And so it is

This sketch of Suzanne's could not better describe me today.  

On the flip side please check out more of her amazing and inspiration work here.

I've got an itch...

click image to enlarge

Recently I've been researching where I'd like to study abroad which has really heightened my urge to travel.  Although Belgium isn't on the list I couldn't help sketch this view of Town Square or Grote Markt in Antwerp.

 SUSTAINABILITY AT UNCG

Mission

To shape a legacy of ecological stewardship, social equity, and prosperity for future generations.

Charge

To identify and recommend responsible and sustainable practices in all aspects of our institutional culture, including operational activities, academic programs and community relationships.

 People to talk to : Jenny Paige and Anna Marshall-Baker
...along with the members of each indiviual commitee in which one person from each group is selected to serve on the Council or Representatives.

Starting in 2007 an Enviromental Studies Major became avaliable

Our efforts are broken down into these groups:

Communication and Outreach, Dining Services, Energy and Water, Green Building, Health and Social Justice, Grounds Maitenane, Health and Safety, Transportation and Campus Access, Waste Reduction and Society



Last semester my studio class held a sustainability-book-fair 

Sustainability: Smart Transportation: Bus Shelter

From trash to treasure: sustainability in product design

Sustainability: Preservation : Quad

My Innovation Face

     I think two innovation faces fit me the best:  the anthropologist and the experience architect.  Something both these have in common is that they are open and revolve around what people will get out of design.  One of my favorite quotes is "People ignore design that ignores people."  Whenever I'm designing something I am thinking more of the experience the end product will create more than just the end product itself.  I like to people watch and observe different cultures and lifestyles.   I think it is important to do so for many, many reasons.   Looking at things from different perspectives and putting yourself in others shoes has a positive reflection on your character and your work.  Just as I am always looking for what inspires others I myself always keep things that inspire me close.  I love to be inspired.
  These two faces are in the learning and building categories.  Both which I think are hands on.  These faces will really add to our design thinking project.  I think the anthropologist makes a good teammate and researcher.  The experience architect will really push what the anthropologist does to the next level by building upon that knowledge and actually creating something.

[Learning]
The Anthropologist | humanistic approach.  social behavior related to design.  beginners mind. listen and look. observer.
The Experimenter | prototype. trial and error. experimentation as implementation.
The Cross -Pollinator | explorer. interested in other viewpoints. translates research. make things happen. show and tell. diverse background. stir the pot.

[Organizing]
The Hurdler | innovation. outsmarts overcomes obstacles.  barrier jumper. perseverance. do more with less.
The Collaborator | come together.  leads from the middle. multidisciplinary solutions. stir the pot.
The Director | gathers talent. sparks and inspires. launches.

[Building]
The Experience Architect | design experiences.  connect at a deeper level. creates positive encounters. fend off the ordinary. focus their energy. packaging experience. journey.
The Set Designer | creates a stage. makes a greenhouse. physical environments as tools. nourish team. sustain  creative culture. improvements.
The Caregiver | care beyond service. human touch. deeper level. anticipates needs. heart of team.
The Storyteller | internal morale. external awareness. building the fundamentals. human value.  support.

Innovation Exercise

Photo Credit:Michael Mckinney

The kind of day when it takes me at least three tries just to doodle a phrase

Turn your Barrier into Bridges

Barrier : Bridge

Forcing people to interact might make them shy away : Provoking people to interact is more successful

People won't relate and interact : commonalities make people relate

We don't have enough money to build it :  We can use donated and found items.  Plus we are just getting up to the prototype stage of design

People will not interact :  If the design is appealing it will draw people in and in turn they have the opportunity to interact with each other

It is one design that must coincide with various sites and activities :  This is a prototype and can be altered to be more site-specific but a prototype design is used for many things in different places- i.e. mailbox, street signs, etc.

Design Thinking Project Proposal

• laptop+printer+scanner combo
• bike bag|more comfortable to ride with and doesn't get in the way
• shower caddy|for dorm life
• dog park|for more than the dogs, owners can multitask here
• a bike+music deal that makes it easier to listen to music while riding, no dangerous headphones+spokes combo
• a design thinking app
• an outdoor sit-down area that makes it easy for students to do work outside
•  integration+interactive wait or rest spot|perhaps in metro stations, bus stops, waiting at the pharmacy or an office waiting room
• an interactive display area for campus' to display different pieces of work from all majors and areas
• rainwear|rethinking boots+umbrellas+rain jackets
• adopt a street, road or highway|a more site-specific design thinking project
• carry bag|we often use the same type of carry bags as years and years before while we have many more gadgets than in the past