In chapters 1 - 8 Heskett sets out to explain, in brief, the history of design. Then goes on to explain the different applications to which design is utilized. In chapter 9 Heskett explains the context to which design is used. He breaks down the three contexts in this order. Design as an organization, design as a business practice and design as it is used in governmental bodies.
The problem, Heskett explains, with design organizations is the diverse roles in the design field. Design is such a broad term and industry it is difficult to create an organization that would embody all aspects of design. There are, however, organizations that focus on the singular aspects in design. The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), for example is an organization devoted to design in the field of graphics.
Another problem in talking about design organizations is the level at which design functions in our society. In some cases design is a separate function in a company or can be part of the core process. Heskett uses IBM as an example of a company that has, for years, maintained direct control over the design of their products. In contrast the Japanese company Matsushita gives this control to specific divisions within the company.
Heskett next turns his attention to companies using several examples of how companies utilize design. Mercedes sets long term design goals, in that, all their cars should maintain a universal look to be recognizable from generation to generation, where as, companies such as Chrysler continuously redesigns their automobiles based on market trends.
Heskett gives two good examples of different roles design has played in companies. Using Sony and Chrysler he explains how the former has always maintained a standard in the design of their products and how the latter only utilized design as a response to a crisis. In the 1990's Chrysler turned to It's Vice-President for design, Tom Gale and thus brought the role of design into the decision making process, which helped turn the company around.
In the role of design in government Heskett talks about how systems in government can benefit from the design process. He talks about mercantilism, which is the act of promoting exports from a country and restricting imports. In doing so a country can bring in more capital than it spends. The problem though is now countries are in direct competition with each other. Design again can be utilized to promote an advantage over other countries. Heskett uses France, which is the leader in luxury products, as an example of this promotion.
Many countries have developed a design policy or organization to help in decision making. In the UK after World War II, the government developed the Design Council as a way to promote exports. Heskett explains, however, this was a complete failure, in that, two decades later the UK went into deficit in regards to trade. In other countries similar organizations have been successful. In the Netherlands the Design Institute has, as Heskett says, "has become one of the most dynamic focal points anywhere for the debate and initiatives about the role of design in modern society."
One interesting point Heskett makes in chapter 9 is how the United States doesn't have, nor, see any value in such design organizations. Heskett says, "The reasons for this situation are complex, but in part lie in an economic mindset that regards design as something superficial." After World War II, however, Japan utilized such design organizations during its reconstruction, proving the value such organizations have in policy making.
In chapter 10 Heskett talks about the future of design. One of the overall themes of our Design 200 class has been about the role of design, not as a trade but as a process. Heskett talks about this very idea in Chapter 10. With the role of design becoming more vital to rethinking how systems are set up, the role of the designer is changing. There will always be a need for a designer to produce tangible products or communications but, the process used by designers can be used to design better schools for poor communities. These processes are being used today in third world countries where designers are coming up with new and innovative ways to solve basic problems, and thus making health care, education and basic needs more accessible
Heskett finishes out chapter 10 by posing a question and says, "In considering the role of design in the future, therefore, a major question requiring an answer is whether designers will be merely technocrats, devoting their skills to the highest commercial bidder without consideration of the ends they serve. Or is there instead a dimension of social and environmental purpose requiring acknowledgement in their work." This is the real question. What role will design play in the future?
I think, overall, this book was a great way to open up the discussion of what design is. It makes a very good argument as to why design is so misunderstood in our society, the role that design takes and the role that design should play. I really enjoyed reading this book and can see why it was assigned to us.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
J09 - Process Documentation
For the Coleman for the Home assignment our group, which was comprised of Sarah H., Mike F. and Ricardo R. developed the induction cooktop and table. Our team worked really well with each other. We listened to each others feedback and came up with great ideas. There was no ego to contend with and we all contributed to all parts of the project. During the brainstorming phase we developed the basic idea for the table. It was interesting to see the different ideas for the table take shape and the decisions we made regarding the table. We originally had the idea to make the cooktop just flip over but, we had concerns about how the wiring would work so in the end we chose to have a storage compartment for it. We researched the different materials Coleman uses in their products and tried to stick closely to those materials.
