Compostmodern 08
Compostmodern 08
Sustainability promises to be one of the defining issues of our time, one with profound affects on our personal and professional lives.
For designers, it represents unique challenges as well as tremendous potential - nothing less than an opportunity to redesign how the world works.
Come join us for a day of brilliant ideas, practical solutions, drama, inspiration, eye candy and some tough questions as we explore design's role in transitioning to a sustainable society.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Academy of Art University Morgan Auditorium
491 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
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The topic of each workshop was on the push for sustainable design practices in the design community (graphic designers, product designers, industrial designers, etc.). This means taking a look at what materials we use, how much waste we make in the process, the life cycle of what we produce, creating a list of criteria for green practices, changing the way we think about what constitutes "good design."
As designers we have a huge impact on the products people use because well, we make it. So some level of responsibility is on us to create good design.
The speakers did not stop at pointing out the need for change, to prevent "green-washing," but also presented case studies showing that even large corporations like Wal-mart (symbol of all things corporate evil) were making giant leaps in environmental initiatives. And honestly, it needs to start with those large companies who wield so much influence on the market. Personal changes in daily lifestyles also help.
I felt like I learned a lot from the experience and I met a lot of great people who are interested in the sustainability movement. I'm thinking of joining The Designers Accord.