Compostmodern

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.”^[1] 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.”

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 America (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^[2] 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.

References

1. ^ http://www.worldchanging.com/archives//004032.html
2. ^ 2008 Speaker Podcasts

http://www.dexigner.com/news/21567 http://inhabitat.com/tickets-for-compostmodern-2011-are-now-on-sale/

External links

• Official site
• San Francisco chapter of AIGA — the professional association for design
• AIGA — the professional association for design
• Academy of Art University School of Graphic Design—Unconference
• Phil Hamlett—Modern Composter