ALR designletter [3.3 - 3.4]
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Welcome to a new issue of the ALR designletter. We’re sorry for the long delay, but we have a great excuse. ALR has just moved to a wonderful new location: a small Arts and Crafts bungalow on Richmond’s north side. Now that we have settled in expect to see future issues on a more consistent schedule. Please accept this double strength Designletter with our apologies. As always we welcome your comments, suggestions, criticism and/or praise. Thanks for reading.
Noah Scalin, founder
ALR design
socially conscious graphic design
http://www.ALRdesign.com
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[01] ALR NEWS
2 of ALR’s designs will appear in the upcoming Print Regional Annual, which will be on newsstands in December. This is the second year in a row that ALR’s work will be featured.
3 of ALR’s designs are used as examples in the new textbook “How to Understand and Use Design and Layout” from How Design Books.
ALR’s Cuisine Marginal brochure received a best of collateral award at the Richmond AIGA’s 2003 GRADE (Greater Richmond Awards for Design Excellence) ceremony.
ALR’s founder Noah Scalin will again be teaching Design Rebels, a course he developed for the the Communication Arts + Design department of Virginia Commonwealth University. The class covers the gamut of ethical issues that socially conscious designers encounter. The first year students’ final project can be seen online at http://www.designrebels.org
Noah was selected as one of the judges for the AIGA Richmond’s 2003 Give2 poster design competition. The posters, which were created to teach professionals about the value and relevance of design will be on exhibit in November, details can be found at http://richmond.aiga.org/
[02] WAR & PEACE
While the war in Iraq may have been declared over by president Bush, the price tag of it has continued to rise, thanks to the continued US presence in the region. The people behind CostOfWar.com (http://www.costofwar.com/) have created an easy way to keep track of this spending. Using the Congressional Budget Office estimates as a start, they have created a real-time running counter of national as well state costs as they grow. They also provided an easy means to see what the money could be used for instead and coding that allows you to embed the counter in your own site.
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Wondering why the cost of war is so high? A look at the Defense Department expenses for peace keeping in the Balkans might help shed some light on the situation. A review by the General Accounting Office revealed some “questionable expenditures” including: a $16,758 Cappuccino Machine, $4,638 worth of white sand, $4,896 in cowboy hats, and a relatively affordable $1,039 nacho cheese warmer. (source: Mother Jones - March/April 2003)
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If you feel that you are not getting a complete understanding of how the US military presence is affecting the people of Iraq from the local news, you may want to check out Iraq Occupation Watch (http://www.occupationwatch.org/). The site is a project of the Baghdad based Occupation Watch Center, which was created by the United for Peace and Justice anti-war coalition to monitor the situation from a human rights perspective and act as a watchdog.
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In response to the now infamous decks of cards used by the US military to identify the most wanted political leaders in Iraq, a California School teacher decided to create her own version. The Operation: Hidden Agenda cards feature facts and quotes from a variety of sources on the roots of the Iraq war and include photos of Bush, Rumsfeld, et al. 50% of the profits from the cards, which are available online at http://www.operationhiddenagenda.com/, will be given to pro-peace organizations.
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The Halliburton Corporation, which came under fire for it’s profiting from sales to Iraq in the 1990’s and for it’s questionable accounting practices more recently, is once again making money in the middle east. This time they have been awarded over $2.2 billion in defense related government contracts by the Bush administration (which just happens to include former Halliburton CEO Dick Cheney). Mother Jones magazine has posted a handy interactive map of what exactly they have been doing with our tax money at http://www.motherjones.com/extra/halliburton. (source: Mother Jones – July/August 2003)
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People searching for the term “Weapons of Mass Destruction” on popular search engine Google, using the “I’m Feeling Lucky” feature, may be surprised when they get the error message at this page: http://www.coxar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
[03] ACTIVISM
Need a means of coordinating likeminded individuals for meetings, but lack the organizing skills? Checkout Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/) an online tool that helps create in-person meetings across the country for everything from Howard Dean supporters to Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans. Choose from existing topics or suggest your own. Meetup is non-partisan, ad free and best of all, costs nothing to use.
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Activist organizations looking for fundraising tools might want to consider the Deception Dollar (http://www.deceptiondollar.com/), a fake dollar bill that is a humorous and clever way to pass out online activism information. Another option is the Peace Not War CD (http://www.peace-not-war.org/), a 2-disc set of well-known US and UK artists performing anti-war songs. Created by a couple of East London activists the discs, which were originally burned by hand in their living room, are now used to raise funds in 18 countries. Both items are available in bulk, at low cost for resale by peace groups.
