Programme Identity

The Association had in its portfolio the Sustainable Event, a waste management service with trained staff and infrastructure. The first design action aimed to provide more visibility for this service, having as a reference the tripod of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental factors were developed

Uniforms:

Containers :

The front has space for visual information that, in a didactic way, prompts the correct disposal. It can be printed as a banner exclusive for each event in which they are being hired.

The collectors are made from recycled milk and juice cartons, creating a strong, durable mixture of aluminium and polymer. This is a sustainable material that does not lose any properties when exposed to rain or sun. The design proposal is modular and can be used only in one unit or in groups of two or four. In order to make the logistics accessible, it was designed to occupy the minimum space in the truck.

Personalised Products :

At the second phase of this programme, we work with another demand from ASMARE, in which the group wishes to have their own products made with recyclable materials collected by their associates – especially the ones with lower commercial value for the association, such as wood – so they could produce, commercialise, and have an alternative income source to the garbage collection.

The commercialisation of these products could give more autonomy to the members and improve the living conditions of the people involved with the activities of the association.

As a result, three products were developed so that the association can produce and commercialise them:

Corporate gift:

An object holder whose pieces could be used together or separately.
The pieces fit together to reduce the occupancy space on the table, as well as to diminish the volume in the transportation and storage of the product

Vira seis (6 games in 1):

The solution for the game was creating multiple games in one product. There are 16 cubes in each one of its faces there is a different game. They are made of pinewood (which comes from the pallets donated to the association). The games are printed on the wood by means of silkscreen.

Iconic object holder:

Miniature of the car used to collect recyclable material on the streets. Handmade produced with recycled wood from the association.
Commemorative edition of the 25 years of the association.

Community Workshops :

Participated in the development and delivery of a community-based arts and design programme focused on supporting artisan women and recycling communities through creative education and collaborative workshops.

Worked closely with participants to identify needs, build confidence, and improve handmade products using design-thinking methods, creativity exercises, colour studies, branding, communication and product development strategies.

Helped facilitate weekly workshops, create educational materials, support community engagement activities, and provide one-to-one mentoring for artisans developing their own products and creative identities.

The project emphasised knowledge exchange, empowerment, cultural identity, sustainability and social inclusion, contributing to improved skills, self-esteem and visibility for participants.

Book:

Book published with a demonstration of results obtained with the extension project: “Catadores de Sonhos” (The Dream Catchers)

Congresses & Events

The programme was invited to several design congresses and exhibitions, such as Jornadas Jóvenes Investigadores in Argentina, and also the COP 21 United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.

Award-winning Project:

The Federal University of Minas Gerais celebrates with an annual ceremony the results from several extension programmes that are developed on the Campus. The main objective is to recognise good educational practices and projects that integrate the university and society. As first among 592 extension programmes, the Catadores de Sonhos Programme (page x) was awarded in 2014 in the category: Work.