Final Year Project:
thesustainablehack
A project about how hacking can not only be the new driver for innovation but also provide affordable alternative solutions to the economically challenged Singaporeans. Hacking in this project is defined as innovative techniques to give a second life to a product. The target audience is the lower incomes residents living in one room flats. Because of the daily struggles faced by them whereby their incomes are only sufficient for a basic living so by implementing this method would be an extra bonus to get any decorative furniture to improve their living environment.
So instead of throwing items away, why not repurpose them? A method that would help global warming and also be able to improve their home environment.
Logo for thesustainablehack
Product Hack:
Through observations and interviews with the residents living in one room flats, it was observed that most of their houses were dimly lit even though it's afternoon. Most of them felt the need to own a fan but felt like it was a luxury to own one.
Therefore, I designed a 2-in-1 multi-coloured light and a fan. The light would be able to enhance their living environment whereas the fan would help cool them.
Inspired by the lamp hacks, the light would emit brighter lights. They are also able to customize their own different lighting. An orange ink would help warm the house better to provide a better living environment. The LED light are energy savers and would help the lower incomes save money as well.
This product hack requires them only a plastic bottle.
And with it, they are able to use it as a fan or a light. Cheap and easy to use.
This product hack is also done as a monthly toolkit for the lower income families. They are able to subscribe to organizations to receive cheaper alternative help. These organizations such as Willing Hearts are my secondary target audience. It is also been considered that by putting this product up on Kickstarter, if successful, will be mass produced to the lower incomes for free.
In order to reach out to the primary target audience, I decided to conduct a workshop at the void decks of the lower income families where they can come share and learn about the different methods of hacking with their neighbors. It brings them together for a good cause
and also, creates awareness to hacking.
Repurposing newspapers by whitewashing it into flyers so as to prove that newspaper has a second life to it.
Posters are also placed near their estates to call for participation.
A compilation of the brochure before the workshop, a publication of the workshop that the participants have attended and a newsletter that comes with the toolkit.
A website made for thesustainablehack as a platform to call for awareness to target the younger crowd. Besides creating a social buzz, it can also house content for past and future workshops and new product hacks.
