I recently worked on a project in Web Design class where students were challenged to invent a product that served a vital purpose in a developing country. The product must be made from a material that is sustainable and readily available in the country of use.
It was so exciting to see what kinds of products people came up with; some as mainly concepts to some that could feasibly work if given the right amount of money & support. Ideas ran the gamut - solar satchels’, t-shirts that grow with the owner, a wagon that can be easily created and is easy to transport. We were all trying to improve society, conceptually, and hopefully some of these ideas will eventually be implemented and tested.
I came up with a design for a double-layered can which heats food after the user fills the in-between with water. The idea is already used around the world in the form of pre-packaged meals (Called MRE's) that are used in the armed forces as well as food items for people in developing nations. Pictured (right) is an image of what the US service troops get to eat.
The design of these pre-packaged meals makes them easy to transport, low cost, and useful in many avenues of food consumption. The design follows the idea of "utopian design" putting consumer situation & need at the forefront of design production.
Image Credit: http://modernsurvivalonline.com/homemade-mre/
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