Mike Freeze spearheaded the research for the different cooktops and the safety issues and concerns involved with each, Sarah came up with the table idea as a whole and she and Mike built the presentation. Ricardo worked on the kiosk which I think was a great design and concept. We all sketched ideas for the table and it quickly took shape. We met outside of class to give us extra time to work on the project which shows how excited we were about our product. I was greatly impresses by how fluidly we worked as a group and how the project seemed to fall into place. I think, overall, our group, product and presentation were very professionally put together and am happy I had the chance to work with Sarah, Mike and Ricardo.
Personal Contribution
For my personal contributions I worked on the visuals. Having experience using Photoshop and Illustrator I felt my strength in the group would be in that aspect of the project. As we developed our ideas I would make visuals to convey what we wanted to show in our product. We wanted to build a product that would be convenient but, something that people would actually buy. So for my part I wanted our visuals to reflect the product in use. For the logo I wanted to keep some parts of the Coleman logo but decided that since the logo wouldn't, necessarily, appear on the product like the original Coleman logo and products, it could be more elegant and fitting of a home product.
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| Early Concepts for the logo using the original Coleman logo. |
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| The logo develops along with the new name. |
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| early and later sketches. Notice how we went through several possible shapes before | settleing on this one |
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| once the shape and concept were settled on our table really took shape. |
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| Package visuals showing the table in use. We wanted to show a products people would want to buy. |
CR05
The last two classes in Design 200 we have been presenting our "Coleman for the Home" final projects. On Monday groups 2 through 7 presented. The products from these groups were interesting. I especially liked the camp bed idea and more specifically the package design for it. The groups presented well and really kept us interested. On Wednesday groups 8 through A presented, which was the day my group presented. Outside of repeatedly going over my portion of our presentation in my head, I thought these groups presentations were good as well. The Coleman for the Home project was a fun way to get a sense of working in a group and the presentations were a great way to see how others interpreted the scope of the project.
I think, in all, the assignment was successful. Everyone seemed to dig in and appeared to be energetic about the project. I am also glad we had the chance to grade our peers. When working in our groups, I'm sure we all felt our product was the best, this peer evaluation was a good way to get and give feedback on our products.
The Coleman for the Home assignment was a great way to finish the quarter. After learning about design processes, legal issues and the different disciplines of design all quarter, this assignment was a great way for us to show how well we paid attention. Giving the presentations in the last two classes was a very fulfilling way to end this class and see how far we've come from that first class where we had to introduce each other. That seems so long ago.
I think, in all, the assignment was successful. Everyone seemed to dig in and appeared to be energetic about the project. I am also glad we had the chance to grade our peers. When working in our groups, I'm sure we all felt our product was the best, this peer evaluation was a good way to get and give feedback on our products.
The Coleman for the Home assignment was a great way to finish the quarter. After learning about design processes, legal issues and the different disciplines of design all quarter, this assignment was a great way for us to show how well we paid attention. Giving the presentations in the last two classes was a very fulfilling way to end this class and see how far we've come from that first class where we had to introduce each other. That seems so long ago.
J10 Final Thoughts
My thoughts on D200
My personal experiences in design 200 were really helpful to me as I start the design program. First, it was kind of a refresher course to help me remember things I've learned in the past. Touching on design history, design processes and the different disciplines of design, design 200 helped me get a sense of what to expect in further design classes. Second, design 200 gave me the opportunity to get a feel for working in groups. And third, this class gave me the reassurance that visual communications is what I want to major in.
One of the greatest aspects of this class was the hands on way it was taught. Where most lecture classes can become uninteresting after a while, design 200 kept me interested. I learned much more from this class because I was allowed to interpret things on my own instead of sit and take notes which I would then be tested on. The blog, which we all set up at the beginning of class in March, was a great way to reflect on what we learned throughout the quarter plus, gave us the opportunity to see what our classmates were getting from the class.
