‘Emphasis is to be placed on the qualities of being clever, original and inventive. To design, develop and make an object of use from limited resources.’

Following the initial wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, we found ourselves further apart and more distanced from each other than ever before. Projects on hold, others postponed indefinitely, many people out of work as a result of business closures and job cuts. The fortunate are working remotely, behind screens, connected digitally and virtually. We are witnessing elevated rates of stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression. Our mental health was suffering, our future was uncertain.

The aim of alt.material’s fourth event – titled ‘ingenuity’ was to address how design might bring us closer together despite our current physical separation. As designers, how can we address the need for essential connection and urges practical responses that solve real problems?