Project2 Research

The firms I chose to research for this project do mostly print-based work, since this will be my main focus for my future career.

Green Jeans Creative: http://www.greenjeanscreative.com/

Matter: http://www.morematter.com/

Carter Design: http://www.carterdesign.com/

Project1 - Case Study Steps

Here are some of the steps taken by Worldstudio to make the Urban Forest Project a reality:

Step 1: Defining the Problem - Worldstudio wanted more awareness about the importance of trees in an urban environment. They needed a way to get the message out to the millions of people living in New York City, where the Urban Forest Project was started.

Step 4: Inciting Support and Then Action - Worldstudio put out a call to artists and designers in NYC and over 300 responded within the first two weeks.

Step 8: Enabling the Team to Work as a Team - Since each banner for the Urban Forest Project was created by an individual artist, getting the team of designers wasn't too much of a challenge.

Step 10: Making Sure People Know About Your Solution - The banners advertising the importance of trees in the city was made known easily as all the banners were posted in high-traffic areas, such as Times Square.

Project1 - Urban Forest Project

The Urban Forest Project was initiated by the design firm Worldstudio as a means to make people more aware of the importance of trees in the urban environment. It originated in New York City, where local designers were commissioned to make banners to be displayed in Times Square. At the end of the project, the banners were recycled by transforming them into tote bags. The tote bags were sold online and the profits went to the scholarship and mentoring program of AIGA New York, which helps kids learn about the arts.

After the success of the Urban Forest Project in New York City, it began to expand to other cities across the country, such as Baltimore, Albuquerque, San Francisco, Denver, Washington DC, and most recently in Toledo. In every city, designers are commissioned to make banners that show the importance of trees in major urban areas. Just like in NYC, once the banners are taken down, they will be made into tote bags, and the profits will benefit local arts programs for children.

Worldstudio placed only two restrictions for the banners: they must not create waste, and financial support must go back to programs that support the arts.

Sources:

http://www.ufp-global.com/about/

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/alissa-walker/designerati/urban-forest-project

http://blog.worldstudioinc.com/urban-forest-project-toledo/#more-1047

First Post

This is the first post on my personal blog for FA4480 Practices of Design.