The true test of the power of design is not just what happened at the conference, but what happens after the conference. We invite speakers and attendees to contribute their thoughts, inspirations and describe their actions in the following forums. (P.S. An email evaluation form is being sent out separately to all attendees):

Communicating the power of design to clients
Studio eg's design criteria include the question "Does this product have a right to exist?" However, clients rarely ask designers to make this determination. How can designers help their clients to create products, advertisements or services that are environmentally, socially and economically responsible? And is this the appropriate role for a designer?

20 comments    View All
Kristina Holdorf, Urban Fresh environmental Print Consultancy, Melbourne Victoria, 12-Feb-06
Be educated and prepared to learn new things, you have a chance to change the future even if it's one...    more...

Communicating the power of design to other designers
Although an amazing number of designers made the trek to Vancouver for the conference, the fact remains that many more designers weren't there. How are you going to communicate the power of design to other designers either in your firm or in your chapter? What did you tell your friends when they asked, "So, what did you learn at the conference?"

17 comments    View All
Jim McLean, Slack Barshinger, Chicago, IL 60601, 13-Apr-04
The summary by William Drenttel and Jessica Helf at the AIGA site illuminates a truth: that thinking...    more...

Working with sustainable materials
The last stop on Milton Glaser's "Road to Hell" is "Designing an ad for a product whose frequent use could result in the user's death." What if the ad itself is toxic? In designing the tote bags for the conference, AIGA discovered that the color of ink we were planning to use was unsuitable because it contained cobalt, which is hazardous to the environment. What criteria do you use to determine whether a material is safe to produce, safe to use and can be disposed of safely? And where do you draw the line between design and environmental science?

14 comments    View All
Conference Attendee, Seattle, 17-Dec-03
EPA Battles Co. Over River Pollution By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press Writer SPOKANE, Wash...    more...