Sent from heaven above
20th November 2003
A UNSW industrial design student has created a food relief packaging system to bring aid to war torn parts of the world.
Inspired by watching people resort to eating grass in Afghanistan during the war against terrorism, fourth-year student Nicholas Tan created Manna.
Designed for aerial drops, Manna is a largely biodegradable package made of cardboard, and even popcorn for cushioning. A parachute is attached to the product allowing for safer aerial delivery. “Currently only military drops have parachutes,” says Tan. “This would be the first civilian drop to do so.”
Containing 56 meals of high-protein soybeans and water, Manna is Tan’s answer to design for a social purpose. “Manna is not just a product, it is about changing people’s mindset about what design is. Things that are so very expensive and are considered ‘designer goods’ are not so useful. We’re able to afford fast cars and posh apartments but we can’t keep two thirds of the world’s population from starving.”
Tan hopes to sell his design to either international aid organisations or socially conscious corporations.
Manna and other industrial design products will be on display at the fourth-year end of year student exhibition Imaginate to be held in December.
What: University of New South Wales Industrial Design Exhibition
When: 10am – 6pm, Monday December 1 – Sunday December 7
Where: Argyle Stores, Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney
Contact: Industrial Design Office, ph 9385 4853
Media contact: Sarah Wilson, UNSW Media Office, ph 9385 8079, mob 0401 636 767.
Inspired by watching people resort to eating grass in Afghanistan during the war against terrorism, fourth-year student Nicholas Tan created Manna.
Designed for aerial drops, Manna is a largely biodegradable package made of cardboard, and even popcorn for cushioning. A parachute is attached to the product allowing for safer aerial delivery. “Currently only military drops have parachutes,” says Tan. “This would be the first civilian drop to do so.”
Containing 56 meals of high-protein soybeans and water, Manna is Tan’s answer to design for a social purpose. “Manna is not just a product, it is about changing people’s mindset about what design is. Things that are so very expensive and are considered ‘designer goods’ are not so useful. We’re able to afford fast cars and posh apartments but we can’t keep two thirds of the world’s population from starving.”
Tan hopes to sell his design to either international aid organisations or socially conscious corporations.
Manna and other industrial design products will be on display at the fourth-year end of year student exhibition Imaginate to be held in December.
What: University of New South Wales Industrial Design Exhibition
When: 10am – 6pm, Monday December 1 – Sunday December 7
Where: Argyle Stores, Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney
Contact: Industrial Design Office, ph 9385 4853
Media contact: Sarah Wilson, UNSW Media Office, ph 9385 8079, mob 0401 636 767.
Share on Facebook Add to Del.icio.us Digg this story |