less by design
Category: Socially responsible design
Design for obsolescence: Are we the throw-away generation?
By Lorrin Windahl. The phrase ‘planned obsolescence’ was apparently first coined back in the 1950s by fellow industrial designer Brooks Stevens. After 70 odd years you’d think we’d have come to our senses by now. But I think the notion…
Read MoreIKEA: the global furniture giant shows its softer side
By Lorrin Windahl. IKEA is synonymous with affordable, flat packed furniture. The yellow and blue branding has become an icon of the modern consumer era and can be seen in many countries throughout the world. But, the good news is that the…
Read MorePhilanthropy in Australia: Are the rich morally obliged to give?
By Lorrin Windahl. The other night I caught the ABC’s Compass report entitled ‘Hey Big Spender’. It discussed the idea of philanthropy in Australia and looked at why the wealthy are reluctant patrons. As a whole we are a very…
Read MoreFor a product to succeed, being “green” isn’t enough
By Alistair McCaskill (Guest contributor from The Switch Report). In the last couple of years I’ve interviewed the owners and managers of over 45 companies that are each contributing in some way to the move towards a more sustainable way…
Read MoreThe dirty truth about recycling
By Lucy Smith. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been told to recycle. As a child I recollect asking why I should do this and being told, ‘because it’s good for the environment’. Many years on when the…
Read MoreSaluting those that Salute the Reuser
By Lucy Smith. In my time I’ve had the good fortune of being able to travel far and wide. One of the first things I say to overseas friends or out-of-towners who ask me about Melbourne is; ‘coffee culture’. It’s…
Read MoreOlder people – the forgotten generation?
By Heather McInnes. Health care standards have significantly improved over the last few decades. People are living longer and people with previously fatal injuries and illness are being saved. As a result of this, within developed countries, there are individuals…
Read MoreCardboard coffins – an eco exit?
By Lorrin Windahl. A pretty morbid post I know but I’ve always been amazed at the elaborate and ‘over the top’ design of coffins when they are just put in the ground or, worse still, burnt. When you think about…
Read MoreSustainable packaging
By Lorrin Windahl. When we think of product packaging we often think of polystyrene foam, cardboard and plastic bags. All of which when you have unwrapped the product go into the garbage or, at best, the recycling bin. But this…
Read MoreCorkin’ it up
By Lorrin Windahl. Well I’m happy to admit that I’m a recent convert to cork. I guess convert isn’t quite the right word, I just didn’t know what a fantastic material it is but now I do. I’ve been enlightened….
Read MoreCreative Common License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
less by design 