Kickstarter of the Week: The Afghan Pepper Company is Repairing Economies with Hot Sauce
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Will Designers be Responsible for Creating the Next Efficient Business Model?
As we are witness to major failures in the role of business and our economic system, we can’t help but to ask ourselves, who will create the next efficient business model? One could argue that with all of this uncertainty, now is the time that we need to discover the next driving force to put...
Qualcomm and X PRIZE Bring the Science Fiction Medical Tricorder to Reality
Science fiction creates visions of far-distant futures where teleportation and droids are the norm. With the Qualcomm Tricorder X PRIZE, one of science fiction’s most impressive devices is about to become a reality. The medical tricorder of Star Trek is a non-invasive handheld device used to scan, analyze, and diagnose patients. The need for such a...
The Incredible Lightness of Being: Opel Introduces the City Car of the (Near) Future
It’s been long known that reducing the weight of a car can boost its performance capabilities. Carbon fiber and light alloys are commonly used on high performance cars to lower the weight of the automobile. However, these materials can significantly increase the cost of the car. In contrast, when strategic design is applied to the...
Take Part in Social Media Week 2012: Empowering Change Through Collaboration
People utilize social media for all sorts of reasons. Whether it’s generating buzz for your business or building a following for your weekend garage band, social media can be beneficial both professionally and socially. The immense impact of social media on today’s society is undeniable and continues to change communication, engagement, and mindsharing in our...
Urban Green Council Works to Crack the Green Code
Urban Green Council, the New York chapter of the United States Green Building Council, is leading the transition and growth of New York’s green urban landscape. Dedicated to triple bottom line principles, the USGBC‘s aim is to create sustainable and prosperous ways to develop cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Through their multiple resources, building industry professionals...
Designing Hope for the Future – A Conversation with the Rural China Education Foundation
Since its economic reform in 1978, China’s social, economic, and political environment has greatly improved. However, it is still challenged by polarized development. Urban citizens enjoy a higher standard of living while people living in rural areas have less access to stable employment, medical care, environmental protection, and a high standard of education. To pursue...
Windowfarms Enables City Dwellers to Grow Their Own Produce
Food concerns in the US have been on the rise in recent years and a backlash against questionable food policy, safety, and sourcing of food products is growing. Today there are more farmers markets than ever, increasing demand for organic food, as well as urban farming and home gardening movements. But as we city dwellers...
![[UN]RESTRICTED ACCESS: Architecture for Humanity Re-Imagines Bastions of War](http://catalystsdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Rietveld-Landscape-Bunker-599-project-290x290.jpg "[UN]RESTRICTED ACCESS: Architecture for Humanity Re-Imagines Bastions of War")
[UN]RESTRICTED ACCESS: Architecture for Humanity Re-Imagines Bastions of War
The humanitarian design nonprofit, Architecture for Humanity, initiates an international design competition every other year. The challenge calls upon designers to bring innovative solutions to issues in the built environment that impact the health, prosperity, and well-being of under-served communities. Given that just days ago the last US troops withdrew from Iraq, this year’s competition addresses an...
Liga Masiva’s Profitable Business Model “People, Not Commodity Prices”
“Liga Masiva” loosely translated from Spanish to English means “massive league”, it can also be described as a diverse group that gathers to form a strong and powerful movement. Emily Kerr selected this assertive name for her venture company, Liga Masiva, back in 2009. Today, her vision of “shopping the farmers market at an international...
Pratt Design Management Alumnus Sean T. Brennan, Guiding Future Design Leaders
For the past 21 years, design has been at the core of Sean’s personal and professional life. It wasn’t until 2002, upon his enrolling in the Design Management program, did the understanding and strategic uses of design as competitive advantage in a global marketplace make a substantial difference in his life. Now, design management...
New Company Helps For-Profit Businesses Find Their Triple Bottom Line
photo by: Zack Seward / WXXI We’re always talking about businesses related to Corporate Social Responsibility, and a new company called Socially Good Business has added a note to the conversation. Liz Brenna started Socially Good Business back in September of 2011 after spending the last four years working at Ben & Jerry’s Headquarters in...
An Innovative Cup Design that Eliminates the Need for Plastic Lids
Grande, skinny, pumpkin spice, latte with whip… is my usual coffee order. Being your typical coffee drinker, I was truly intrigued when I learned that my cup of Joe may soon come in a sleek, newly-designed vessel that has no need for wasteful plastic lids. After being inspired by the enclosed shape of a crushed...
