Design

I’m very curious about the way we make things, systems, organizations, and communities. How do we come up with new ideas that meet new needs (i.e. creativity) and how do we put them into action (i.e. innovation)?

The Cortica Chaise Lounge is made from cork, which is a renewable resource, and fully biodegradable. 4 Foundations for Design Excellence

Can design achieve excellence without adding sustainable value to the world? The Natural Step’s System Principles give all designers a simple, indisputable starting point for innovation. Continue reading →
Design and the Empathic Civilization

According to Jeremy Rifkin, humanity is on it’s way to biospheric consciousness, an Empathic Civilization, thanks to the personal computer and the internet, but what does this have to do with climate change and how we design our world? Continue reading →
The Hippo Roller allows women and children to fetch water without breaking their backs. Full Inclusion: Human Centred Design

Can human centred design be a form of imperialism? If it is not used as a tool for capacity building, yes! Continue reading →
Making More Life Possible

Are you sticking bricks together, or are you building a cathedral? Changing our focus changes what’s possible, so what’s the shift of focus for our times? Sustainability. Making more life possible. Continue reading →
With so much choice it's easy to spin your wheels in over-analysis. Riding Your Elephant Part I: A Primer on Making Change

According to the Chip and Dan Heath in their new book, Switch, for change efforts to be successful, you’ve got to appeal to the instinctive and emotional Elephant, the reflective and rational Rider, and you’ve got to clear a Path to make it easier for them to take their journey. Continue reading →
Riding Your Elephant Part II: Examples of Change in the Apparel Industry Riding Your Elephant Part II: Examples of Change in the Apparel Industry

Chip and Dan Heath’s Switch Framework lays out a simple but effective method for any change initiative. Here I illustrate their concept -directing the Rider, motivating the Elephant and shaping the Path – with examples from the apparel industry. Continue reading →
The Three Ps: People, Planet, Profit The People Part of the 3Ps

“Leading a sustainable organization involves stretching the organization to re-envision how it uses its resources, not only natural resources, but its workforce and business partnerships.” Continue reading →
The Penny Farthing Yikes! 360 Degrees of Sustainable Design

Sustainable design should be synonymous with Great design. Take the Yike Bike for example. . . Continue reading →