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Recap: Pecha Kucha 2/21

Krystal Persaud — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:42:34 +0000

Pecha Kucha this past Sunday was a blast! I had so much fun giving my Closed Loop talk and listening to the other speakers. The line up was fantastic — from wine connoisseurs to freight train jumpers. Below are some pictures from the night. Ok, the first one is not the most flattering…but I do kind of look like a hardcore MC or something

Is Sustainability a Sacrifice?

Krystal Persaud — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:42:55 +0000

I am currently taking a materials and sustainability course at Georgia Tech. Last week we had a discussion about whether or not sustainability is a sacrifice. For example — does sustainability sacrifice creativity and design?

I was surprised that many students thought that sustainability DOES compromise the design process. Without naming names, one student said negatively affecting the environment (with new product and mass-manufacturing) was justified because it meant we were evolving technologies and intellectually growing as a society. My answer — If we are evolved and intellectual, why can’t we think of ways to still move forward as a society without destroying the very planet we live on. Anyways, I feel the exact opposite. I hope all designers do — designing for sustainability is definitely a challenge, but it in no way should stifle the advancement of ideas and innovations — instead, sustainability might lead us down a new path.

I can understand why people feel like living sustainably means reverting back to primitive ways when technology and mass production did not exist. Yes, that was one period of time where people lived more sustainably. Reducing our consumption and production of products is one way to live more sustainably — but what if we just consumed biodegradable products or produced products with wind powered factories. You don’t have to be “green” and cynical!

I have so much faith in future designers/engineers/architects/visionaries. I know that if we are optimistic and keep our creative and innovative juices flowing that we won’t have to sacrifice the norms of our current society to be green. We will think up ways to live sustainably AND advance technology — those two realms are so closely interconnected to me. I just hope that future designers are up to the challenge! Because my class last week got me feeling pretty pessimistic.

If future designers are not optimistic, then how will they affect future consumers?

Georgia Tech Inventure Prize Semi-Finalist!

Krystal Persaud — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:26:03 +0000

Woo hoo! I have made it to the semi-finals with my Powerplant concept. The next judging round is Thursday, February 4th. We are going to give a presentation around 12 minutes long to explain and sell our idea. I am really happy that I made it this far… but there is so much at stake! The top two inventions win $15,000 and $10,000!

Wish me luck next week!

The Powerplant takes on the Georgia Tech Inventure Contest

Krystal Persaud — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:28:32 +0000

Today I presented my Powerplant idea in the Inventure Contest at Georgia Tech. Wish me luck! Today was just the first round… finalists are announced in the coming days. A lot of people seemed interested. I got some great feedback about how to improve the design too.

2009 Senior Light Show

Krystal Persaud — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:03:59 +0000

The culmination of our lighting projects! The crowd was great that night and I got a lot of feedback about my “powerplant light”. Photos from the light show to come!

I Pledge…

Krystal Persaud — Mon, 11 May 2009 08:57:52 +0000

This is the recycling pledge that Georgia Tech has written to show students their environmental responsibilities. I think its great that Tech has these expectations of their students…but through a pledge? It sounds like a girlscout’s pledge. With Cindy Jackson as head of the recycling department, Tech has a very extensive program compared to other schools. However, I think most students aren’t aware of this! There are so many facilities available (even a computer recycling service). More info available at the Tech recycling website.

I don’t know if recycling-awareness techniques have changed in the past 5 months since I have been away, but with some changes recycling at tech could be more successful. As part of this project, I have have been thinking of ways to bring what I have learned back to Tech. I think its really important to have organic compost to reduce food waste in landfills. It is definitely a lifestyle change though. I am going to have a chat with Cindy…

Hey Tech kids– would you be willing to participate in a composting program? if it was logistically worked out, basically you would collect food waste in a seperate bin and need to deposit it somewhere periodically where it would be taken to a given composting site. Would it be hard? Easy? What do you think? Please post your answer/comments/concerns… maybe it will happen!