The following sections help students to consider the relevant issues and to structure their work. More information is contained in the main presentation for the project ...

Inspiration

The inspiration for this project was a subject close to my heart! While buying wine at my local wine store, I acquired a range of empty boxes that had contained fine wines!

Ideas

The students were presented with the empty boxes and encouraged to think 'outside the box [!]' about possible uses or products that could be created in the recycling of them. In an open discussion, they soon came up with ideas related to drinking!

Product analysis

Not all students were familiar with products related to wine and so they undertook analysis of various wine-related items. They were looking at both the form and function of the products, identifying both good and bad aspects. Through doing this they were able to note strong ideas to take forward to their work and pitfalls to avoid.

Product development and prototyping

Students worked in pairs and were tasked with developing one idea from the brainstorming. After creating initial sketches and considering construction, the students produced a prototype of their idea for market research, also to ascertain the ease and speed of construction of the product - key factors in deciding whether a product would be profitable when produced in quantity. The sample products were then photographed for market research purposes.

Market research

Students created a questionnaire for parents including a picture of each product. Parents were asked if they would be interested in buying the product, how much they would be prepared to pay and to rate both practicality and appearance. In addition, students displayed their prototypes in the staff room and asked staff to complete the same questionnaire.

Social issues

Before starting production and finalising choices of product and materials, students considered how their choice of product might impact on the environment and society. All designers have a responsibility to consider such issues as recycling, fair trade, sustainability, biodegradability and toxicity; also to consider sourcing materials locally and using flat packing to reduce transport pollution.

Methods of production

Students were tasked with deciding which would be the most efficient methods of production. The prototypes had been made as single ‘one off’ items; however, the production of batches of certain lines would involve students working in pairs or teams, and dedicating themselves to one process of production, so they become highly skilled in that one task.

Marketing

The students decided they needed a logo and company name for their products and created the name REWINED - this was a choice that is easily and clearly read and because of the misspelling, is eye-catching. It also clearly relates the products to wine and plays on the fact that recycling is used in the production of the products. The students used the logo, promotional pictures and descriptive texts to produce a brochure. The students included a disclaimer about not all products appearing exactly as in the photographs due to the varying nature of the boxes, a custom order and a message supporting responsible drinking.

Presentation

The students prepared a Powerpoint presentation as if they were bidding for venture capital for expansion of their business. This outlined the nature of the company and its development, the challenges that had been overcome and the successes achieved so far. They also created business cards and a CD.

Sales

The first location was the local farmers' market. The students contacted the local council who told them that they would require £5,000,000 product liability insurance. This provoked in interesting investigation into product liability and litigation! But by the time we'd investigated the school's insurance cover, there were no vacant pitches left in the market!

The students then identified a forthcoming school show as a sales opportunity and set up a stall in the canteen. Our first sales venture was disappointing, thus provoking discussion about actions to address shortfalls ...

Evaluation

The changes made to the students' sales strategy were very effective and sales increased.

The students entered this project in the NAT WEST/RBS Kent County Enterprise Challenge and were delighted to be declared the winners in 2008 after presenting to judges both at the school and at the final in Swanley!