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In the wake of the collapse of plans by DARPA (the government agency that brought you the short lived Information Awareness Office eye in the pyramid logo) for a futures market based on terrorist activities, The American Action Market has emerged. This parody of the Policy Action Market has the exact same look and tone of the original, but plans to utilize futures share trading to track government misdeeds instead. To find out what will happen when trading begins on October 1st go to: http://www.AmericanActionMarket.org/
(thanks to list member Brad Choma for this one)
[04] DESIGN
A giant tuna, a portrait of Elvis, and a telephone booth; what do these things have in common? They were all winning entries in the innovative Canstruction Competition. Architecture and design firms worked with thousands of cans of food they purchased themselves to create the enormous freestanding sculptures. Initiated by the Society of Design Administration 11 years ago, this contest now takes place in 50 cities across the US. All of the cans are donated to local food banks when exhibition is over. See this year’s winners at http://canstruction.org.
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Believing that designers should utilize their skills for positive social ends, the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada has set up the Design Cares gallery (http://www.gdc.net/designcares/). The site, which features work from dozens of student and professional designers, is meant to both inspire and celebrate socially conscious design. Visitors are encouraged to post their own contributions.
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The folks at Backspace Design have created an excellent web log of their attempt to define socially conscious design. Social Design Notes (http://backspace.com/notes/) is filled to the brim with articles culled from a wide range of sources about the social issues faced by designers. Sorted by subject and searchable, this is an excellent resource for those who are trying to infuse ethics into their work. Submissions are encouraged.
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Banner ads have become a ubiquitous element of the world of commercial websites. But what if the ads weren’t for a product, but against it? The Anti-Ad server allows users to have a random anti-ad appear on their site which in turn links to a random anti-marketing website. It’s a new form of digital subversion. Take part at http://anti-ads.detritus.net/mission.html
[05] ENVIRONMENT
Nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next 3 years. When discarded, the hazardous materials they contain can leak into the environment and work their way into drinking water. The best thing to do with functioning old equipment is to donate it to a non-profit organization. Share The Technology (http://www.sharetechnology.org/) is a good place to research for companies in need of equipment. If you have computer equipment that is no longer functioning you can have it recycled by sending it to Metech International (http://www.recycleapc.com/). For a small fee they will accept both Macs and PCs and are specifically recommended by Apple in their environmental guidelines (http://www.apple.com/about/environment/). Also rebates are available from Dell and Hewlett Packard to consumers who trade in their old PCs for new ones. (source: Christian Science Monitor 4/12/03)
Users of Epson products can now recycle them directly through the company. There is a small fee to use the service, but they will refund half of the fee in the form of a coupon for future Epson purchases. Find out the details at http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/Recycle/RecycleProgram.jsp
Environmentally conscious users of small electronic devices now have an alternative source of power. The iSun is a hand held device from ICP technologies that allows users to charge cell phones, laptops and mp3 players using only sunlight. It can even be adapted to charge AA and AAA rechargeable batteries. For more info go to http://www.icpglobal.com/
[06] LAW
“Three strikes and you’re out” is a phrase that has moved from baseball to prosecuting individuals convicted of criminal activity, and now in California, will be applied to corporations as well. In April the California Senate passed the Corporate Three Strikes Act (SB355), which prevents companies with two felony convictions against them from doing business in the state, if they are found guilty of a third. The details of the first two convictions, which can be from any state, must be published in full-page newspaper ads at the company’s expense. (source: LA Times 4/30/03 via Victoryiscertain.com)
Copyright laws, long the bane of musicians and artists, found an unlikely victim when the FBI tried to bust a white supremacist on weapons charges. A search of his home uncovered no weapons but revealed a stack of T-shirts with a modified Nike logo that read “Nazi”. They charged him with copyright infringement. (source: Christian Science Monitor 5/22/03)
[07] FOOD
When parents send their children to school they expect them to be filled with knowledge. If they eat school lunches, however, they will also be filled with more saturated fat than the US Dietary Guidelines recommend. The folks at CHOICE (Consumers for Healthy Options In Children's Education) are working with parents and educators to offer healthier plant based alternatives to traditional school lunches. Learn more at http://www.choiceusa.net/
More reason to avoid the “mystery meat”…the U.S.D.A. has lifted a ban on the use of irradiated ground beef in the national school lunch program. The effects of the irradiation, which is used to reduce disease-causing microbes, have not been fully studied and according to some experts could pose health risks to the 27 million children who participate in the program. (source: Environmental News Service 6/2/72) Advocacy group Public Citizen, which opposes irradiation, has provided a helpful online resource at http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/food_irrad/
