Overview
PlayPlastics was developed through an Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) mentorship opportunity, under the guidance of Emma Segal, in which graphic design students executed on a design brief established by a senior graphic designer while receiving ongoing, regular guidance throughout the process.
The project initially aimed to design materials for Arboris, a modern home goods company focused on replacing extractive materials with regenerative, recoverable alternatives. As the project progressed, our objective shifted towards education, exploring how repurposing plastic waste could be used as a tool to educate youth about the circular economy and the impact plastic waste has on our environment.
Play Plastics Logo Design
The logo design for Play Plastics combines cursive with a bold typeface, which reflects the idea that we are addressing a serious issue while remaining engaging and playful for students. The design, including the typeface, was carefully chosen to ensure legibility and allow the logo to adapt seamlessly across a variety of platforms and applications.
Play Plastics: Style guide
Play Plastics Website
Play Plastics Homepage
The current Play Plastic website formerly called Arboris Lab underwent changes in terms of colour, typography, and style. Since the website was our main deliverable, our aim was to create a series of engaging webpages which highlighted Play Plastics' mission and encouraged the target audience to get involved with and learn about recycled plastic furniture.
Process Work
After presenting our initial layout and colour scheme during the RGD check-in, we received feedback that Arboris Lab did not strongly appeal to our target audience. In response, we rebranded the project as Play Plastics to better reflect its fun, hands-on approach.
Rather than using the typical green associated with recycling, we chose a palette inspired by Toronto's blue recycling bins. Blue became the primary colour to represent recycling, while lime green added a sense of playfulness and energy.
Play Plastics style guide
Website Design
Asset Designs
In addition to the website, we designed a range of print and digital assets to support the Play Plastics program. These materials were created to raise awareness, educate audiences, and promote the program and its recycled plastic products.
The practical guide for schools, available for digital and print, was designed to provide information about Play Plastic's mission and a detailed overview of how the process works and what users can expect by being a part of this program.
Guide designed by: Luiza
Play Plastics Guide for schools layout, by Luiza
Play Plastics Guide for Schools mockup by Luiza
This teacher activity guide introduces a hands-on classroom project where students collect, sort, and analyze plastic waste from their homes or community. Students identify patterns in plastic consumption, explore the environmental impact of everyday waste, and present their findings while discussing practical ways to reduce plastic use and make more sustainable choices.
Activity designed by: Carla
Class Activity page 1
Class Activity page 2
Play Plastics cargo van, by Carla
The van and recycling bin mockups were created to demonstrate how the Play Plastics brand could extend beyond the digital experience into real-world community engagement. The branded electric van represents the transportation of plastic waste and outreach efforts, while the recycling bins illustrate convenient collection points within schools.
Van & bins designed by: Carla
Play Plastics collections bins, by Carla
Play Plastics posters for schools, by Uswa
To increase student engagement and awareness, a series of posters were designed to represent different stages of the Play Plastics journey in a gamified way. The posters were created using the Play Plastics brand colours and refined based on feedback gathered from middle and high school students, helping inform key design decisions.
Posters designed by: Uswa
Play Plastics, printable posters for schools, by Uswa
An alternate version of the posters were created using a different colour scheme that would be well suited for printing, which is evident from the light coloured background. Posters can also be customized according to school colours.
