Compostmodern
Encyclopedia
Compostmodern is an biennial interdisciplinary design conference dedicated to promoting sustainable design
solutions for designers and business leaders. Compostmodern is presented by the San Francisco chapter of AIGA — the professional association for design.
Compostmodern presents sustainable design
as an everyday practice and way of thinking rather than a niche interest. The event explores the potential for ecologically sustainable growth and responsible design, focusing on practical applications of design thinking. Presentations by designers, clients and manufacturers offer resources, tools, and strategies for promoting sustainability
in participants’ projects and work environments.
WorldChanging’s Jeremy Faludi called the 2006 conference “inspiring and engaging people while remaining realistic.” He noted “one of the coolest things about the conference was a small one: for the lunch and water-bottles that were provided, all the packaging plastic was made from PLA, and the “silverware” was made from potato starch
plastic. Many conferences forget details like this, but they’re important. We can’t just talk green, we have to be green, too.”
(IDSA). In January 2004 the inaugural event was held at the California College of the Arts
(CCA) San Francisco Campus and drew over 400 attendees. In January 2006, the event moved to the Academy of Art University
’s Morgan Auditorium and drew over 500 attendees. With the establishment—and subsequent involvement—of the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design (CFSD), production of the event broadened. Gaby Brink (AIGA SF Environment Chair) and Donald W. Savoie (AIGA SF executive director
) oversaw production of the 2008 event which drew 600 attendees from all over the country. The addition of Joel Makower as emcee and speaker podcasts on the website further extended the conference’s reach and appeal. The 2009 conference was moved to a larger venue, the Herbst Theatre, and attracted over 600 attendees. The 2011 conference will return to the Herbst Theatre but will be expanded into a two-day conference, January 22-23, 2011.
Sustainable design
Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.-Intentions:The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental...
solutions for designers and business leaders. Compostmodern is presented by the San Francisco chapter of AIGA — the professional association for design.
Compostmodern presents sustainable design
Sustainable design
Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.-Intentions:The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental...
as an everyday practice and way of thinking rather than a niche interest. The event explores the potential for ecologically sustainable growth and responsible design, focusing on practical applications of design thinking. Presentations by designers, clients and manufacturers offer resources, tools, and strategies for promoting sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
in participants’ projects and work environments.
WorldChanging’s Jeremy Faludi called the 2006 conference “inspiring and engaging people while remaining realistic.” He noted “one of the coolest things about the conference was a small one: for the lunch and water-bottles that were provided, all the packaging plastic was made from PLA, and the “silverware” was made from potato starch
Potato starch
Potato starch is starch extracted from potatoes. The cells of the root tubers of the potato plant contain starch grains . To extract the starch, the potatoes are crushed; the starch grains are released from the destroyed cells...
plastic. Many conferences forget details like this, but they’re important. We can’t just talk green, we have to be green, too.”
History
Compostmodern was conceived in 2003 by Phil Hamlett (AIGA SF Environment Chair, and AIGA National Board of Directors member), Jennifer Pattee and Amos Klausner (AIGA SF chapter director) and co-presented by the Industrial Designers Society of AmericaIndustrial Designers Society of America
Industrial Designers Society of America is an organization of professional industrial designers primarily in the United States. Recently IDSA has started chapters in Canada and in China...
(IDSA). In January 2004 the inaugural event was held at the California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts , founded in 1907, is known for its broad, interdisciplinary programs in art, design, architecture, and writing. It has two campuses, one in Oakland and one in San Francisco, California, USA...
(CCA) San Francisco Campus and drew over 400 attendees. In January 2006, the event moved to the Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University , a for-profit university owned by the Stephens Institute, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens...
’s Morgan Auditorium and drew over 500 attendees. With the establishment—and subsequent involvement—of the AIGA Center for Sustainable Design (CFSD), production of the event broadened. Gaby Brink (AIGA SF Environment Chair) and Donald W. Savoie (AIGA SF executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
) oversaw production of the 2008 event which drew 600 attendees from all over the country. The addition of Joel Makower as emcee and speaker podcasts on the website further extended the conference’s reach and appeal. The 2009 conference was moved to a larger venue, the Herbst Theatre, and attracted over 600 attendees. The 2011 conference will return to the Herbst Theatre but will be expanded into a two-day conference, January 22-23, 2011.