Design Task-Formative Assessment
Step 1: Explain and Justify the Problem
Water pollution (especially river pollution) is a very strong environmental issue for a documentary
because it connects directly to human life, health, and ecosystems.
River pollution is a serious problem as it affects different groups of people in different ways.
Communities living near polluted rivers often depend on the river for drinking water, cooking, farming,
and daily use, which puts their health and well-being at risk. Polluted water can lead to an increase in
water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and skin infections. It also impacts livelihoods,
especially for people who depend on fishing or agriculture.
At the same time, river pollution harms the environment by killing fish, birds, and aquatic organisms, and
it destroys natural habitats. Toxic waste, plastic, and sewage reduce oxygen levels in the water, making it
difficult for marine and river life to survive. Overall, river pollution is not only an environmental issue but
also a social and public health issue, making it an effective and meaningful topic for a documentary. It
also affects biodiversity by harming plants, birds, and animals that depend on the river for survival. In the
long term, polluted rivers become unsafe not only for human consumption but also for agriculture,
livestock, and overall sustainability. Therefore, river pollution is environmentally significant as it
threatens both human life and natural ecosystems, making it a major concern for present and future
generations.
It is also important in a global context because many rivers are shared between different countries, and
pollution created in one country can easily flow downstream and affect another country. This can create
serious international conflicts, as water is essential for drinking, farming, and industry.
Step 2: Construct a Research Plan
In order to understand the severity of the problem, secondary research can be conducted to examine how
river pollution affects different groups of people and how it impacts the environment. Collecting data and
statistics will help in creating an effective documentary prop and communicating the issue clearly through
visuals and evidence.
Secondary research published by renowned sources such as the World Bank, the United Nations (UN),
and other environmental organizations can provide reliable information about the extent of river pollution,
its causes, and its consequences. This research can also highlight the steps and measures taken by
different countries to control pollution and protect biodiversity. For example, China’s decision to ban
fishing in the Yangtze River can be used as a case study to show how policy actions can help improve
biodiversity and restore ecosystems.
In addition to secondary data, primary data can also be collected through interviews with
environmentalists and NGO workers who are actively involved in addressing river pollution. Short video
clips of their work and personal insights can strengthen the documentary by adding real-life perspectives
and experiences.
To make the documentary prop successful, secondary data should be collected first, as it helps establish a
strong background and provides factual support. This will help demonstrate the harmful effects of river
pollution and create a more impactful and informative documentary.
Step 3: Analyse Existing Products / Inspirations
A similar documentary on river pollution, particularly focusing on the Yamuna River, was created by The
Guardian. This documentary effectively portrays the seriousness of the issue by showing the condition of
the river and highlighting the main causes of pollution. It clearly demonstrates how the river becomes
increasingly polluted as it enters urban areas due to sewage waste, industrial discharge, and human
activities.
The documentary also includes interviews with different groups of people, such as local residents and
experts, which makes the content more engaging and helps the audience understand the real-life impact of
river pollution. Overall, the combination of visuals and personal perspectives makes the documentary
more appealing and clearly explains how Yamuna river pollution has become more severe over time.
Another campaigning documentary that can be used as inspiration is the “Campaign for Your River”
documentary created by River Action UK. This documentary is effective because it highlights how young
people are actively involved in protecting rivers and raising awareness about pollution.
It also showcases initiatives such as the Oxford Clean Rivers Initiative, explaining how local communities
are taking action and making a real difference. This documentary is helpful because it does not only focus
on the problem, but also presents solutions and positive change, showing that river pollution can be
reduced through collective effort, activism, and community participation.
Step 4: Develop a Design Brief
Problem Statement
The documentary addresses the issue of river pollution, focusing on how pollution increases as a river
enters urban areas. River pollution is a major environmental and social problem because it leads to unsafe
drinking water, increases the spread of water-borne diseases, raises healthcare expenditure, and damages
aquatic ecosystems by causing biodiversity loss and the death of marine and river animals. Since many
rivers are shared between countries, this issue also becomes a global concern.
Target Audience
The target audience for the documentary includes:
● Students and young people (to raise awareness and encourage action)
● Local communities living near rivers
● General public viewers
● Government and policy stakeholders
● Environmental activists and NGOs
The documentary aims to educate and emotionally connect with audiences so they understand the
seriousness of the issue and the need for sustainable solutions.
Proposed Prop Idea
The proposed prop is a 3-section 3D river pollution model (interactive display) that visually shows how a
river changes from clean to heavily polluted.
Design Description:
● The prop will be a transparent container or box divided into three sections:
1. Clean river zone (source area)
2. Moderately polluted zone (town area)
3. Highly polluted zone (city/industrial area)
Each section will contain visual elements such as plastic waste, sewage effects, and dead fish cut-outs to
show pollution stages.
Materials Used:
● Transparent recycled plastic box/bottle
● Cardboard base (recycled)
● Blue paper or eco-friendly paint
● Recycled plastic pieces (waste wrappers, bottle caps)
● Charcoal powder/black ink (to represent industrial waste)
● Paper fish cut-outs (to show loss of biodiversity)
● Printed fact cards with statistics from sources like UN, WHO, and World Bank
This prop is inspired by documentaries such as The Guardian’s Yamuna River pollution documentary and
the River Action UK campaigning documentary, which effectively use visuals, real-life examples, and
interviews to communicate the severity of river pollution.
Sustainability Considerations
The prop will be designed in an environmentally responsible way by:
● Using recycled and reused materials such as plastic containers and cardboard
● Avoiding harmful chemicals or toxic materials
● Creating a durable model that can be reused for future awareness campaigns
● Minimizing waste during construction by using only necessary materials
This ensures the prop supports ethical design and aligns with sustainability values.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcome is that the prop will help communicate the issue of river pollution clearly and
effectively by visually demonstrating:
● How pollution enters rivers through human activities
● How polluted water affects human health and increases disease rates
● How it harms fish, animals, and biodiversity
● Why river pollution is a global issue affecting ecosystems and communities
The prop will make the documentary more engaging, understandable, and impactful for the audience.