crossedwires

The Green Finger Project

We had our very talented ex-intern Casper Ter Kuile in for lunch the other day. Amongst various other things, he has initiated the Green Finger Project.

Your colour your finger green, and write what you care about protecting in your palm (and someone films or photographs you). Lulu and I had a go; it was a lot of fun!

There’s something very empowering about writing down what you care about, on yourself. The project allows people to voice what they want to protect from Climate Change. It personalises this global issue, whilst creating a link between Climate Change and something that you, as an individual, care about.

Green finger is going viral! Casper and his team are going to collect all the Green Fingers in the world and put them on display at the Poznan (Poland) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in December - to demonstrate that there is a global Climate Movement.

Go Casper!

- Posted by Emily

New business, part I

One of my favourite quotes:
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
— Albert Einstein

Most of us are accepting that our actions can have an effect in solving or at least mitigating a lot of our current challenges. And our collective challenges are broad. While we may not immediately think that problems far over in that corner of the world affect us, often, the connections are not too hard to find. This is becoming increasingly obvious with climate change and especially when you consider, as International Alert puts it, “the consequences of the consequences”. For example, climate change leads to shortage of resources which leads to competition for resources, which makes it easy for people to instrumentalise difference, which can lead to violent conflict, which can encourage large-scale migration, which can lead to hundreds of thousands more immigrants for countries in the West to accommodate… and I’ll let you complete the story from there.

Often, solutions are perceived to involve sacrifice and loss – rarely, do people buy the idea that in fact, we are being presented with opportunities. I believe that this perception, this fear to embrace the unknown and unthinkable only leads to inertia or at best, looking for old solutions to new problems. Rather than take a chance to dream of what could be possible, people try to milk what they have (with all of its shortcomings) because it’s familiar (though not necessarily still, if it ever was, effective).

A lot of things I have come across in the past few weeks illustrate this well. Henry lent me a copy of Seth Godin’s Purple Cow which affirms that the only way to succeed in business is to be remarkable. Professor John Wood of Goldsmiths came in the other day and talked about the transformative power of vision.

And I found this Hugh Macleod illustration:

Rather than business being about ‘work’ a term that in wide interpretation connotates dread, burden and something to get out of the way quickly. How about if work was why we got up in the morning? And I’m not just talking about finding a more enjoyable job here, what if your life’s passion was your work? What if you could be employed (or not) to do what you were going to do anyway? What if indeed, business was all about creating a space to share your work and mutually exchange ideas to help each other get closer to achieving our goals?

What if we made this possible? Happier, more productive people. Not having to work on work-life balance – it would simply just be. And everyone practicing rational self-interest could lead to a better world for all … couldn’t it?

— posted by Lulu

The power of maps

I've just seen this map on the NY Times site

It's interactive, have a go yourself!

Words can't express how clever and beautiful I think this is, hence the short post!

- Posted by Emily

Back to School

I recently saw the inspiring joinedupdesignforschools exhibition at Somerset House, which showcases the work of the the Sorrell Foundation Young Design. The exhibition highlights what young people want from their schools, and shows how they develop life skills when given an important role in the process.







Paul Smith worked with one school in Nottingham to design a new school uniform. Through working with pupils to find out what they wanted, he found out that young people don’t necessarily want a uniform that looks cool or trendy, but one that makes them feel comfortable so they can learn better. The finished design is pictured below.

“We want a uniform that will make us proud of our school.”
- Client team



Joinedupdesignforschools is an example of ‘co-design’, identifying both problems and solution with the user, rather than imposing a solution with no user consultation.

“The kids can list the problems in a school quicker than teachers or governors. That’s very important.”
- Sam Jacob, designer

These projects illustrate what happens when you involve the user in the design process from the beginning, in this case a process that has improved young people’s environment, learning experience and ultimately, their education.

