Compostmodern 2008: A Day of Sustainable Design Solutions for Designers and Business Leaders

The San Francisco chapter of AIGA — the professional organization for design — and the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design (CFSD) present Compostmodern, an interdisciplinary design conference dedicated to promoting sustainable solutions for designers and business leaders. The one-day conference will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2008 in the Morgan Auditorium of the Academy of Art University in downtown San Francisco. Conference schedule, pricing and registration information is available online at www.compostmodern.org.
Compostmodern will present sustainable design as an everyday practice and way of thinking, rather than a niche interest. The event will explore the current and future potential for ecologically sustainable and socially responsible design, focusing on real world solutions and practical applications of design thinking. Presentations by designers, clients and manufacturers will provide resources, tools, and strategies for promoting sustainability in participants’ projects and work environments.
Gaby Brink, AIGA SF environmental chair and conference producer, believes “most designers are willing to embrace sustainability in a meaningful fashion and are hungry for the information and resources that will allow them to make a difference in their day-to-day business lives. Compostmodern is based on the idea that most designers agree to sustainability in principle, and that getting a foothold — something you can actually use — is the real challenge.”
Compostmodern speakers will demonstrate sustainability in action:

Adam Werbach, former Sierra Club president, will outline groundbreaking initiatives underway now with client Wal-Mart.

Alex Steffen of Worldchanging will provide new evidence of the urgent need for innovative sustainability solutions.

Mark Galbraith from Nau Clothing will outline the unique retail model employed by this radical new clothing venture.

Jean-Charles Boisset will demonstrate how sustainability affects every facet of the wine industry.

Jeff Walker from VSA Partners will review GE’s Ecomagination initiative.

Scott Stowell from Open Studios will give participants insight into the editorial agenda of Good magazine.

Valerie Casey of IDEO will speak about “The Designers’ Accord” a call to arms for the creative community to reduce the environmental impact caused by design.

Jane Savage of Nike’s Considered Platform will address their efforts to continually drive the use of more sustainable materials and design practices in Nike’s product development.

Jacinta McCann of EDAW San Francisco will address the impact of population on urban areas by 2008.

AIGA Center for Sustainable Design (CFSD) co-chairs Marc Alt and Phil Hamlett will conduct a whiteboard session to flesh out specific strategic initiatives within the AIGA.

GreenBiz editor and sustainability author Joel Makower will preside over the day’s activities as emcee.