The message I take away from d200 and the point, I think, of this class as a whole is to not think of design in the sense of creating aesthetically pleasing products or environments but, to think of design as a way to solve problems. In one of our first lectures we were introduced to the concept of design thinking, a way of looking at a problem and solving it using the same process as when designing. Of course design is about making products, visuals and environments but, to apply the design process to other problems, we can start to make possible what was once impossible.
My personal experiences in design 200 were really helpful to me as I start the design program. First, it was kind of a refresher course to help me remember things I've learned in the past. Touching on design history, design processes and the different disciplines of design, design 200 helped me get a sense of what to expect in further design classes. Second, design 200 gave me the opportunity to get a feel for working in groups. And third, this class gave me the reassurance that visual communications is what I want to major in.
One of the greatest aspects of this class was the hands on way it was taught. Where most lecture classes can become uninteresting after a while, design 200 kept me interested. I learned much more from this class because I was allowed to interpret things on my own instead of sit and take notes which I would then be tested on. The blog, which we all set up at the beginning of class in March, was a great way to reflect on what we learned throughout the quarter plus, gave us the opportunity to see what our classmates were getting from the class.
The message I take away from d200 and the point, I think, of this class as a whole is to not think of design in the sense of creating aesthetically pleasing products or environments but, to think of design as a way to solve problems. In one of our first lectures we were introduced to the concept of design thinking, a way of looking at a problem and solving it using the same process as when designing. Of course design is about making products, visuals and environments but, to apply the design process to other problems, we can start to make possible what was once impossible.
Monday, May 23, 2011
CR04
In class 13 we were given our final assignment for the quarter. The Colman for the home assignment is a group design project. The mission is to design a hypothetical product for Coleman, a company whose sole focus is outdoor and camping products. Our job is to design a product that helps Coleman break into the home goods market. The product must be something inspired by Coleman's style. Along with the product the groups also have to design packaging for the product and a kiosk for either in-store display or trade shows.
Our group started the process by listing everything we thought could describe Coleman. We listed their products and who their target consumer is. After that we started a list of Coleman products that could easily be translated into home products and how to convert them.
The next three classes were work sessions for the Coleman project. Our group's project started focusing on a bed/storage unit for college kids. Through our research we determined Coleman was known for products that were space saving. When outdoors or camping people need to pack light and compact. Coleman designs products that compact well but remain light and easy to carry. With this in mind we thought of problems people in the home have and how a Coleman product could help this.
In our next work session we had a break through and scrapped our previous product. The new product that we've been developing in the subsequent class has all the elements of a Coleman product but designed for in home use.
All in all the last four classes have been really beneficial for the design majors. We have had the opportunity to dig in and get a sense of how to work in a group on a project. From brainstorming to bouncing Ideas off one another I think our group has built a great rapport with each other. We look forward to presenting our product which I think we are all proud of.
Our group started the process by listing everything we thought could describe Coleman. We listed their products and who their target consumer is. After that we started a list of Coleman products that could easily be translated into home products and how to convert them.
The next three classes were work sessions for the Coleman project. Our group's project started focusing on a bed/storage unit for college kids. Through our research we determined Coleman was known for products that were space saving. When outdoors or camping people need to pack light and compact. Coleman designs products that compact well but remain light and easy to carry. With this in mind we thought of problems people in the home have and how a Coleman product could help this.
In our next work session we had a break through and scrapped our previous product. The new product that we've been developing in the subsequent class has all the elements of a Coleman product but designed for in home use.
All in all the last four classes have been really beneficial for the design majors. We have had the opportunity to dig in and get a sense of how to work in a group on a project. From brainstorming to bouncing Ideas off one another I think our group has built a great rapport with each other. We look forward to presenting our product which I think we are all proud of.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
J08 Media Reviews
Design Like You Give A Damn
Design like you give a damn is a subject I think more people should become interested in. What got me excited about this subject were two videos we watched in class. In both a designer developed a product that could be made cheaply and solves a specific problem. In the first the designer developed a water bottle/filter that can filter impurities and make even rainwater drinkable. The second the designer developed a cheap way to keep premature babies, with no access to incubators, warm. Giving the babies a fighting chance to survive. Both of these videos show an unselfish way to look at the problems in our world and say how can I help. With natural disasters happening almost daily and people being displaced from their homes, there has never been a greater need for designers to solve some important problems in this world. It's not just with natural disasters though. The processes used in design thinking can be applied to just about everything. From education to simple needs for the poor, designers have an opportunity to show they are not only about making things esthetically pleasing and functional but also about solving real problems. Design like you give a damn is a call to action to stop ignoring the problems in our world and think about ways to fix them.