- Posted by Emily

Art & Communication

We had a brilliant talk the other day at Futerra from photojournalist and photographic artist Nick Cobbing. Nick’s work focuses primarily on landscape and humankind's changing relationship with the natural world. This is one of his shots from the series Surface Tensions:

Nick also took part in the amazing Cape Farewell project, which brings together artists, scientists and educators to raise awareness about climate change. The project is a wonderful way of integrating art with messaging around this subject:

“One salient image, sculpture or event can speak louder than volumes of scientific data and engage the public's imagination in an immediate way.”

To me, art communicates on the most human level of emotion, and expresses what we cannot put directly into words. Projects such as Cape Farewell highlight the relationship between ‘art’ and the communications industry, and embody this open cross-disciplined way of thinking that suddenly seems to be everywhere.

To finish, a random picture I took in some back street in Paris. I didn’t know why I was taking it at the time, but I do now!

- posted by Emily

Identity, not identical.

Recently I’ve been noticing really great signs, and finding the ones for small, independent businesses a lot more interesting than ones for big retailers.

I go past this great sign for Charlie Allen (a tailor) on the bus nearly every day, and finally got around to taking a picture of it.

I love it because it’s so simple and honest. What says ‘this is my place’ more personally than a signature. A handwritten signature or ‘sign’ readily identifies its creator, creating a more direct, authentic connection with whoever is trying to reach you. Look at this keycutters and DIY shop in Finsbury Park:

Pretty obvious what they do isn’t it? These signs make you think you’ll be getting a personal, honest and direct service.

In societies where literacy is not widespread, such signs are primarily based on images rather than words. Western approaches to branding have homogenised companies and services to such an extent, that perhaps we are looking back to a more individual way of labeling and navigating our way around the world.

Wolff Olins have some interesting thoughts about branding and identity, and talks about the idea of brands as flexible platforms, and having identities, not being identical:

“This new world of branding isn’t about self-contained citadels, or force-fields that repel other brands.”

What happens now? Will big brands start ‘tailoring’ their identities, signage and interiors to the communities they are situated in? Please comment with any thoughts or examples!

- posted by Emily

A New Application

Emily and I have been observing and discussing how increasingly, websites are starting to act as applications. If we stray away from the computing definition of the word ‘application’, and think of alternatives such as “the action of putting something into operation”, I think of the wonders of web 2.0. What with its explosion, it’s no wonder that people are no longer receptive to static sites that talk at them. Instead, it seems that we are looking for experiences and particularly, those that we can influence – whether it’s by changing the background of your myspace page or creating a group that celebrates your peculiar interest.

Indeed, with so much rigidity and relative powerlessness over several aspects of our day-to-day life, the internet is an attractive channel to unleash thoughts, ideas, urges that might not be as easily expressed in real life. It makes me wonder then, what other possibilities this offers?

I came across an interesting page today. Sokwanele - Zvakana (Enough is Enough) is a Zimbabwe Civic Action Support Group site campaigning for freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe. They have created a google map that allows you to select breaches of democracy, see where they were committed and then link to a database that gives more information on the act.

There are several other examples of how new technologies can be used to fight for democracy. Some may argue that ‘playing’ on the internet may have negligible tangible results in the restoration of democracy but I think it’s impossible to ignore the unifying and mobilizing potential of, particularly, web 2.0. And that is the beginning isn’t it?

— Posted by Lulu

When it's okay to shoot the messenger

Those of us in the creative industry enjoy a freedom unlike many professions that have formal codes of practice. Not only do we lack stringent rules to follow but in fact are often encouraged to dare to break with convention! One thing we do have in common with many other professions is that the user (in various forms – client, patient, audience, student etc) is at the centre of our work. And if we are indeed creating for another’s experience, surely we must accept some responsibility for how our creation shapes that experience? As conduits for ideas and messages, we must first interrogate their merit and accuracy and then also consider the possible interpretations of them.

One of the best examples where irresponsible design has had disastrous effects is election time. There are several tales of how confusing ballot design has misled voters and produced results that have compromised the electorate’s trust in the democratic process.

So when it comes to encouraging people to live more sustainably, what responsibilities do those who work in the creative industries hold?

