastic consists of a main exhibition that is constantly being renewed, with changing side exhibitions and presentations. Students from various design courses have also been working on the theme of plastic and various exhibitions and presentations have been created around this theme in the Netherlands and abroad.

Rethinking Plastic challenge

Young designers are increasingly interested in sustainability and circularity. But many of them struggle to further develop and market their innovative ideas, concepts and products. It is especially difficult to find entrances to companies. In addition, they are looking for expertise and up-to-date knowledge about sustainable and circular innovation. Leonne Cuppen (Yksi Connect) has selected five young designers from the Yksi Expo Young Talent Team to deepen their work, based on the research they started during their studies. They received coaching and were brought into contact with relevant manufacturers, knowledge institutions and experts. The Stokroos Foundation has provided a subsidy for this project.