Trash Crisis - Sakarit — Graphic/Web Designer, Brooklyn, NYC

Climate Crisis Trash Pollution Global Boiling

Climate Crisis: Act Now or Live With It

Design as disruption, protest, and possibility

This project transforms discarded materials, including plastic bags, food packaging, bottles, cardboard, and print media, into a diverse series of printed, functional, decorative, terrariums, and wearable objects. The collection encompasses posters, postcards, pin buttons, tote bags, purses, backpacks, a sculptural poster, a jacket, a T-shirt design, and a mobile workstation. Building upon my Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 project Quisquiliae: 21st-Century Dadaism, Art and Design for All Possible Worlds, as well as my 2022 Trash-to-Treasure Bag Collection, this body of work reimagines waste as a creative resource and a catalyst for social transformation and environmental reform.

Beyond addressing the climate crisis, the global waste catastrophe, ocean pollution, and overconsumption, the project also examines the decline of print publishing through the material reuse of old magazines and newspapers. The work has been presented in two exhibitions: my solo exhibition, Trash Crisis: Act Now or Live with It, at the Juliana Curran Terian Design Center, Pratt School of Design and INTER/PLAY, a collective exhibition showcasing student work that transcends disciplinary boundaries by integrating mathematical and scientific concepts into creative practice. Organized by Pratt’s Math and Science Department, INTER/PLAY explores the intersections of mathematics, science, ecology, the environment, and sustainability.

Responding to the United Nations’ warning of a “Global Boiling” era, this project critiques the culture of overconsumption, the inadequacies of contemporary waste management, and the unequal distribution of environmental harm. It hightlights environmental justice by recognizing that communities across the Global South often bear disproportionate burdens of waste pollution and climate change, despite contributing unequally to the global emissions and consumption that drive these crises.

By bringing together graphic design, motion, interior design, gardening, dressmaking, textile design, haute couture, and avant-garde wearable art, I transform upcycling into both a material practice and a form of environmental activism. Through an immersive installation that unifies the objects created throughout this series, I reinterpret Gesamtkunstwerk—’the total work of art‘—as an interconnected ecological and social experience. Rather than merely integrating multiple artistic disciplines, the installation connects material reuse, consumer responsibility, and environmental justice, inviting audiences to reconsider the global consequences of consumption and the possibilities of transforming discarded materials into instruments of social and ecological change.

Featured Works: A Multimedia Gesamtkunstwerk

"CLIMATE & TRASH CRISIS:
Act Now or Live With It !"

A selection of featured works demonstrating how graphic design, sculpture, print, fashion, and motion graphics converge into a unified artistic vision, transforming environmental advocacy into a multidisciplinary total work of art.

Posters, Postcards, Stickers, and Button Pins

This series comprises a large-format poster, smaller posters, postcards, stickers, and a printed T-shirt. I deliberately employ dark silhouettes, bold outlines, and thick, simplified forms to ensure that the imagery remains legible and reproducible through screen-printing techniques, which may struggle to render fine lines and intricate details, particularly at smaller scales.

This design strategy also considers the limitations of printing infrastructure in regions with limited access to advanced equipment and production resources. By prioritizing visual clarity, technical adaptability, and affordability, I envision these works as accessible tools for grassroots environmental activism. Small activist groups and community organizations could reproduce and distribute the designs for public awareness campaigns, community outreach, and fundraising.

In this way, the series extends beyond visual communication to explore how art and design can support collective action, democratize access to creative resources, and amplify environmental advocacy, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.

A T-shirt design developed to demonstrate how my original artwork could be translated into screen-printed applications. Although the T-shirt was not included in the exhibition, it serves as an example of how the visual language of the series could extend into wearable design.

Environmental Advocacy in the Urban Landscape

A visualization of the poster reimagined for public display across billboards, walls, and other urban environments, extending its environmental message beyond the exhibition and into everyday public life.

Sculptural Banner & Motion

Designed for immediate public impact, this 3D sculptural poster prioritizes bold typography and high-contrast underwater themes to communicate the urgency of overconsumption, waste pollution, ocean pollution, and the climate crisis.

