http://designactivism.net reflections on the role of design as activism Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:58:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It's the time of year when I start getting asked frequently about how to find a job in sustainable design—or a related question, where you can find a role as a design activist. working with a purpose Obviously there are no easy answers to these questions, but I have written a few ... http://designactivism.net/archives/225 Happy new year to all. Sorry I've been away from the blog a little longer than usual in the transition to the new year. During this period I've been thinking a lot about the question of legitimate causes for activists to pursue. This is a question that concerns designers, but ... http://designactivism.net/archives/223 Chemicals have a been a theme for me over the past few weeks. First I had a reader inquiry challenging the idea that there could be any health risks from plastics in food and drink packaging. Then, I had a run-in with my son's school over a new, portable classroom ... http://designactivism.net/archives/219 Earlier this week I attended a lecture by urban sociologist Richard Sennett titled "the social craftsman." He talked about the possibility that we will have a "jobless" economic recovery (if you can call it that). And he argued that contrary to popular belief, highly skilled labor is not scarce, that ... http://designactivism.net/archives/214 I am a few days late on the climate action blog post (action day was the 16th October). I want to divide this post into two parts. First if you're just becoming aware or trying to inform yourself about climate issues. Second if you're already active on climate issues.  In the ... http://designactivism.net/archives/210 Health Care ... a timely topic. This post features some of the health related projects I’ve come across in my research on design activism. Designers surely can’t affect the health insurance situation—or can they, service designers?—but the projects below show some of the other categories where designers are trying to ... http://designactivism.net/archives/207 This review is from an online newsletter on lifecycle design issues (covering LCA design tools and related teaching tools such as powerpoint slides) over at The Designer's Atlas of Sustainability. Design is the Problem: The Future of Design Must be Sustainable by Nathan Shedroff (Rosenfeld Media 2009) There is much to like ... http://designactivism.net/archives/203 I've heard a lot recently about how those of us working on social change issues, from climate change to health care, should avoid trying to scare people into change. We shouldn't be fear mongers. Object Orange, a Detroit group highlights abandoned, often crime ridden houses by painting them orange But a couple ... http://designactivism.net/archives/197 Occasionally I get notes from readers who are working on interesting projects. From time to time I'd like to present short "round ups" of the news I'm getting. Here's the first: Wired Unplugged Are printed magazines dead? Should they be, from an environmental standpoint? Antonio Scarponi, in Zurich, sent me this set ... http://designactivism.net/archives/192 Making potential climate change flooding visible and enabling us to discuss adaptation. The Watermarks Project of Bristol, all images courtesy of Chris Bodle and the Watermarks Project As a U.S. citizen I'm trying to decide my own position on climate legislation "The American Clean Energy and Security Act," aka the Waxman-Markey bill ... http://designactivism.net/archives/185