What if you were accused of misleading and deceiving the public by telling the truth? That’s just what is happening to a small milk producer in Maine. Oakhurst Dairy includes a label on their products that informs consumers of their commitment to use no artificial growth hormones on their cows. This labeling, which is common to many organic dairy products and is even featured on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream containers, has the Monsanto Company up in arms. They have sued Oakhurst and are seeking an injunction to prevent them from using the labels. Monsanto is worried that consumers might think their product is dangerous, a claim many critics have made of the FDA approved rBGH. (source: New York Times 7/13/03 by way of Organic Consumers Association)
[08] SHOPPING
One of the most difficult parts of being a conscientious shopper is keeping up with all the latest corporate dirt. So what if there was an easy to use device that could give you such information just by scanning a bar code? Well it doesn’t exist…yet. The folks at Adbusters have set up a forum whereby technologically savvy folks can discuss the details of making this a reality. See where they’ve gotten at http://adbusters.org/campaigns/opensource/greenscan/. And while you are waiting for the finished product check out one MIT student’s Geiger counter solution called the Corporate Fallout Detector at http://web.media.mit.edu/~jpatten/cfd/
(Thanks to listmember Coryndon for the CFD link)
[09] HEALTH
Non-stick pan users beware. The DC based research organization, Environmental Working Group, has recently published a study of the effects of PFCs (perfluorochemicals). These toxic chemicals can be found in many everyday household products, including things that contain Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchgard and Gore-Tex. One of the effects that EWG had discovered was that, even when used under normal conditions, Teflon emitted a toxic gas that killed pet birds and caused illnesses in humans. The EPA has already banned one member of the PFC family and the EWC has the data to show why the rest should be treated with equal concern. Read the full report at: http://www.ewg.org/reports/pfcworld/ (thanks to list member Napi for passing this along)
[10] MEDIA
Taking the form of visitor’s guide to Jamaica, Stephanie Black’s film Life and Debt tackles in microcosm the complex issues of Globalization. The history and role of the World Bank/IMF in shaping Jamaica’s current economic situation is deftly told in this well-made documentary. Both powerful and enlightening, Life and Debt makes clear the damaging effects unrestrained free trade has already had on our world. Ask for it at your local video store or visit http://www.lifeanddebt.org/ to find screenings.
Leonard DiCaprio and Massive Attack fans share at least one thing in common, they like “carbon neutral” performers. Dozens of musicians, actors, and artists have offset the carbon monoxide emissions of the work they do by planting forests. The UK based Future Forests, which helped these artists improve their environmental standing, also give the fans an opportunity to support their favorite artists by paying to have additional trees planted in their forests. Find out more at: http://www.futureforests.com/
[11] BOOKSHELF
The drawings in Joe Sacco’s “Palestine” disarm readers with their accessible cartoon-like style. However, this comic book is anything but comic. It covers the complex and emotionally charged issues surrounding Israel and Palestine by immersing the reader in a world few in the US have experienced first hand. Based on interviews with over 100 people made during his two-month stay in Palestine, Sacco does not attempt to sway the reader, but rather shows his own attempt to grapple with the complicated and difficult lives of his subjects. A worthy read for anyone interested in this region, regardless of political position. Look for it at your local independent book or comic book store.
Canadian Harry Potter fans will be happy to learn that their favorite wizard is not a tree killer. That’s because Canadian publisher Raincoast Books agreed to print the latest book on 100% recycled, endangered forest free paper from New Leaf Paper (http://newleafpaper.com/). Heartily endorsed by author J.K. Rowling, the edition will save nearly 30,000 trees from destruction in the Boreal forest and Canadian rainforests. Currently only 5% of paper used in the US is recycled. Non-Canadians can purchase the green version of “Order of The Phoenix” from online booksellers.
(source: Environmental News Service 6/20/03)
[12] NOSH
A New Zealand writer has found a unique way to prove that current measures against terrorism aren’t working. He’s building a cruise missile in his garage. Made entirely out of readily available components he expects the project to cost less than $5,000. The local authorities are monitoring the situation, but have made no attempt to stop him so far. (source: Christian Science Monitor 6/9/03) Watch his progress at: http://www.interestingprojects.com/cruisemissile/
And also from New Zealand, a TV broadcaster has issued an apology for the “completely unintentional” mistake that appeared on viewers’ screens June 18th. What happened? A picture of George Bush was shown on the nightly news with the following caption “George W. Bush – Professional Fascist.” Human error was cited as the cause of the problem. (source: WorldNetDaily 6/19/03)
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The ALR Designletter is a semi-regular update on the activities at Another Limited Rebellion design, the world of socially conscious design, and beyond. You are on this list because you have worked with, contacted, or have a personal connection to ALR design. The names on this mailing list will never be sold or given away. If you no longer wish to be on this list, just respond with "REMOVE" in the subject section and there will be no hard feelings. Back issues can be found on our web site in the ISSUES section.
Sources are listed when information was found in one specific location. However, articles are not quoted verbatim in this newsletter. The addresses provided below are to encourage further reading and support of these fine publications and information services:
The Environmental News Service: http://ens-news.com/
Christian Science Monitor: http://csmonitor.com/
Mother Jones: http://www.motherjones.com/
Organic Consumers Association: http://www.organicconsumers.org/
Victory Is Certain: http://www.victoryiscertain.com/
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