A banner constructed entirely from discarded cardboard boxes, the work carries an urgent message: “ACT NOW: Or Live With It.” This direct statement confronts viewers with a choice between immediate environmental responsibility and its devastating consequences. Extending the project into digital space, dynamic motion graphics employ fluid ocean imagery and vibrant colors to convey the complexity of ocean pollution. Together, these works combine visual impact, material reuse, and public engagement to transform environmental awareness into a compelling call for collective action.

Construction Detail

Trash-to-Treasure Bag Collection

Initiated in Summer 2022 as an ongoing extension of my broader Quisquiliae 21st century Dadaism: Art and Design for All Possible Worlds project, which began in 2019, this collection transforms discarded consumer waste and print publications into functional, high-fashion wearable art, including tote bags and backpacks. Rooted in Quisquiliae, the Latin term for “waste matter” or “dregs,” the collection embraces an eco-critical Dadaist philosophy that elevates discarded materials into durable, collectible design objects. Bridging two-dimensional collage techniques with three-dimensional haute couture and practical utility, the project demonstrates how upcycled art can unite environmental advocacy with everyday functionality. It confronts the escalating global waste and climate crises while drawing attention to the decline of print media and the physical disappearance of printed publications.

"Super Tote No.1”

It puts lotion in the basket
Part of the Trash-to-Treasure Bag Collection (2022)
Date: Summer 2022
Medium: pcycled polypropylene woven bags (rice bag), sequin fabric, felt fabric, cotton, plastic pearls, metal, gemstones
Dimensions: H. 13 x W. 16.5 x D. 6.5 inches (H 33.02 cm × W. 41.91 × D. 16.51 cm.)

"Trashy Baroque" Backpack No.2

Ocean Pollution ACT NOW or Live With It

Trash Particles

uisquiliae 21st century Dadaism: Art and Design for All Possible Worlds

Created in Fall 2020 from discarded paper, delivery packaging, and rugged cotton canvas, these bags are designed for exceptional durability. The tote, featuring reinforced straps, is specifically built to withstand loads of up to 50kg (110lbs). Influenced by the Dadaist movement, the textured patterns are meticulously arranged to showcase a surprising collage that celebrates the quality and resilience of upcycled materials. (Quisquiliae means “waste matter” in Latin.)

Dadaist Bacpack: the Portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross, Crime Scene, David Lynch Coffee

“Quisquiliae Continens”: Heavy Duty Tote

Dadaist collages were laid out before being stitched into functional totes and handbags. Designed for extreme durability, the pieces are lined with heavy-duty organic cotton canvas capable of carrying over 50 kg (110 lbs). The project title derives from Quisquiliae, the Latin term for “waste matter.”

“Quisquiliae Continens”: Substantial Handbag

In Latin, continens means "holding together," "continuous," "mainland," or "connected land."

Contruction Detail

Quisquiliae Purse from Trash

This purse is crafted from absorbent packaging wadding and used plastic nylon thread rolls, reconceptualizing and transforming discarded materials into functional items while displaying them as an art piece.

Quisquiliae Dadaist Purse

This purse is crafted from discarded materials and shaped like a 3D Dadaist sculpture. It is both functional and durable.

Dodi & Mina: Collectibles from a Discarded World

Handmade plush collectibles crafted from upcycled materials and industrial waste, including discarded snack packaging, Oreo wrappers, plastic buttons,and mailing bags. Adorned with gold sequins, button eyes, strings of pearls, beads, pearl shells, crystals, and charms, Dodi & Mina turn overlooked trash into tactile, character-driven sculptures that physicalize themes of playful survival and material transformation.

Trash Jacket

This jacket is part of my “Quisquiliae 21st century Dadaism: Art and Design for All Possible Worlds” series, and it addresses the decline of the publishing industry caused by new online business models, economic crises, and increased commercialization.

Dadaist collages were first constructed from upcycled newspapers, magazines, and found objects. Then, the collages were draped on a mannequin to form the shape of the jacket, creating a voluminous and avant-garde structure. A zipper was stitched so the jacket would be easy to put on or take off, and plastic inner and outer linings were added to make it rain-resistant.

Decorations made of mesh packaging, jingle bells, and bubble wrap add texture and a chic finish, while ostrich feathers provide a “haute couture” look. (Quisquiliae means “waste matter” and Vestis means “clothing” in Latin.)