With sales of green and ethical products and services soaring, companies are keen to capitalise on emphasising these features. But with more and more advertising out there implying or claiming to be green, sometimes misleadingly so, consumers are becoming more and more sceptical as to the validity of such claims.

The danger is that these consumers may consequently become disengaged with the green and ethical market altogether thus sabotaging the environmental movement within business. Put succinctly, “greenwash destroys the very market it hopes to exploit”.

The responsibility for truthful messaging does not only lie with the companies selling these goods and services but also with those of us who help to promote them. So checks against greenwash need to be made at every stage – from client to creative to media outlets (including publications and broadcasters).

Today Futerra has launched a Greenwash Guide that aims to help communications professionals get their green messaging right. It includes 10 Signs of Greenwash as well as easy steps for companies, communications agencies and the public to help stamp out greenwash.

Designed by Emily and Lulu, you can download the guide here…

— Posted by Lulu

Feeling Mobile?

I recently upgraded my old phone (Nokia 5140) after about 2 ½ years. By today’s standards, I kept it for a long time. After receiving my slinky new 6300, I came to realise why.

The old one was more weighty (but not heavy), which meant you could actually find it in your handbag, and had pleasing proportions. It had a rubber casing, which is really tactile (not in a kinky way), so it didn’t slide around. Also, the camera was pretty rubbish, which meant the only things I could really do (and need to do) were call & text.

The new phone is made of that naff ‘plastic posing as metal’ material which slinks around my tardis-like bag. It even slid out my pocket on the bus the other day – causing untold hassle whilst waiting for a replacement (although I have quite enjoyed my mobile phone holiday). This never would have happened with the clunky touchy-feely one.

The new one does have a couple of plus points: a. I can read the screen better (graphic design is slowly killing my eyesight) and, b. a decent camera means I can send funny pictures to my mum, which keeps her happy. However physically and emotionally, I hate it.

But then you aren’t meant to like them, are you? You’re meant to get bored of them and think they can no longer serve your needs, so that the phone companies make more money.

The increased functionality of the new phone also bugs me. It means you just have more steps in between reaching each function (going back and forth between icons and menus). I like the web usability recommendation that says you should minimise the amount of clicks needed to get anywhere between information. Why isn’t this applied more frequently to products?

Donald A. Norman, the author of The Design of Everyday Things refers to the increasing functionality of products as ‘creeping featurism’.

“It is the users who request the features: the designers are simply obliging them. But each new set of features adds immeasurably to the size and complexity of the system. More and more things have to be made invisible, in violation of all the principles of design. No constraints, no affordances; invisible, arbitrary mappings.”

By creating cold, meaningless products with too many functions, companies are reducing the amount of time you want that object in your life for, thus perpetuating the cycle of desire. These thoughts have inspired me to try and sew some kind of case for my new phone, to try and forge some kind of emotional relationship with the horrid little thing.

-Posted by Emily

Keep Calm and Carry On!

I brought this t-shirt the other day after being inspired by the history of the design (designer unknown). Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, the British Government commissioned posters to be displayed throughout the country (this one was never officially issued) to relay positive messages from King George VI and reassure the public.

I do find the message and sentiment behind this piece both inspiring and hopeful (and fabulously British!). Perhaps we need to invoke a little wartime spirit in the fight against climate change. If messaging reminded us that we are all in this together, instead of provoking fear, maybe things would seem that bit more possible. It also conveys the attitude that sustainability starts with a state of mind, and with positivity and togetherness we can deal with the situation at hand.

As well as signing up and fighting the enemy, propaganda posters stressed the need to stop waste and unnecessary consumption, for the recycling of scarce materials, and for boosting food production from gardens and allotments. Here are a few more examples of messaging inspiring sustainability, before anyone had even heard the term ‘sustainability’ – when it was just common sense! Apologies for not crediting the artists here, they are hard to find on the web. If anyone knows names please email me!

Keep Calm and Carry on t-shirts and posters are available here.

- Posted by Emily