When the graffiti artist TEMPT was stricken with ALS a once energetic young kid became paralyzed from head to toe. The only function left to him was the ability to blink. The disease ALS, commonly known as "locked in" disease, takes all function from the person leaving them trapped in their body only to sit there and watch as the world goes on without them. Mick Ebeling had an Idea, which started from a problem. The problem was no cheap and accessible means of communication between TEMPT and his family. Ebeling gathered programmers, hackers and designers together and created a device that, not only gave TEMPT the ability to speak but let him draw again.
Many of the problems in our world begin with a lack of education. In third world countries, many children don't have access to education but want to learn. In the United States however, children have access to education but don't want to learn. So what is the problem? Is it our teachers or should we blame the parents? The answer may be neither. Our children are so over stimulated from the moment they open their eyes. Teachers are competing with video games, mp3 players, computers and television for our children's attention. Ali Carr-Chellman discusses the problems of education in regards to boys who are more stimulated with video games than girls. Education in our country is a huge problem and although not tangible, re-thinking broken systems can be another way to show we give a damn.
Many problems that could use design solutions begin with disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes have become an all too common reality for many in this world. When disasters take away everything there comes an immediate need for food, water and shelter. In 2004 a tsunami hit south eastern India and in an instance wiped away almost everything for small villagers. An India born, American trained architect saw an opportunity to make a difference. Purnima McCutcheon left her life and career in the United States and moved to India to help villagers rebuild their village. As shown in the PBS series Frontline, McCutcheon not only helped rebuild the village but also helped the village pick up and start again. You can read more about Purnima McCutcheon and her time in India by clicking on either link in the paragraph.
In 1999 architect Cameron Sinclair had an Idea to develop cheap housing for returning refugees in Kosavo. He and Kate Stohr started Architecture for Humanity and put out a call for innovative designs for the housing. To their surprise they received hundreds of designs. Since then Architecture for Humanity has worked in thirty six countries on projects including housing for victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 they published a book titled Design Like You Give a Damn Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crisis. The book highlights projects from all over the world that use innovative solutions to improve living conditions. Their website: Architecture for Humanity is a great resource for learning about these innovative projects.
The opening paragraph in the "about" section of the Curry Stone Design Prize website sums up perfectly the subject of design like you give a damn. It says, "The Curry Stone Design Prize was created in the belief that designers can be an instrumental force for improving people’s lives and the state of the world." The Curry Stone Design Prize was developed to recognize the talents of designers that use their skills to better the lives of people. Their website shows videos of current and past recipients of the award and their projects. http://currystonedesignprize.com/
There are many problems in the world that need attention. We shouldn't ignore these problems because they don't happen in our backyard. Someday we may be in need of help. Design Like You Give a Damn is a great motto it cuts right to the point. We need to design like we care.
Design like you give a damn is a subject I think more people should become interested in. What got me excited about this subject were two videos we watched in class. In both a designer developed a product that could be made cheaply and solves a specific problem. In the first the designer developed a water bottle/filter that can filter impurities and make even rainwater drinkable. The second the designer developed a cheap way to keep premature babies, with no access to incubators, warm. Giving the babies a fighting chance to survive. Both of these videos show an unselfish way to look at the problems in our world and say how can I help. With natural disasters happening almost daily and people being displaced from their homes, there has never been a greater need for designers to solve some important problems in this world. It's not just with natural disasters though. The processes used in design thinking can be applied to just about everything. From education to simple needs for the poor, designers have an opportunity to show they are not only about making things esthetically pleasing and functional but also about solving real problems. Design like you give a damn is a call to action to stop ignoring the problems in our world and think about ways to fix them.
