A Social Responsibility Project Example: Sustainable Fabric Toys Project

Abstract

Sustainability has emerged as a prominent and crucial topic in various domains and societies, aiming to create a more livable world. It represents a goal of establishing an ethical, greener, and progressive society and world in all its aspects. The awareness of finite resources, environmental concerns, and the significance of intergenerational resource transfer has brought forth several challenges, including excessive use of raw materials and natural resources, harsh and labor-intensive working conditions, environmentally damaging waste generated during production, as well as the issue of rapidly depleting textile products with short lifespans and subsequent waste. In light of these pressing concerns, it is of utmost importance for designers and artists to exert efforts toward sustainability, minimizing resource consumption, and fostering awareness and focus. This study focuses on the revaluation of surplus production or waste raw materials and accessories originating from the fashion and textile industries. The project "Sustainable Textile Product Designs of Cloth Dolls and Toys with Social Responsibility Awareness" encompasses activities that utilize these materials to promote and support social awareness and solidarity. This text, conveying the project, aims to draw attention to sustainability in textiles and toy choices for preschool children, anticipating it will contribute to awareness and recognition within the realms of environmental cycles, eco-design, and sustainability. Anchored at Dokuz Eylül University's Faculty of Fine Arts, this project, grounded in design, product development, and application, has employed an “applied” research methodology. The expectation is that the emergence of new and creative ideas focused on recycling and advanced transformation will foster a specific consciousness in society and individuals across various domains.