Hasta La Ideas

Design is the Problem: The Future of Design Must Be Sustainable, by Nathan Shedroff has just been published by Rosenfeld Media, and is likely to become one of the most important books for designers on the subject of design, design practice, and sustainability. Allan Chochinov over at Core77 recently interviewed the author discuss the new book. It’s well worth a look.

There’s nothing inherently off-putting about sustainability at all. I challenge you to find someone who is “in favor” of purposely ruining the future. The problem is in helping people become aware of their impacts and connecting their perfectly adequate values to the effects their activities have.

We can’t wait to get our hands on this one.

Just last week we posted about “boxed water is better”, an innovative concept to package water in cartons. We have to wonder if this new find of Aquapax’s packaging is what is to come for the plastic happy bottled water industry. Nonetheless, we’re quite smitten with Sun House’s quenching illustrations.

“Aquapax is all about making a positive change to the way we consume portable water. A responsible package and a carbon balanced footprint makes ecological sense.”

For more on their process and thinking behind the redesign you know what to do.

via Lovelypackage:

Amor de Madre designed all natural “UNCUT” felt shoes perfect for the space conscious traveler. With airlines tacking on fees for extra luggage you may find yourself keeping your shoes at home and packing your felt slippers. Don’t forget to bring your scissors though.

Reverse Graffiti is a new marketing trend implemented by companies such as IBM, GreenWorks, and now, SEPTA. In partnership with the esteemed Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia, Philly’s grimiest sidewalks will be put to good use with this new effort as part of SEPTA’s new “Go Green” campaign.

As seen above, this reverse graffiti technique literally powerwashes dirt off of the sidewalks and walls while leaving an imprint of a SEPTA Green message and a corresponding Green design. For more on SEPTA’s “Go Green” campaign, you know the routine.

To get informed on matters of Reverse Graffiti and its origin, check this out.

Massive shout out to Visual Culturist Chris Gato for the goods.

Related Posts:
Clean Graffiti
Mural Capital of the World

Allan Chochinov, the editor in chief of Core77 presents his ten steps to sustainable design during the Compostmodern design event in San Francisco that went down a few days ago. For a more detailed write-up of the 10 steps go here.

1. Acknowledge the privilege you have as a designer.
2. Use the word “consequence”.
3. Question authority.
4. Surround yourself with the awesomest people you can.
5. Don’t play fair.
6. Be intentionally dumb.
7. Redistribute – then reduce, reuse, and recycle.
8. Broaden your market.
9. Indulge in discursive design.
10. Talk to anyone who will listen.

Related Posts:
To Design or Not to Design