No Problem Too Small
When the graffiti artist TEMPT was stricken with ALS a once energetic young kid became paralyzed from head to toe. The only function left to him was the ability to blink. The disease ALS, commonly known as "locked in" disease, takes all function from the person leaving them trapped in their body only to sit there and watch as the world goes on without them. Mick Ebeling had an Idea, which started from a problem. The problem was no cheap and accessible means of communication between TEMPT and his family. Ebeling gathered programmers, hackers and designers together and created a device that, not only gave TEMPT the ability to speak but let him draw again.
No Problem Too Big
Many of the problems in our world begin with a lack of education. In third world countries, many children don't have access to education but want to learn. In the United States however, children have access to education but don't want to learn. So what is the problem? Is it our teachers or should we blame the parents? The answer may be neither. Our children are so over stimulated from the moment they open their eyes. Teachers are competing with video games, mp3 players, computers and television for our children's attention. Ali Carr-Chellman discusses the problems of education in regards to boys who are more stimulated with video games than girls. Education in our country is a huge problem and although not tangible, re-thinking broken systems can be another way to show we give a damn.
No Problem Too Far Away
Many problems that could use design solutions begin with disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes have become an all too common reality for many in this world. When disasters take away everything there comes an immediate need for food, water and shelter. In 2004 a tsunami hit south eastern India and in an instance wiped away almost everything for small villagers. An India born, American trained architect saw an opportunity to make a difference. Purnima McCutcheon left her life and career in the United States and moved to India to help villagers rebuild their village. As shown in the PBS series Frontline, McCutcheon not only helped rebuild the village but also helped the village pick up and start again. You can read more about Purnima McCutcheon and her time in India by clicking on either link in the paragraph.
Where It All Began
In 1999 architect Cameron Sinclair had an Idea to develop cheap housing for returning refugees in Kosavo. He and Kate Stohr started Architecture for Humanity and put out a call for innovative designs for the housing. To their surprise they received hundreds of designs. Since then Architecture for Humanity has worked in thirty six countries on projects including housing for victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 they published a book titled Design Like You Give a Damn Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crisis. The book highlights projects from all over the world that use innovative solutions to improve living conditions. Their website: Architecture for Humanity is a great resource for learning about these innovative projects.
Where It Is Going
The opening paragraph in the "about" section of the Curry Stone Design Prize website sums up perfectly the subject of design like you give a damn. It says, "The Curry Stone Design Prize was created in the belief that designers can be an instrumental force for improving people’s lives and the state of the world." The Curry Stone Design Prize was developed to recognize the talents of designers that use their skills to better the lives of people. Their website shows videos of current and past recipients of the award and their projects. http://currystonedesignprize.com/
There are many problems in the world that need attention. We shouldn't ignore these problems because they don't happen in our backyard. Someday we may be in need of help. Design Like You Give a Damn is a great motto it cuts right to the point. We need to design like we care.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
RR03 - Cradle to Cradle
The ideas William McDonough and Michael Braungart pose in Cradle to Cradle are revolutionary to say the least. The book is kind of a layout for a whole new way of thinking about human interaction with nature and the carbon footprint we leave. Using nature as the blueprint, McDonough and Braungart observe how insects, animals and plants have been living together in harmony since the beginning of time. Humans on the other hand have been rapidly depleting our resources, poisoning our land and water and destroying our environment all in the name of advancement and consumerism. The book sets out to explain how we can learn to live in harmony with our surroundings, taking our cradle to grave mentality and turning it into a cradle to cradle mentality.
