Lights. Camera. Action.

I would like to expand on a previous post that was based on the concept, “The rediscovery of wonder”.  If people are naturally curious, fulfilling the “being” quality through imagination and creation, then how can we tap into that while at the same time making people aware of their poor sustainability habits?  My answer is through entertainment.  We all like to be entertained by things around us.  Thus, my concept of addressing consumption will be a series of moves all interrelated that proposes an educational component of change.  In short, by manipulating and changing the stories we tell ourselves, we can alter the story of our sustainability.

The specific consumption behavior I would like to target is one of overconsumption.  This is important because put simply overconsumption is the state of consuming too much of any one thing (food, fuel, etc.).  According to the, Design Activism reading this address is important for over-consumers because they need to adopt and implement eco-effective strategies within their lives.  Thus, awareness must be raised to a broad audience in order to show the real impacts of over-consuming, as well as, new ideas on how to live a better life.

The company, Walt Disney has had an interesting journey since their founding in 1923.  Their timeline since has been one that includes animated movies, all-live actions features, theatrical features, radio pictures, theme parks , publication, cable network plans, a video collection, television syndication block, magazines, merchandise, partnerships, video games, etc.  Obviously a company that as of 2012, has had an 89 year run and still going strong, has a reason its successful.  They have made smart business decisions allowing them to tap into multiple venues, diversify themselves, and ENTERTAIN their audiences without fail.  This same concept needs to be incorporated into educating sustainable solutions, a concept of social change.

We need to develop fantastical solutions to everyday sustainability problems.  This further needs to take place by educating viewers without them every feeling as though it was forced upon them.  Through the implementation of films, video games, publications, etc, sustainability education would not be limited to one arena of concentration.  Thus, as the reading offers, we could focus on communication by information.  Within movies this could be projected within the subcategories already offered, including exemplifying the “ideal habit”, redirecting theory and practice, and communication by story.  Different strategies can also be implemented through this variety, such as the critical strategy which sparks discussion or debate.  The series of change could begin with a movie, but it doesn’t have to end there. I would like you to imagine the areas Disney have had success in to this concept of design activism. 

As I conclude my last blog, I would like to reflect on what I am really taking away from this course.  In short, I am taking away a hunger to learn more.  Over the past few years I have been eager to learn environmental design concepts, but never have thought how extensively I could implement this into being a designer or how I could perpetuate change.  As an interior designer I can take steps to incorporate sustainable strategies into my designs.  This begins with choosing environmentally conscious products and last through designing efficient buildings themselves.  I plan to practice these smart decisions, as well as, become a “LEED AP” or a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional.