Link:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2010/11/graphic_designers_in_portland...
Garlic grows perfectly packaged. So it was especially galling to the
graphic design students in Chris North's five-week "Waste Not" seminar
at Portland State University when a fellow student found peeled garlic
at the grocery store sold in individually wrapped cellophane packets,
all in a larger bag. But it helped spur a branding project by three
students called Think. "Less". where they envisioned a system whereby
customers would be rewarded with points for purchases that generate
less waste. Those students will present their sustainable solution at
the Shift 5 salon "What does sustainable design mean to you?" on
Thursday in Portland sponsored by the local chapter of AIGA, the
professional association for design. The idea is for graphic designers,
who are all about branding and message making, to think up ideas for
making sustainable changes. It's "an event to inform, inspire and
engage peers, clients and students about sustainable design thinking
and practices."
Of the 10 groups presenting at the upcoming salon, North has a second
team of students who will talk about their proposal to rebrand
Portland's municipal water supply "Perfectly Fine." Instead of focusing
on the terrible waste that's bottled water, why not just rebrand the
stuff flowing from the taps? They created "Perfectly Fine" stickers
that people can put on water bottles. North is even thinking of sending
some to Mayor Sam Adams. "The point of the class is for them to think
differently, for them to rethink the role of graphic designers and
rethink accountability for design decisions," said North. "Someone had
to design that ridiculous garlic package." Shift 5 is Thursday Nov. 18
from 7-9:30 p.m. at Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th Avenue in Portland. The event
is $5 for AIGA members and $10 for non-members. If you bring your own
mug, you can drink the free beer.
