I’m Aine Doran, a Product Design final year student with a love for hands on design, making and material experimentation. I’m especially drawn to projects that begin with a real-world problem and develop through research, prototyping, testing and refinement. I enjoy working in the workshop, building physical models and learning through the process of making.
My work is driven by curiosity, practicality and care, with a strong interest in circular design. Coming from a farming background, I am particularly interested in the connection between agriculture, waste and sustainable product design. For me, design is about more than creating an object, it is about understanding a system, testing ideas properly and making something meaningful, useful and considered.
PrátaPack
This project explores how off-grade potatoes can be transformed into a higher value material for sustainable packaging. The outcome is a compostable style fresh produce punnet made from potato starch and natural fiber reinforcement, designed as an alternative to short life plastic punnets. The project began by researching potato waste in Ireland, speaking with farmers and industry stakeholders, and observing industrial starch extraction. It then moved through concept selection, material development, CAD modelling, mould making, prototyping and testing.
The final proposal uses a ventilated punnet form, reinforced rim and recyclable cardboard sleeve to support produce visibility, handling and clear disposal instructions. The project shows how agricultural waste could become part of a more circular packaging system.
