1/6/14

Moving Design Education Forward

Design thinking rather than design

Reject the “what?” and ask “why?”
Design is an active process, not a conclusion. Design can provide innovative and enabling alternatives, not just the creation of artifacts. Create a learning environment where thinking-through is celebrated over looking-at. Tackle questions regarding how we should ultimately live, rather than how we can merely alter our present way of living. Highlight the relationship of the designer to the ideal behavioral outcomes of products, rather than the products themselves. Stress the value of synthesizing new ideas on the fly, and support safety in experimentation. Encourage strategic thinking in design, where the designer’s responsibility goes beyond form and function, to value and viability.
–Designer's Accord http://edutoolkit.designersaccord.org

1/22/13

BEFORE YOU DESIGN, SPECIFY OR BUY ANYTHING

This short list of 11 questions by Chris Hacker, leader of the Global Strategic Design Office of Johnson and Johnson is an excellent place to begin the design process.

1. Do we need it? Can we live without it?
2. Is the project designed to minimize waste?
3. Can it be smaller, lighter or made from fewer materials?
4. Is it designed to be durable or multi-functional?
5. Does it use renewable resources?
6. Is reuse practical and encouraged?
7. Are the product and packaging refillable, recyclable, or repairable?
8. Is it made with post-consumer recycled or reclaimed materials and how much?
9. Are the materials available in a less toxic form? Can it be made with less toxic materials?
10. Is it available from a socially and environmentally responsible company
11. Is it made locally?

To learn more about Chris Hacker, view this short video:

Chris Hacker: Creating sustainable consumer experiences through design

1/5/13

SUSTAINABILITY DEFINED

Sustainability can be defined in a variety of ways.

Dictionary.com explains it this way:
SUSTAINABILITY
noun
1.
the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld, or confirmed.
2.
Environmental Science. the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance: The committee is developing sustainability standards for products that use energy.
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The Living Principles explains it this way:
SUSTAINABILITY:
Meeting the economic, ecological and social needs of the day without impairing the chances or development of future generations. (UN-Conference, Rio de Janeiro, 1992)
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The NaturalStep is a "not-for-profit organization dedicated to education, advisory work and research in sustainable development." Utilizing the science of sustainability, The Natural Step helps organizations apply this framework to their business model. This short video explains Sustainability from their point of view:
The Natural Step / Sustainability explained
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Now read this:
Do we need the S word? Yes, for many reasons.

RAY ANDERSON / INTERFACE

Ray Anderson was the founder (1973) and chairman of Interface Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers of carpet tile. He began his quest to become a more environmentally responsible business owner in 1994 after reading the book The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken. Since that pivotal point Ray & Interface began a journey in reforming their manufacturing processes, working towards "Mission Zero". More specifically, Interface's goal is to eliminate any negative impact the company may have on the environment by 2020. Interface is more than 50% towards achieving that goal.

Ray Anderson's Turning Point on Cradle to Grave Manufacturing
 
Ray died in 2011 and but his legacy lives on. The Ray C Anderson Foundation was set up to continue to spread the word of his sustainable vision.

Ray C Anderson Foundation