Pandora Mobile Workstation

This human-centered workstation functions as both an easel and a desk, providing a dedicated space for drawing boards, supplies, and personal belongings. I designed this piece as a rapid response for those displaced or living in confined spaces due to the inequality of ecological collapse. The unit is entirely collapsible and portable, allowing it to move as quickly as its user. By decorating the station in an Art Nouveau style, I am asserting that even the most functional emergency objects deserve aesthetic dignity. In use, the workstation becomes its own theatrical performance.

Related Works Not Included in the Exhibition

"CLIMATE & TRASH CRISIS:
Act Now or Live With It !"

Additional works developed as part of the project, exploring its concepts, visual language, and potential applications beyond the exhibition.

Sculptural Poster

While this bas-relief-style sculptural poster offers a grounded, tactile presence, the addition of digital motion videos serves to amplify the climate crisis narrative. Specifically, the introduction of movement heightens the environmental stakes, rendering the show far more impactful. Consequently, this dialogue between physical and digital media creates a compelling example of Immersive Experiential Design that connects with the viewer on a profound emotional level.

Sculptural Poster

Drawing inspiration from the visual rhythm and dynamic movement of Wassily Kandinsky, this wall sculpture transforms discarded materials into a harmonious interplay of patterns, geometric structures, and organic forms. The deliberate arrangement establishes smooth connections between found objects, inviting viewers to trace their spatial relationships. Echoing John Chamberlain’s approach to surface and material, spray paint is applied across the assembled trash, blurring the boundary between sculpture and painting to achieve a rich, painterly quality.

Inter / Play

For years, the Pratt Math & Science department has offered courses that challenge students to transcend disciplinary boundaries by integrating their research into math and/or science ideas into their creative process.The show highlights exemplary work at the interface between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the diverse creative disciplines represented by Pratt’s majors.More than half of the work in the show was produced for one of the Pratt Math & Science courses. The department is grateful to collaborate with the working group of MSCI faculty/staff who curated the show, and to the students/collaborators who generously offered their work for inclusion in the show.

"We have a responsibility toward the other life-forms of our planet whose continued existence is threatened by the thoughtless behavior of our own human species. . . . Environmental responsibility – for if there is no God, then, obviously, it is up to us to put things right."

~ Jane Goodall

Discover More

INTER/PLAY showcases student works that transcend disciplinary boundaries by integrating their research into math and/or science ideas to inform their creative process. Centered around themes in math, science, ecology, environment, and sustainability, the event is organized by the Pratt Math & Science department. 04/17.05/07.2024 Apr 17-May 07, 2024 Discover Inter/Play ARC LL F-09 Gallery, Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY 07.2020-04.2021 Discover Jul 2020 - Apr 2021 Postal Mail Art Project, Berlin, Germany Contributed 60 unique mixed-media works to mail art projects curated by artists Varsha Nair (UK/India) and Karla Sachse (Germany). Participants’ work gathered in portfolios, exhibited/conducted through postal service in Berlin and Baroda in 2021 and donated to museums that collect mail art. UNI/^2.Vers Bridges is an annual juried exhibition celebrating the talents of community college student artists from PAFA's partner institutions around the country and the inspiration of their educators. Featuring the work of PAFA undergraduate who began their artistic careers in community college. Discover Bridges 09.20-10.12-2019 Sept 20 - Oct 12, 2019 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), 118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA Discover 09.20-10.12.2019 Political Intimacy:
THE R3TURN Sept 20 - Oct 12, 2019 Recess, 46 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY This exhibition showcases artworks by students dedicated to cultural and social justice practices, addressing themes such as gender inclusivity, racial equality, environmental awareness, food security, immigrants' rights, cooperatives, and accessibility initiatives. Discover 09.20-10.12.2019 CLIMATE CRISIS: Act Now or Live With It Nov 17 - DeC 7, 2023 3rd Fl., Juliana Curran Terian Design Center Pavilion, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY A Solo exhibition featuring artworks upcycled from discarded materials and found objects, including motion graphics raising awareness about trash pollution and "global boiling," and inviting the audience to participate in upcycling and reducing trash to be part of the change. Discover 09.20-10.12.2019 Empathy Towards the Natural World March 10–24, 2025 3rd fl, Pratt Studios, Juliana Curran Terian Design Center, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NYC This multidisciplinary exhibition aims to bring together individuals at Pratt who are inspired by or committed to the idea of living in a more ecocentric world.