Chapter one focuses on how we've come to our cradle to grave way of thinking. The chapter starts by explaining how the Industrial Revolution would look if someone were to design it today. It talks about how that design would include all the waste the Industrial revolution has produced and how that may look on paper. It goes on to explain that the people responsible for the Industrial Revolution didn't have these intentions in mind but that all the waste was an unfortunate by product. Chapter one also explains how we are considered consumers but how we don't actually consume things. Humans use products and then throw them in a fake "away". The chapter explains that we as humans don't actually throw thing away because there is no away. Trash goes somewhere. "Away" is usually a landfill which continually get bigger and bigger until there is a need for a new landfill. "Away" can also be an incinerator which pollutes the air with toxic chemicals. Some things are so toxic they can't be incinerated or thrown in a landfill so they have to be buried, basically locked away, so as not to harm people. one of the most interesting subjects in chapter one is the idea of how we rip out native vegetation and replace it with vegetation that is not native which then needs to be fertilized in order to grow. The problem is these fertilizers run off into our water supplies, wetlands, lakes and streams. The reason I found this interesting is, I worked for a landscaping company whose work consisted, mainly of new built subdivisions. It always amazed me that companies were tearing down trees, woodlands or farmlands to pop up these cookie cutter homes and then we would come in and replace the vegetation. Frank Lloyd Wright, who was a major environmentalist, said when asked why he chose to build a house into a hill as opposed to on it, that if he build the home on the hill you loose the hill. This kind of thinking draws many parallels with the ideas in Cradle to Cradle. With a little thinking we can build in a way where we don't have to strip away.
Chapter two deals with the idea of how being less bad, is not a solution. two really interesting points in chapter two deals with our over consumption. The first was from a 1973 book by Fritz Schumacher titled Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. In it Schumacher states, "The idea of unlimited economic growth, more and more until everybody is saturated with wealth, needs to be seriously questioned. The problem with unlimited growth is there are limited resources so the idea of unlimited growth is a fantasy. The second point is how recycling is just a band-aid to the problems of over consumption. This is the main theme of chapter two. Recycling is more popular that ever but the problem is that recycling doesn't actually recycle as much as it downcycles. Not all recycled products can be reused as the product if came from. Steel from car frames, for instance, when melted down cannot be used to make new car frames. The reason is because in order to melt down the steel other metals from the car are getting melted down as well. The Steel becomes weaker so now the metal has to be used for something else. eventually the steel will become unusable. The same goes with plastics and paper. There are only so many cycles these materials can go through before just ending up in the land fill. Even though recycling is not a bad idea, there needs to be better ideas of how to cut back on consumption and waste. One question chapter two made me think of when discussing the subject of commerce and companies that pollute. In the book they talk about monstrous hybrids. Companies are forced to comply to regulations to control pollution but these regulations are a one size fits all way of dealing with the problem. The question I pose is could this be one reason companies move factories to third world countries? Out side of the benefit of cheap labor, moving these companies to small countries gets the pollution off our shores and then companies don't have to deal with the regulations.
Eco-effectiveness is the subject of chapter three and they return to the subject of the book and the materials and design incorporated in it. In the introduction, the authors explain that the book is not a tree. The book was designed in a way so it can be completely recycled instead of downcycled. First the book is made from a non-toxic plastic which is sturdy enough to be reused as a book. The ink is a non-toxic in that can be removed with a non-toxic washing process. The glue holding the pages together is like wise, non-toxic. the book is also waterproof which would be doubly beneficial if you wanted to read the book at the beach. The book is a good example of eco
Chapter four deals with the problems of waste and how we can return our wastes into the earth as opposed to discarding them. The chapter explains we have had to develop synthesized fertilizers in order to grow crops. these fertilizers become runoff and pollute our waters. Our products are designed to be replaced. In our consumer culture companies depend on people continually buying products. For this reason products are designed to last just long enough for consumers to want a new one. The old products get discarded and become waste. The chapter talks about a products life cycle and how we can rethink the designs so the materials can be reused. I found this chapter interesting for two reasons one, the idea that we continually buy products only to replace them is one I find hard to understand. Even though I'm guilty of this I find it ridiculous. I'm an Apple fan but, every time Apple introduces a new ipod, people feel they need it, even though they may already have one. My current ipod is a second generation ipod. It still has a scroll wheel, a black and white screen and is big. It works, and so I don't feel I need to buy a new fancy touch screen one. Consumers do feel they have to replace it though and we throw the others away.
