Lu Zhao's Innovative "Plastic Book" Wins Prestigious A' Design Award

A Unique Approach to Highlighting Plastic Pollution Through Art and Design

The inspiration for the "Plastic" project came from a disturbing sight around the courier spots near the school where discarded plastic bags were a common sight. The sight of children chewing on these plastic bags was the final straw, prompting Lu Zhao and his team to take action. The team decided to create a book made entirely from waste plastic materials, not only as a means of recycling but also as a powerful visual reminder of the plastic pollution problem.

The "Plastic" book is unique in its design and execution. The team used waste plastics as materials, designing and cutting purely by hand to create a one-of-a-kind book. The text and stickers in the book are made by imitating children's brushstrokes, rendering a sense of innocence while highlighting the serious issue of plastic pollution. The book's dimensions are Width 225mm x Depth 325mm x Height 10mm.

The production process of the "Plastic" book involved research, collecting materials and production tools, cutting page size, content design planning, pasting production, and binding into a book. The project started in October 2019 in Dalian, Liaoning, and finished in November 2019 in the same location. The team faced challenges in design activities due to the instability of plastics and the difficulty in accurately cutting the soft texture of the material by hand.

The "Plastic" book is not just a design project; it's a statement about the future of our planet. The team posed the question, "How long will plastics stay with the world in the future and how much influence will they have on the future generations of the earth?" This question, and the resulting "Plastic" book, serves as a stark reminder of the plastic pollution problem and a call to action for all of humanity.

The "Plastic" project has been recognized for its innovative approach and powerful message, winning the Silver A' Print and Published Media Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The award is a testament to the team's dedication to addressing the issue of plastic pollution through innovative design.