Thoma Mann's Storm Cycle

Thomas Mann is a metalsmith based in New Orleans. When Hurricane Katrina hit he happened to be on vacation in Michigan. The metals community was emailing Tom like crazy so he used his email list to send out updates. [Network and stay connected to people and communities; nothing happens in a vaccuum.] For those of us receiving those updates, it was a personal inside view into what was happening there.
Tom returned to New Orlean as soon as he could [he is well connected]. He is a visual artist. He toured by boat, taking it all in. He then hired a helicopter to fly him around, photographing the entire time. He created a body of work titled, Storm Cycle. It is one response to a crisis situation.

Avant Guardians

Avant Guardians is a series of small books written by Linda Weintraub addressing the environment from several different disciplines including art. The Avant Guardians website has some great links. Linda spoke last year at Goucher, an interesting lecture blog-worthy. If you are interested in the intersection of art and the environment and art, science and the environment check out Linda's work.

Eco-Bags in 3 Minutes, 36 Seconds

Creatives who are successful are in touch with the world today. They listen to the news. They read newspapers and magazines. They observe; a key skill of any designer, artist, entrepreneur. I call it keeping your finger on the pulse. Success is dependent on having your finger on the pulse of whichever field you are interested. In the classroom I talk about Design Pulses and have a "column" on another blog of the design pulses I mention in class.

I listen to NPR, or National Public Radio, most days, all day, during the summer. As I make the coffee, research something new, model designs, run errands, get showered and dressed, etc. During the school year that tuning in changes to on my way to and from work and streaming when I am in my office. This morning I heard a good little snipet of information that made me think of two of my courses this coming semester: Design and Social Entrepreneurship and Design + Production. The 3 minute, 36 second spot was on Eco Bags. Check it out.

I like to eat, well. I want my students to eat. And eat well if they want.

Be The Change

Check this out: http://bethechangeproject.wikispaces.com/

Carbon Neutral U

Check out "Carbon Neutral U" by Andrew Blum in the February issue of Metropolis magazine. You can access this and many articles through the Cook Library Homepage.

Big Ideas for a Small Planet

Big Ideas for a Small Planet is a series produced by Robert Redford's The Sundance Channel. The second season just started so check it out. On Comcast it is channel 165. We used the first season in Design Like You Give A Damn last semester. So inspiring. There are so many people in the world thinking about how to do things differently...smartly. Not just thinking- implementing their ideas and making it go. The Sundance Channel's The Green has so many great resources and information. Immerse Yourself.

[re]Design

[re]Design is an innovative socially oriented design collective.
Check them out.
I am on deadline or I'd post more.
Enjoy!