In the last three or four years sustainability has become a very popular topic in the design “scene” mainly promoted through exhibitions of “Eco Design”. Last London Design Festival even featured Eco Design as a category on its own. Surely cardboard chairs and recycled bags have done their job as charming eye catchers to raise awareness for the topic itself but its about time to rethink the public perception of Eco Design. Looking at (re)designs current (re)booklet, >toolbox> [re]strategies Booklet., 90 percent of its content is furniture.
Thereby they contribute to the impression that the only discipline in design is furniture design. And do we really need another smart chair, a clever cupboard or a crazy lamp? Especially designers who "don't want to make landfill", as (re)design calls its group of exhibiters, should ask themselves if there aren't already enough chairs– even good ones? The general belief to use their skills to improve society is very honorable and they have done a great job in terms of directing attention to a rather unpopular topic. Even big companys start environmental project, if only to impress their costumers. It’s a step into the right direction. Now these very designers should accept the next challenge and try to project the undeniable charm of their readymade products onto functional objects of our everyday life.
Moreover they should take into concern a fact that has barely been treated so far: The ecological footprint of a product: “It compares human consumption of natural resources with planet Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate them.“ To design ecologically it's not only necessary to recycle material and remind us of our responsibility towards the environment, but to take into account how much energy is de facto required the production of the item itself.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Bill Burns Talk
Not sure if everyone has seen this or not but Bill Burns is giving a talk at the ICA:
Bill Burns talk and book signing
Bill Burns: Safety Gear for Small Animals Photo: Yung Kha
31 January 2008
Meet the man behind 0.800.0FAUNA0FLORA.
Bill Burns will be talking and signing copies of The Flora and Fauna Information Service in the Digital Studio from 6-8pm.
Entry free with Admission Ticket.
| Date | Time | Venue | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 31 January 2008 | 6:00 pm | Digital Studio |
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