“Clever work wins awards; smart work wins clients.” – Eric Karjuouto, founder, SmashLab I recently had the distinct pleasure to judge two competitions that focused on printed and digital design that was moving towards sustainability and social responsibility. As the entries were stirring, I was, at times, a bit... read more →
Sep
07
Aug
09
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. —The Brundtland Report, 1987 This is the most widely accepted definition of sustainability. It is attributed to Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and Chairperson of the World Commission... read more →
Aug
07
I have developed a list of twenty one key factors for analyzing green claims, for use by my graphic design students at New Mexico State University. The list’s purpose is to help them develop sensitivity to the subject in order to produce more critical work. The impetus for creating it... read more →
Jul
28
This is the third in three installments of an in-depth look at the future of design education... the designer as social entrepreneur. The idea of being an entrepreneur for many causes anxiety when faced with the realities of affording health insurance, generating enough income, and saving for retirement. Others... read more →
Jul
24
This is the second in three installments of an in-depth look at the future of design education... the designer as social entrepreneur. Communication Design students graduate from universities across North America annually most of the time well suited to enter into the workforce and compete in the nuanced world of... read more →
Jul
13
F. Scott Fitzgerald said "What we must decide is perhaps how we are valuable, rather than how valuable we are." Can value can be measured? Can worth be self-assessed? Are we valuable by our contributions to the greater good? If so, how can I play a role, particularly in my... read more →
May
13
This is the first in three installments of an in-depth look at the future of design education... the designer as social entrepreneur. J. Gregory Dees (Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship) wrote in his introduction to his 1998 landmark article The Meaning of Entrepreneurship (PDF):... read more →
Apr
22
A few weeks ago (April 2-3, 2011) the AIGA Chicago Chapter held their first ever event which tasked designers to work side-by-side with with a client (Growing Home) to collaboratively solve their strategic needs. This sold-out two-day event embraced the idea of Co-Design. Co-Design (or Collaborative Design) argues that the... read more →
Apr
17
I had the distinct pleasure this past Thursday (April 14, 2011) to speak at the AIGA Wisconsin's "Sustainable Design Thinking" event. Modern's Species' Gage Mitchell was the facilitator for me getting up to Madison from Champaign, IL. Gage and his wife Jennifer, and Brittany Barry were amazing hosts and I look... read more →
Mar
15
Yesterday I was awarded a $22,500 grant from the University of Illinois Student Sustainability Committee to investigate a more sustainable means of making paper from agri-fiber and agri-fiber waste. I feel it would be extremely remiss for me not to say that I’m beyond excited.. Below is the first two pages... read more →