Our own editor-at-large and writer behind the Circular by Design column (as well as author and podcaster), Katie Treggiden, recently announced her new venture – Waste: A Masterclass. The 12-week program was conceived to inspire, educate and empower designer-makers to create circular products from waste.
Treggiden became a craft and design journalist in 2010, focusing on creativity as an agent for social change. Along the way she’s written five books, established an award-winning blog and an independent magazine while regularly contributing to publications. But it was while earning her recent master’s degree in the History of Design at the University of Oxford that she set an informal question to guide her research: Can craft save the world?
It breaks my heart to see designer-makers – who used to have a real sense of pride about what they do – feeling guilty about putting yet more ‘stuff’ into the world and carrying the weight of responsibility for sustainability like a heavy burden. I want to see them engage with the circular economy with a sense of playfulness, curiosity and experimentation and regain their pride in making. That’s what this course sets out to do and, judging by the beta run, what it seems to be achieving.
– Katie Treggiden
Scheduled to begin September 13th, 2021, Waste: A Masterclass has been designed to help designer-makers regain a sense of pride in what they do, and to see the process of becoming more sustainable as a creative opportunity. Through five modules Treggiden will share insights into working with domestic, industrial, food, fashion and plastic waste. Each module is delivered over a two week period, sharing pre-recorded interviews with designer-makers, read/watch/listen recommendations, challenges and hands-on workshops. Students will also have the opportunity to pick Treggiden’s brain ‘Live’ every two weeks, as well as share their learnings with one another. Together, along with a private Facebook Group, the participating 25-35 students can expect a real sense of community.
I am just coming to the end of a beta version of the masterclass, and I have been absolutely blown away by what the first cohort has achieved already. From collaborations established with waste producers, to prototypes designed and made, they have exceeded my expectations every step of the way. I can’t wait to see what comes out of the new and improved version of the course.
– Katie Treggiden
Interested? You have until 11:59 pm British Summer Time (GMT +1) on Monday, July 19th to sign up for the course, which will begin September 13th, 2021 and require a time commitment of roughly two hours per week over the 12-week period.
The Swing The New Age of Trichology, Sanne Visser
Katie Treggiden
Kelly Beall is senior editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When undistracted by great art and design, she can be found making a mess in the kitchen, consuming as much information as possible, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social.
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