Mid-Semester Presentation

Responses, Interests, and Local Organizations

Designing Sustainability

The course described in this reading seems very appropriate for a world moving towards a sustainable future. Educating professionals on both sustainable values and global economies is key to better understand the contemporary issues of environmental destruction and fleeting resources that are occurring around the globe.

Metrics for Measuring Ideation Effectiveness

I agree with the early supposition that engineering design ideation is found between the overlap of utilitarian ideals and novelty. A designer must find a way to align both the interests of function and innovation to have a good product.

Creativity as a Design Criterion

The concluding principle in this article is that creativity, and that with which it is judged by, will always be subjective. I, for the most part, agree with this idea but feel that creative and inventive design can certainly be judged on the basis of functionality, material appropriateness, and sustainability.

Areas of Social Need I find interesting

1. Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future generations. I am interested in how we ration natural resources for consumption, as well as ways to align the interests of business, social values, and environmental concerns.

2. Sustainable Products

I am very interested in mass produced objects that are designed, manufactured, and implemented sustainably. I hope that in the near future, large corporations and popular retail chains embracing sustainable product aimed at the average consumer, as opposed to stores such as Wholefoods, who jack up prices because their clientele are willing to pay.

3. Climate Ethics

Integral ethical questions have been consistently overlooked by many climate change discussions and debates. This area of research is aimed at creating a better understanding of the ethical dimensions of climate change among policy makers and the general public. I am most interested in learning about climate change to be able to better analyze ways that I as an industrial designer can have a positive impact on the world at large.

Organizations

1. Apeiron Institute For Environmental Living

The mission of the Apeiron Institute For Environmental Living is to create ecologically healthy communities by bringing sustainable living practices from around the world to Southeastern New England. We support and facilitate projects, ideas and practices that advocate for environmentally friendly building, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and business practices and integration of sustainability into all aspects of society

2. Toxics Information Project

In Rhode Island, no organization has been focused specifically and exclusively on toxics in everyday products, their health effects, and alternatives to their use. Toxics Information Project (TIP) aims to fill that role. TIP will stimulate people to think about and to question the chemicals that they are putting into their bodies everyday through absorption, inhalation, and ingestion. Using the most up-to date information from recent research and creative interaction with the public in a variety of ways & venues, TIP will seek and disseminate knowledge on how to avoid the worst toxics and to embrace safer ways to live our everyday lives. TIP will also provoke people to think about environmental effects from the residue in streams and soil and air from both manufacture of these products and their disposal after use by consumers.

3. The Steel Yard

The Steel Yard offers arts and technical training programs designed to increase opportunities for cultural and artistic expression, career-oriented training, and small business incubation.

4. Farm Fresh Rhode Island

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health and quality of life of Rhode Island farmers and eaters.

5. Groundwork Providence

Groundwork Providence began as Keep Providence Beautiful in 1983. In 2000 the organization changed its affiliation to the British based Groundwork model. The purpose of this model is to build sustainable communities through joint environmental action. The mission of Groundwork Providence is to bring about sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community based partnerships, which empower people, business and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.

6. Nature Conservancy

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

Week 2 Ideation

I spent a lot of time brainstorming on a variety of topics, including applications for the Heat Source material and ways to utilize the copious amounts of sunlight that is characteristic of this region of Tibet. For the Heat Source material, I tried to figure out ways to implement already existing heat sources to charge up the material. For the sunlight utilization, I thought of various ways in which the sunlight could be harnesses for both heat and indoor lighting.

1st Reading Responses

The Meaning of Social Entrepreneurship
I found this view of social entrepreneurship to be quite inspiring. I particularly agree with the statement: “Creating a fit between investor values and community needs is an important part of the challenge.” The one thing I find interesting about this field is the ability and need to align both the interests of business, in order to exist and thrive, and the needs of the community and user with lasting improvements.


Reshaping Social Entrepreneurship
I believe that working collaboratively, whether individual to individual, or organization to organization, can yield successful outcomes. But, the idea of the social entrepreneur as an individual problem solver I find exciting, as in a person who does not require backing from any particular company or organization, and can make affective and powerful changes by his or her own accord and persistence. Companies that delve into social entrepreneurial ventures can accomplish so much, but I don’t know if larger organizations and individuals should be grouped together as the author suggests. I don’t necessarily see a need to do so, as companies and larger organization undertaking these objectives are recognized as doing so nonetheless.


Social Entrepreneurship: The Case for Definition
The differences between the variations of social entrepreneurship, social service provision, and social activism all make sense to me. The notion the a social entrepreneur is someone who undertakes huge challenges and attempts to change social structures in a big way, as opposed to focusing on smaller and more contained venues, is important to distinguish. Affecting the establishment to “secure permanent benefit” is key.