Green Day

I nearly forgot about St. Patty today! It wasn’t until I walked down to the corner store an hour ago that I realized it… when I saw a troupe of jolly (Re:  tipsy) spring breakers all sporting kelly green T-shirts and various other green accessories.  SO… a little list of “green” green things in honor [...]

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 [...]

Mud Graffiti

While listening to NPR recently, I caught the end of an interview with Jesse Graves, a sort of environmental street artist based in Wisconsin.  Graves works with mud the way El&Abe design with live moss–combining organic elements with the tradition of graffiti. He shuns the more common medium of toxic spray paint for mud “because [...]

Ross Lovegrove

Ross Lovegrove is sui generis in the world of designers.  His idiosyncratic approach to product design is organically breathtaking– fluid in appearance, and revolutionary in composition.  He describes himself as “an evolutionary biologist, more than a designer.”  This quote coming from one of the few sources I could find information on this incredible innovator, in [...]

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: [...]

Etsy – Handmade Fabulousness

“Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.  Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice:  Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.” Oh my Etsy, Oh my dream! If you have been looking for a place to find fabulous original and [...]

Living Furniture?

No, not livingroom furniture (though it is that too), furniture that is alive!  Some brilliant, inventive concepts from a couple of young designers and an out-of-the-box duo from Australia… read on! The Bean Screen, created by Judy Hoysak of Philidelphia, is basically a long rectangular planter with a frame built up around it.  The planter [...]

Sister Corita’s Rules

I just stumbled upon the fabulous Sister Corita’s art department rules.  For me, this one print sums up her inspiring life and determination to thrive daily.  Great ‘rules’ for every designer.

Bilbao Jardín

The city of Bilbao, Spain became a house hold name associated with design after the completion of Frank Gehry’s innovative museum.  Since then, the local government has continued to support creative works that enhance the city.  In 2007 the city government announced BilbaoJardín, a competition to design gardens of up to 80 square meters (about [...]

Ton’s of Food! (Literally)

So you might be saying to yourself, “Wait a minute! I thought TWO people contributed to this blog.”  or you probably didn’t notice at all, but I had to have an excuse to bring in this minor self promotion.  A few weeks back we introduced the national event hosted by the American Institute of Architects [...]

Memorial to 9/11

“For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center.  Entitled “The Sphere”, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world-peace.  It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country.  The [...]

House Party for Hope

Kids With Cameras, the non-profit inspired by the Academy award-winning documentary ‘Born into Brothels’ has BIG plans!  For the past year Kids With Cameras has been persistently raising money to support their ‘Hope House’ (Asha Niwas).  This beautiful and sustainably designed facility is every bit as life-changing and inspirational as the name implies.  The Hope [...]

B Corp: good companies

“How do we tell the difference between a ‘good company’ and just good marketing?” So you’re a company who says you want to do good, go green and make a positive impact on the world.  How do we, the consumers, know you’re telling the truth?  Well, if you are a certified B Corporation, through the [...]