As traditional as the Trade Union series may seem, it takes the age-old basket technique and subtly spins it on its head. In place of straw materials, this collection is handcrafted out of a naturally biodegradable, industrially produced and starch-based plastic known as Solanyl. Thus, the Trade Union collection brings this art form into the modern century by addressing contemporary concerns about the environment.
Showcased during the Dutch Design Week at the Design Academy Eindhoven, the Trade Union basket collection symbolizes "a marriage of industrial chemistry and traditional knowledge that allows for a more flexible system of production and design,” according to the designer Rachel Griffin of Studio Earnest.
The Trade Union baskets feature oak and steel materials as well.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Naturally Biodegradable Materials
- Using naturally biodegradable materials instead of traditional ones, like in Rachel Griffin's Trade Union series, presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in a range of industries.
- Industrial Production
- Combining industrial production techniques with traditional craftsmanship, as seen in the Trade Union basket collection, opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in manufacturing and production industries.
- Environmentally Conscious Design
- Designing products that address contemporary concerns about the environment, such as the Trade Union collection made from Solanyl plastic, offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the design industry.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Sustainable Packaging
- Using naturally biodegradable materials in packaging, like Solanyl plastic, can disrupt the packaging industry and promote eco-friendly solutions.
- Furniture Design
- Integrating oak and steel materials with biodegradable materials, as demonstrated in the Trade Union baskets, can drive disruptive innovation in the furniture design industry.
- Manufacturing
- Incorporating industrial production techniques with traditional craftsmanship, as exemplified by the Trade Union collection, can bring about disruptive innovation in the manufacturing industry.
