Worldstudio

The Urban Forest Project banners hanging in Washington, DC and Tacoma, WA.

A series of 100 banners were recently installed in the heart of Washington, DC, the latest city to collaborate with Worldstudio on The Urban Forest Project. This innovative environmental, public arts initiative is being presented by District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in collaboration with AIGA DC, the Corcoran College of Art + Design, and the Downtown DC Business Improvement District.

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Jason McDaniel is used to printing killer letterpress invitations and cards. And it’s not that he doesn’t love his work at Dallas’ trendy Miss Q Press, but when McDaniel was invited to participate in The Feedback Loop project, he thought it would be fun to challenge himself to do something outside of his normal routine.

So he letterpress-printed a journal, something he’d never before tried, the sales of which will benefit kids all over the country.

Mohawk Fine Papers and Design Ignites Change teamed up recently to create The Feedback Loop, a project using the new Mohawk Loop grade as a catalyst for change. In exchange for free Loop paper from Mohawk, twenty-five leading letterpress printers, including Missing Q, were asked to create fifty unique notebooks. These limited editions books are now being sold in a special storefront on the Felt & Wire Shop. 100% of the proceeds will go to Design Ignites Change to support the youth mentorship program School: By Design.

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With the first in a series of planned executions of The Urban Forest Project recently launching in Albuquerque, Fast Company explores the history, genesis and future of the initiative. Focusing on Worldstudio’s expertise in creating and implementing socially-responsible projects and programs for corporations and non-profits, the article uses The Urban Forest Project as a case study to follow Worldstudio’s process in helping their clients connect to key constituencies in lasting and meaningful ways. The article, written by Alissa Walker, was published as part of The Designers Accord case study series.

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Most current efforts in the “social design” space encourage designers to donate time and resources. Although giving one’s talent and time is certainly honorable, it is not a sustainable model. Beginning in January, Worldstudio will begin offering workshops to groups interested in learning how to fund non-client based solutions. The workshop will provide an overview of various funding models and strategies for supporting self-initiated social change work.

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Worldstudio is delighted to announce that the 2010 Design Ignites Change mentoring initiative will be developed and implemented in partnership with The Designers Accord, a global coalition of designers, educators and business leaders working together to create positive environmental and social impact.

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Banner designs left to right by Janice Arroyo, Katya Crawford, Tristan Pittard, Rudi Backart, Janice Arroyo and Jamie Jett Walker

The Urban Forest Project launched in Albuquerque, NM on October 1st with a kick-off event at the Open Space Visitors Center. Banners by local artists and designers are currently displayed on light poles throughout downtown Albuquerque. Each banner incorporates the form or metaphor of the tree, making a powerful visual statement about the environment. The city is using the project as an education and messaging platform for AlbuquerqueGreen, the city’s innovative environmental program.

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Core77, has tapped into a diverse group of contributors to publish Hack2Work, a collection of essential advice and tips for design professionals. With articles on topics ranging from process to staffing to client relationships, Hack2Work offers something for everyone – including a piece outlining tips for funding social change projects from Worldstudio’s Andréa Pellegrino.

Worldstudio is thrilled to be working with the City of San Francisco to launch the Urban Forest Project San Francisco this summer. Mayor Newsom recently announced the collaboration at Compostmodern 09 sustainable design conference. Read the full press release here.

The City is bringing this innovative banner program to San Francisco to raise public awareness around greening and tree planting initiatives and education. The Academy of Art University, Adobe Youth Voices and AIGA San Francisco are already on board as key partners on this community-based, public arts and environmental initiative. Once the banners come down, they will be converted into recycled products by students at the Academy of Art University, to be auctioned off to raise money for local tree planting initiatives and education.

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At a time when corporations need to be judicious with every marketing dollar, Worldstudio’s socially responsible projects and programs enable corporations to differentiate themselves in a crowded market by connecting with key constituencies in tangible and meaningful ways.

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DK Holland interviewed Mark Randall about the Urban Forest Project for Communication Arts‘ November 2008 issue. The article discusses the process of innovation by presenting several case studies including Dave Egger’s 826 National tutoring program and stores, Good Magazine, Need magazine and the development of the Urban Forest Project as a collaborative and sustainable public art project.

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