ICIS NeWS
July 06
in this issue:
Editorial
The ICIS/Lund Project
August Symposium "Joining the Dots"
Sustainable Design Futures - the Pilot
Designers Development Programme
DEEDS DEsign EDucation & Sustainability
ISL Programme
Editorial
Dear Friends
I write this editorial on my laptop, sitting under a huge tree overlooking the lake on the 250-year old organic farm on which ICIS is located. Yesterday, after weeks of careful monitoring, the tadpoles turned into frogs and even though this process occurs every year, I was once again filled with wonder at the dynamics of transformation in nature.
It seems as though these forces of change are at work here at ICIS too. This month marks one year since a huge fire burnt down the historic barn and farm building that comprised the home and archives of ICIS founders, Karen Blincoe and Mervyn Kurlansky. Losing your home and possessions is an unsettling experience, no doubt, but it seems in retrospect, to have ushered in new energy and experiences into their lives. It’s with pleasure that we announce Karen’s new position as Director of Schumacher College, UK. Schumacher is a well-known international educational centre offering a range of courses and programmes that provide a deep and potentially transformative learning experience in sustainability-related topics. Read more about Schumacher here.
No, this doesn’t spell the end of ICIS as you know it, we have no plans to dissolve this initiative and Karen will remain ICIS director as well, developing a new vision for Schumacher while continuing with ICIS activities. Of course, we see the possibility for much collaboration between the two organisations which we will keep you posted on. Please see the official press release here.
ICIS/LUND Project www.susdes.org
I myself am also making a move. Despite having very much enjoyed my second 'bout' here at ICIS, I am off to finalise my masters education and try my hand on a part-time basis at a small advertising agency which is part of the Publicis group. It will be a big change from ICIS and my working background, but I hope to get the chance to do my bit in driving the sustainability agenda . . .
I am succeeded by Erika Torres Luquín who will be taking over and finalising the ICIS/Lund project from August. From Mexico, she holds a BA in Managerial Finance, an MSc Environmental Issues in Latin America and MSc Environmental Policy and the Global Challenge.
She will be the main ICIS contact for the ICIS/Lund project with regards to the forthcoming symposia, the pilot module and everything else related to the project, so please use her email, erika@iciscenter.org.
August Symposium "Joining the Dots"
The first phase of the ICIS/Lund project involved a mapping and needs analysis research process, network building and a symposium where we invited a select group of sustainable design and architect experts to brainstorm “A Vision for A Scandinavian Masters in Ecodesign”. From this symposium, we created the ideological underpinnings of a brand new Masters in sustainable design, asking each participant to generate ten points to illustrate their vision of this education.
Now we have invited back the group, along with some new faces to help us put together the pieces of the puzzle; refine the content of this education as well as share experiences and knowledge of emerging issues in sustainable design education.
Sustainable Design Futures - The Pilot
There are still a few places left on our free-of-charge pilot module which will take place in Helsingør, Denmark in November this year.
We developed this two-week pilot educational course, Sustainable Design Futures, to test out the particular configuration of sustainability and design topics that will be incorporated into the final Sustainable Design Masters programme.
The pilot module is designed to give students at MA level an introduction to the challenge and value of sustainability in the context of design, spanning issues ranging from CSR and business ethics; ecodesign and eco-innovation; biomimicry and slow design; product development and waste. The module also focuses on sustainable city issues related to transport, waste and energy.
SDF will focus on definitions, methods and applications and expand on the latest theories as well as tools in the field of sustainable design. There will be showcases as well as practical examples of implementation to encourage creative new thinking in meeting the challenge of sustainability.
The dates are from Monday 13th to Friday 25th November 2006 inclusive and all food and accommodation costs are free; just make you own way to Helsingør!
To find out more, please contact Erika on Erika@iciscenter.org for the pdf brochure.
Designers Development Programme
We are rapidly approaching the final module for the “Løftestang”, Designers Development Programme. During this module, participants will present their ‘3-year plans’ outlining their short and medium term goals, for their lives and their work. The results of this module will be available here at the beginning of September.
DEEDS (DEsign EDucation & Sustainability) Project
In January this year, we applied for EU funding to “educate the design educators” and implement sustainability in mainstream design education in the EU. This involved partnership with the University of Brighton, Faculty of Art and Architecture, the Academy of Visual Arts, Poznan, Poland, SERI, (Sustainable Europe Research Institute and BEDA (Council of Professional Design Associations in the EU). We are happy to announce that we have won funding for this project, which we hope to commence in October this year.
ISL (Innovation, Sustainability and Leadership)
The ISL programme is the new international development programme for design professionals. Read more about it here. The programme, which combines sustainability, business and leadership in a holistic and international context is now being promoted at the AIGA in the US (www.aiga.org). In addition, Danish design company, Krogh & co (www.krogh.dk) are sponsoring the development of the forthcoming ISL website, which will be launched in the Autumn – we’ll keep you posted.
Have a good summer!
Well, that’s all of our news. This issue does not have the usual round-up of sustainability-related news stories but we will return to later in the year with more on ICIS developments.
Until then, we wish you a very happy summer!
Best wishes
The ICIS Secretariat
ICIS NeWS:
info@iciscenter.org