How can design contribute to driving change towards a greener world?
In the Green Utopia project, students specializing in Media Design and Communication Design developed visionary future scenarios in close collaboration with researchers from TU Graz, Montanuniversität Leoben and the University of Graz – based on real technologies and developments from Green Tech Valley, the innovation hotspot for climate protection and the circular economy in Styria. The project was also supported by Holzcluster Steiermark and Creative Industries Styria.
The award ceremony for this year’s researchers and the Vizualize team took place on 27 May as part of Design Month at the Hornig Areal.
In creative short videos and impressive visual worlds, six student teams visualized utopian ideas such as electronic noses, which will change the way we deal with soil health forever, or the use of plant-based biochar made from waste products from the wood industry.
The work was presented to a wide audience – including decision-makers from politics, business and science – under the auspices of CIS as part of Design Month Graz.
The project is an example of how design, technology and sustainability can be combined in media design studies – and invites students to play an active role in shaping the future.
