The manufacture of plastic products to serve various purposes has found a way into the manufacturing sector, and those industries that have been affected include the automotive industry, medical technology and other manufacturing industries. The need to have sustainable, lightweight and durable plastic parts is on the rise, and learning institutions all over the world are starting to get on board to provide the coming generation of designers the required skills. Specifically, when considering and comparing plastic design training in United States and the United Kingdom several observations will be made that are interesting particularly with respect to the increasing importance placed on rotomoulding and the need to innovate.

In both regions, universities/technical schools acknowledge the changing design environment of plastics where sustainability and high-tech manufacturing are in the fore front. Specialized courses in polymer engineering and design that emphasize real-life application through hands-on case studies are offered at institutions in the US including the University of Massachusetts Lowell and one in Penn State Behrend. UK universities such as Brunel University London and Manchester Metropolitan University are on the frontline too, not only offering students an insight into the latest manufacturing processes, but also introducing industry partnerships.

Among the most important recent trends in plastic design education is the trend toward giving more attention to rotomoulding, or rotational moulding. This is a multifunctional manufacturing system used to make hollow plastic components that are both sturdy and immensely durable, hence making it an ideal system in all applications such as water tanks and playground components. In the US, as well as the UK, both industry representatives and instructors appreciate the value of introducing the principles of rotomoulding to the curriculum to make sure that students will be prepared to meet the changing requirements of the modern markets. An example of a company that has been able to achieve this through the use of advanced rotomoulding applications in order to both fuel product innovation as well as stay cost-effective and environmentally friendly, can be seen in the case of companies like Granger Plastics in the US.

The US distinguishes itself in this sphere by having a well-developed web of rotomoulding producers who cooperate with educational institutions. Such collaborations allow the students to gain experience on real problems in designing, sourcing and material selection and optimization of production. In the meantime, the UK is also following the trend of the interrelation of traditional design skills and new technologies, including digital prototyping and sustainable material research, which preconditions students acquiring comprehensive knowledge in plastic product developments.

This notwithstanding the regional differences, common challenges in the two countries relate to reducing impact on environment and supporting emerging industry standards. Consequently, sustainability education has been incorporated in plastic design courses on both sides of the Atlantic including the focus on recycling, effective use of material and groundbreaking moulding methods such as rotomoulding that minimise waste material.

In the future, international synergy in plastic design education is further bound to gain pace as countries have common agendas on innovation and sustainability. Through the exchange of experience on what works best, the US and UK can foster the new generation of designers who are well-informed about the latest manufacturing procedures such as rotomoulding and are determined to come up with the high-performance plastic designs that have fewer negative impacts on the natural environment.

Granger Plastics is one of the companies who act as models in this changing environment and their example can guide the teachers and their students to imagine how this process could change the future of design.