Chapter five starts with a great point about tearing down our natural surroundings only to be replaced with things that were never meant to be there. It goes on to discuss how we have to learn to live with all the diverse species surrounding us. This chapter reminded me of the bio-mimicry video we watched. In that video it is explained that species can live in harmony, even thrive off of each other, and we should use that as a blueprint in living in harmony with our surroundings. This chapter also revisited the problem of removing native vegetation only to be replaced with vegetation that was never meant to grow there so we artificially fertilize it, forcing it to grow. Once it does grow however, we then cut and prune it back essentially hindering the growth it has been forced to do.
The book finishes by explaining how to put eco-effectiveness into practice. One of the examples they use was when designing a factory for Herman-Miller William McDonough wanted to give the factory a feeling of being outdoors. They designed it with trees in the interior and skylights that would light the factory up like being outdoors. The employees in the factory were much happier and job performance reflected that. The chapter explains the five steps to eco-effectiveness. 1. get "free of" known culprits. Explaining that getting rid of harmful chemicals is the first step in becoming more eco-effective. 2. Follow informed personal preferences. The authors explained about how William sent lists to manufacturers whose products they were considering, wanting them to list everything that was used in the production of the product. Then making informed decisions based on the materials and processes involved in making them. 3. Creating a "passive positive" list. Now that the materials and processes have been categorized they could start to determine what materials would be toxic or contain toxic chemicals that could off gas into the air. 4. Activate the positive list. They explain this is where the idea of being less bad turns into being good, by using materials that are non-toxic, non polluting and can be completely recycled. Finally step 5. Reinvent. Using what they now know the designers can rethink the design in a way to be truly eco-effective.
The overall theme of Cradle to Cradle, is one of learning how to coexists with our environment. Humans for centuries have used up our resources without regenerating them. This book is a good first step into rethinking how we live, work, consume, dispose and regenerate our resources. William McDonough & Michael Braungart have given people a blueprint on how to be eco-effective. In our society of over consumption and waste, it is about time we start using it.
Chapter one focuses on how we've come to our cradle to grave way of thinking. The chapter starts by explaining how the Industrial Revolution would look if someone were to design it today. It talks about how that design would include all the waste the Industrial revolution has produced and how that may look on paper. It goes on to explain that the people responsible for the Industrial Revolution didn't have these intentions in mind but that all the waste was an unfortunate by product. Chapter one also explains how we are considered consumers but how we don't actually consume things. Humans use products and then throw them in a fake "away". The chapter explains that we as humans don't actually throw thing away because there is no away. Trash goes somewhere. "Away" is usually a landfill which continually get bigger and bigger until there is a need for a new landfill. "Away" can also be an incinerator which pollutes the air with toxic chemicals. Some things are so toxic they can't be incinerated or thrown in a landfill so they have to be buried, basically locked away, so as not to harm people. one of the most interesting subjects in chapter one is the idea of how we rip out native vegetation and replace it with vegetation that is not native which then needs to be fertilized in order to grow. The problem is these fertilizers run off into our water supplies, wetlands, lakes and streams. The reason I found this interesting is, I worked for a landscaping company whose work consisted, mainly of new built subdivisions. It always amazed me that companies were tearing down trees, woodlands or farmlands to pop up these cookie cutter homes and then we would come in and replace the vegetation. Frank Lloyd Wright, who was a major environmentalist, said when asked why he chose to build a house into a hill as opposed to on it, that if he build the home on the hill you loose the hill. This kind of thinking draws many parallels with the ideas in Cradle to Cradle. With a little thinking we can build in a way where we don't have to strip away.
Chapter two deals with the idea of how being less bad, is not a solution. two really interesting points in chapter two deals with our over consumption. The first was from a 1973 book by Fritz Schumacher titled Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. In it Schumacher states, "The idea of unlimited economic growth, more and more until everybody is saturated with wealth, needs to be seriously questioned. The problem with unlimited growth is there are limited resources so the idea of unlimited growth is a fantasy. The second point is how recycling is just a band-aid to the problems of over consumption. This is the main theme of chapter two. Recycling is more popular that ever but the problem is that recycling doesn't actually recycle as much as it downcycles. Not all recycled products can be reused as the product if came from. Steel from car frames, for instance, when melted down cannot be used to make new car frames. The reason is because in order to melt down the steel other metals from the car are getting melted down as well. The Steel becomes weaker so now the metal has to be used for something else. eventually the steel will become unusable. The same goes with plastics and paper. There are only so many cycles these materials can go through before just ending up in the land fill. Even though recycling is not a bad idea, there needs to be better ideas of how to cut back on consumption and waste. One question chapter two made me think of when discussing the subject of commerce and companies that pollute. In the book they talk about monstrous hybrids. Companies are forced to comply to regulations to control pollution but these regulations are a one size fits all way of dealing with the problem. The question I pose is could this be one reason companies move factories to third world countries? Out side of the benefit of cheap labor, moving these companies to small countries gets the pollution off our shores and then companies don't have to deal with the regulations.
