A highlight of Gemma鈥檚 study was working on a project using dag wool to develop fertiliser seedling covers 鈥 a design selected as a finalist in the 2019 Wool-ovation Competition. Another highlight was working with mechanical engineering and science students to pioneer a new concept of 鈥渂lue carbon credits鈥 鈥 a floating structure to grow seaweed and store carbon at the bottom of the ocean.
However, she is proudest of her master鈥檚 thesis project 鈥 the development of a long-life lure dispenser for Department of Conservation traps.
鈥淭he long-life lure dispenser is designed to contain and release a highly attractive substance over an extended period of time, which would drastically reduce the labour required for conservation efforts. My final design is a simple concept which is compatible with nearly all existing traps and is extremely low-cost, simple to manufacture and uses off-the-shelf materials. The project is looking to be continued with another student to test and refine before the lure can be taken to market.鈥
Currently, Gemma is working as a teaching assistant at the听UC School of Product Design听before starting an environmental internship at furniture design company Resero in Hawkes Bay in January.
鈥淭he internship is perfect for me, because I will be helping to develop more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to current packaging and logistics methods. Long-term I would like to start my own company, as I believe product designers have the knowledge and tools to innovate solutions to reduce a product鈥檚 impact on the environment 鈥 we just need to show that the most sustainable solutions are often the most economical in the long run.鈥
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