I found this TED talk on www.takemeoutside.ca - an commendable effort to get kids out of the classroom and off the computer.

Something which can maintain intself infinitely
such as the weather, as long as we don't keep messing with it.

Thinking about sustainability within design, the "cradle to cradle" approach that mimics nature and ideally results in non-destructive patterns and behaviours is a model to strive for. Being a visual communication designer rather than an industrial designer makes this kind of thinking more challenging but no less relevant. As designers our potential  influence is large, so pioneering "sustainable design" is not only an opportunity to "do good" it is also essential for our future. Thinking about where materials come from and where they go should become part of our psyche. Also, visual communication can be used to ensure that the big ideas are delivered effectively, with understanding and empathy.

How can we encourage social interaction for seniors in vancouver to increase health?

What are the issues?
Health issues, lonliness, phychological wellness, environmental effects, communication barriers

What do we want to know?
Through empathetic research we want to extract information in a positive way about the following:
How far and where do they travel each day
Environmental considerations - order of importance
Non-financial legacy
Wish lists, best memory
Favourite chanel of communication
Passions, Interests, community involvement
History, memories

Why?
What could be shared with youth to improve education
Creative a dialogue between generations
Fun interactivity for older generation, education and connection for younger generations

Project idea #5
New Media Content... specifically designed for older people
Taken from the Aging pamphlet by Red

What's out there already?

The Buddy Radio by Sidekick Studios
An article on interaction and health
Social inclusion of the Oldest old study findings

Human centred design; a framework for designing smarter?

Culture is complex and changeable. By observing peopl ein their natural environments we can better determine their needs and understand the why, who, how and where of the problems. Cultural norms are developed in response to our need for meaning. Powerful communication and effective design is human centred. focusing on:

Desirability - what do people want?
Feasibility - technical and organizational

Viability - financial and social

Methods tht can be used to capture the story and gain empathy (and information)
Show me...

Draw it...

Photograph it...

5 reasons why...

think aloud...

maps! (I love maps)

"Social inclusion is one of the key determinants of health. If people don't feel they belong, they are not as healthy as those who do."

Janet Gasparini, Social Planning Council of Sudbury

How can we create cues for social interaction in Vancouver?

Creating areas the encourage interaction where currently people simply pass through (the seawall?) Using public art to provoke communication by making the art interactive in some way. Posing an open ended question in a public space with a way for people to comment/respond/converse. (Sidewalk blogging!) Perhaps using technology to link people in a specific geographical location in discussion about a physical space - using virtual spaces to enhance physical spaces and build community. (note: issues of accessibility when using technology)

"A city's ability to foster a sense of inclusiveness is the common thread that keeps the whole social fabric of its community together."

LaRita Barber,

Senior Associate Director of the Urban Institute

A Wake-Up Story from Healthy Child Healthy World on Vimeo.

Trying to come up with a question to be examined and (hopefully) answered in the next 5 weeks in a group of 4 people. Speedy collaberation is a challenge when we're from very different backgrounds/interest areas. There's just so many options! The problem is trying to come up with a question without also trying to come up with the answer - it takes courage to throw questions out there that you have no idea how to answer, it's easier to stick to your comfort zone - but what good ever came from doing that?

Potential Question:
How can we better engage the community (Vancouver) in self-propelled transport culture?
Culture+Community=Pride=Sustainability
Less cars+more bikes=less global environmental impact (smaller carbon footprint)
Vancouver is already quite engaged with pedal power but how could we step it up by designing "something".
"Self-propelled" could include cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, kayaking, sailing......
This question encompasses politics, economics, culture & environmental issues.

Let the discussion begin!

There are so many articles written about design for social change, I do not feel equiped to write freely yet.

I keep coming back to the subject area of Urban planning for social change, being from a family of planners (mum, dad, sister - no kidding!) I've tried to stay far far away from it but I keep ending up back on the fringes of it. Studying Cultural geography at Plymouth Uni, in conversations with my good friend Sarah Hay when she was working for "Lighthouse" (Sustainable building education centre) and doing her MAA at ECUAD. The presentation that stuck with me from PKN was David Ramslie from COV talking about multi-use buildings, history of vancouver's architecture and how Vancouver is striving to be the greenest city in the world.

I grew up thinking that planning was just negotiating red tape but in the last 5 years I have seen the power of good urban planning and the collaberation between architects, planners, engineers and designers resulting in almost Utopic spaces.

Hope + Possibility =

Education + Passion =

open mindedness + collaberation =