Eco-effectiveness is the subject of chapter three and they return to the subject of the book and the materials and design incorporated in it. In the introduction, the authors explain that the book is not a tree. The book was designed in a way so it can be completely recycled instead of downcycled. First the book is made from a non-toxic plastic which is sturdy enough to be reused as a book. The ink is a non-toxic in that can be removed with a non-toxic washing process. The glue holding the pages together is like wise, non-toxic. the book is also waterproof which would be doubly beneficial if you wanted to read the book at the beach. The book is a good example of eco
Chapter four deals with the problems of waste and how we can return our wastes into the earth as opposed to discarding them. The chapter explains we have had to develop synthesized fertilizers in order to grow crops. these fertilizers become runoff and pollute our waters. Our products are designed to be replaced. In our consumer culture companies depend on people continually buying products. For this reason products are designed to last just long enough for consumers to want a new one. The old products get discarded and become waste. The chapter talks about a products life cycle and how we can rethink the designs so the materials can be reused. I found this chapter interesting for two reasons one, the idea that we continually buy products only to replace them is one I find hard to understand. Even though I'm guilty of this I find it ridiculous. I'm an Apple fan but, every time Apple introduces a new ipod, people feel they need it, even though they may already have one. My current ipod is a second generation ipod. It still has a scroll wheel, a black and white screen and is big. It works, and so I don't feel I need to buy a new fancy touch screen one. Consumers do feel they have to replace it though and we throw the others away.
Chapter five starts with a great point about tearing down our natural surroundings only to be replaced with things that were never meant to be there. It goes on to discuss how we have to learn to live with all the diverse species surrounding us. This chapter reminded me of the bio-mimicry video we watched. In that video it is explained that species can live in harmony, even thrive off of each other, and we should use that as a blueprint in living in harmony with our surroundings. This chapter also revisited the problem of removing native vegetation only to be replaced with vegetation that was never meant to grow there so we artificially fertilize it, forcing it to grow. Once it does grow however, we then cut and prune it back essentially hindering the growth it has been forced to do.
The book finishes by explaining how to put eco-effectiveness into practice. One of the examples they use was when designing a factory for Herman-Miller William McDonough wanted to give the factory a feeling of being outdoors. They designed it with trees in the interior and skylights that would light the factory up like being outdoors. The employees in the factory were much happier and job performance reflected that. The chapter explains the five steps to eco-effectiveness. 1. get "free of" known culprits. Explaining that getting rid of harmful chemicals is the first step in becoming more eco-effective. 2. Follow informed personal preferences. The authors explained about how William sent lists to manufacturers whose products they were considering, wanting them to list everything that was used in the production of the product. Then making informed decisions based on the materials and processes involved in making them. 3. Creating a "passive positive" list. Now that the materials and processes have been categorized they could start to determine what materials would be toxic or contain toxic chemicals that could off gas into the air. 4. Activate the positive list. They explain this is where the idea of being less bad turns into being good, by using materials that are non-toxic, non polluting and can be completely recycled. Finally step 5. Reinvent. Using what they now know the designers can rethink the design in a way to be truly eco-effective.
The overall theme of Cradle to Cradle, is one of learning how to coexists with our environment. Humans for centuries have used up our resources without regenerating them. This book is a good first step into rethinking how we live, work, consume, dispose and regenerate our resources. William McDonough & Michael Braungart have given people a blueprint on how to be eco-effective. In our society of over consumption and waste, it is about time we start using it.
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