In collaboration with Mohawk Group, the second year interior design studio was challenged with developing a trend forecast positioned around emerging design opportunity as well as a personal passion. The trend forecast was then translated into a sustainably focused carpet tile design. In my design, fiberglass from discarded electronics would be recycled into carpet backing.
Rediscover: The COLLECTION
This collection is designed with playful and creative environments in mind, such as commercial office spaces and education environments. With two tile varieties in colorways of both light and dark, the tiles are multifunctional and able to be applied to virtually any environment. The leading lines create a wayfinding device for office systems and the vibrant linework allows the mind to wander when used in areas of rest.
SUSTAINABILITY
MOHAWK X URT SOLUTIONS
As social media is one of the primary modes of information delivery today, the initiative will focus on recycling these electronics for raw fiberglass to be used in carpet backings.
Fiberglass makes up the bulk of circuit boards in electronics and has been a relatively untouched market for materials. Researchers have recently found a technique to separate fiberglass resin in order to recycle them. Once separated, the fiberglass can be used as a raw material in carpet backing.
Universal Recycling Technologies (URT Solutions) collects old electronics and separates them for parts by putting them through a hydraulic shredder to compile materials. With a partnership from Mohawk, URT can begin an initiative to recycle fiberglass from electronics for use in a carpet backing system such as the EcoFlex line and more with a fiberglass scrim.
TREND FORECAST:
FACT OR FICTION: Digging Deeper in a World of MisInformation
Today’s society is made up of endless searches for truth. With the explosion of social media, mass media, and unreliable news sources, there has begun a collective hunt for transparency. People are no longer so willing to believe the first thing they read on the internet or hear from their evening news. Digging deep into claims has become the new trend for younger generations. Growing tired of false claims, “alternative facts”, and political gaslighting, Gen Z advocates for a future of honesty. By holding brands accountable for their ethical decisions and participating in protests to advocate their voice, this generation is the most connected one yet, all aiming towards the same goal of universal truth and exposing hidden perspectives.
trend translation
From this trend research emerges the overarching topic of rediscovery and a search for truth. Society is rediscovering what values they hold dear to them, like social responsibility and brand accountability, focusing on digging into misleading information. This design is based around aspects such as eye-opening discoveries and the blurred lines between truth and lies. It is time to rediscover, realize, and reshape society into a world of transparency and advocacy.