Architecture for Humanity

My heroes. [Thanks to IIAD for creating this video that gives so much insight on their 2010 Pioneers in Design Award winner, Architecture for Humanity.]

Illumi-Charger

I admit, I’m guilty of it.  I leave my laptop, iPhone and other gadget chargers synced into the wall at ALL times.   I know I’m wasting energy, it’s just so darn convenient!  Well, hopefully we can say good by to those phantom electric charges with the clever new Illumi-Charger.  The charger uses solar power [...]

Tulane City Center

Since Katrina there has been an influx of creative minds and generous donations to the city of New Orleans.  The Tulane School of Architecture has utilized the countries re-kindled love of their hometown to finance several design build projects.  With encouragement and support from the faculty, these projects are led and executed by students at [...]

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver is determined to transform the way we feed our children!  Such a powerful and needed mission, Oliver was recently awarded the TED prize for his work and gave the above presentation of his ‘One Wish to Change the World.’ What is his wish exactly: “I wish for your help to create a strong, [...]

Delivered in Beta

This video provides a wonderful commentary on working collaboratively and releasing our ideas/concepts/and prototypes to the people who need them before they are perfect– because they never are. Working in this way reminds me immediately of the innovative work produced by International Design Clinic.  Created by groups of students and professionals, projects executed by the [...]

Trash Talk

I’m on the downtown improvement board where I live and trying to encourage some sustainable decisions that will make living green just a little easier.  One pretty obvious idea: make recycling accessible to everyone!  It makes me cringe to see the large public cans overflowing with cardboard, paper, and water bottles.  So we just need [...]

Moving Windmills: The William Kamkwamba Story

If you are ever stuck thinking that you don’t have the tools or resources to be innovative, think again!   At the age of 14, Malawian William Kamkwamba Malawan created a functioning wind turbine after merely seeing an image of one!  Inspired by the dream of providing his family with electricity and a water pump, William’s [...]

Quote to Keep on Keeping on

“If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you aren’t doing anything very innovative.” Woody Allen

Two Thousand Zen

I’m feeling good about this new decade we’re getting started.  Really good.  The onset of each new year provides us with an oportunity to step back for a moment, to reflect on where we find ourselves.  A moment to give thanks for where we are and establish goals to get us where we would like [...]

Fun Can Change the World

My heart swells a little each time I watch the above videos from the Fun Theory.  Simple, yet well produced, each of the Fun Theory projects realizes great success.  Their theory has been proven: “that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better. Be it for yourself, [...]

Treehugger’s Wishlist

I fully intend to post my own green wish list, but in the meantime, Treehugger’s “2009 Gift Guide: Have a Slow Holiday” is a great head start!  With 12 categories and over 100 gifts you can pinpoint every person on your list with a meaningful green gift!  A few of my favorites on the list: [...]

The ‘Thank You’ Project

The optimist in us would like to find something positive in every day.  But as we all know, some days our inner optimist is quite challenged with this task. We’re busy!  We’re working hard!  And sometimes we simply forget to be grateful for the opportunities that create this stress and the goodness that eventually follows. [...]

How Green is your Facebook?

It’s no surprise that we use up quite a bit of energy, both physically and electronically, on our social networking!  Good thing the helpful leaders at Facebook have taken a stance and are helping ease the carbon footprint of our addiction with their new offices!  Their new digs located in Palo Alto owe their innovative [...]

Blog Action Day!

Are you celebrating?!  Have you joined?  Today is Blog Action Day and we here at Innovate are partaking in the festivities (kind of).  Blog Action Day was founded in 2007 by Collis & Cyan Ta’eed.  The concept behind the ‘event’ is to have bloggers commit to dedicating one day of their blog to recognize an [...]

The 3/50 Project

Their concept is simple and the numbers that back up their cause are staggering.  The 3/50 project is an organization focused on saving the wonderful mom-and-pop stores throughout the country.  I often see small stores that I appreciated close their doors and comfort myself by thinking, ‘Well, I can’t keep them all in business on [...]