The above image is from a mail order catalog that will soon go out to Felissimo customers in Japan, so they can order the awesome clothing and home products made from the Hope fabric that I designed that is handwoven in Bangladesh. The page on the left shows these necklaces that are made from the fabric scraps to reduce waste and the little pendant is a golden bicycle wheel. What does a bike wheel have to do with hope and Bangladeshi weavers? Well, as it turns out — a lot. With money from the “Infinite Hope Fund” created by this fabric project, several of another Japanese product known as Cycloclean — bicycle-powered water filtration systems — will be given to the Bangladesh community. In fact, the company that designed Cycloclean, Nippon Basic, will apparently be starting up production in Bangladesh to save money and improve the local community at the same time. I just found this out Tuesday night.

The realization that what was already a super cool collaboration to provide Bangladeshi weavers with jobs (and incidentally there are now 300 weavers employed from this project alone, up from 30 before) is now unfolding into a focused effort to increase access to clean water significantly, and that this innovative generosity is coming from a country who suffered its own incredible natural disaster in March of this year that is still reeking havoc on its economy and physical environment, not only touches my heart, but also strengthens it and reminds me that big, important changes can happen and are, and inspires me to keep looking for ways to be a part of it.

If you catch yourself feeling pessimistic about the world we live in and where it’s going, or your own life even, just change what you’re paying attention to. There is so much to be proud of and happy about. Noticing that and experiencing it on a personal level can make all the difference in the energy you have for your own challenges, as well as to those around you. We can’t do anything when we are dispirited, but when we enjoy the meaningful successes in the world as our own, then we have the hope of the world behind us and everything we need becomes possible. On that note, dear Japan: Domo Arigato Gozaimasu. Thank you so much for your inspiring gifts to everyone. I love you and hope that 2012 will be an amazing year for you as a nation as you recover from the earthquake of 2011. Read more about Cycloclean via physorg.

It’s the night before Thanksgiving and while writing a friend I got on the subject of meaningful work and remembered that access to clean drinking water is the number one health/survival issue in the world yet I’ve done nothing about it in any way. So – this is a start, as well as the start of a new Thanksgiving tradition for me, to research a major humanitarian issue, raise awareness, and donate to a worthy organization that is making significant progress in alleviating the problem… because to me, true gratitude isn’t real as just a feeling, it’s got to be an act — of giving and caring and asking others to care too. And there are so many things to care about of course, but this is really the most basic, urgent one for the most people: according to water.org, nearly a billion people lack access to clean water. I’d like to congratulate PATH for their excellent progress in developing a new household water treatment filter, in collaboration with a wonderful company, Seattle-based Cascade Designs. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I hope everyone will read about your efforts and support them by donating or spreading the word so that one day we all can enjoy a Thanksgiving that is happy AND hydrated.

I’ve noticed (and blogged about) many architectural projects that push eco-friendly to  a whole new level. From MIT’s experiments with literal treehouse neighborhoods that grow and sustain themselves, to community schools submerged into lush landscapes, proposals for “living architecture” vary in complexity, but they share a simple theme: building with nature –instead of on top of it — is the way of the future…even if it takes decades to do it.

The Patient Gardener, by Stockholm-based VisionDivision for Italy’s Polytecnico di Milano Campus, is another example of this architectural wisdom, and I am excited to see the effect that it has, though we’ll be waiting a while to find out. But in a world that seems addicted to speed, I’m grateful for these sensible pioneers who are digging deep and slowing down. If you can, take a second to check it out.

How ironic that in a city of a million weavers, almost no one owns more than one item of clothing. Grameen Check, a fabric production initiative formed by Grameen Bank just a couple of years ago will change all that. I first learned of Grameen’s founder, the Nobel Prize-winning economics professor and social visionary, Muhammed Yunus, when I picked up his audio book from the sale rack of Powell’s in Portland almost a year ago exactly. I was preparing to drive across the U.S. to relocate closer to family, and Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism was the only audio book out of seven that I could get to play in my car. Thankfully, I was riveted, enthralled and inspired for thousands of miles and couldn’t get his ideas out of my head. Over the next few months I tried unsuccessfully to develop first a kid-focused nutritious snack business (The Rawleigh Lama) and then a community healing arts center (Boylan Heights Healing Arts) in my new home base of Raleigh, North Carolina. A lack of finances, partnership, and simply the process of transitioning to my new life proved too many obstacles to overcome at this stage. So it is extra exciting to have become involved in Professor Yunus’ vision anyway, by winning the contest to design the next Grameen Check pattern. And in light of those fresh disappointments, it’s even more meaningful that the theme of the contest was “weaving hope.” I feel so honored to play some role in this incredible endeavor which is serving the world in a practical way and simultaneously changing so many lives for the better. And I am so inspired by the good people I have connected with in the process, such as Haruko Smith, who authored this introduction to Grameen Check as well as this insightful interview with Kazuhiko Yazaki, the president and CEO of Felissimo Corporation of Japan. Read these stories and realize how you can be part of a global culture of happiness. Then check out pics of the handbags that Felissimo is making out of the new Hope check fabric. And stay tuned for updates as the line launches in January.

I just love simple ideas that actually improve things on multiple levels, as in the case of Madécasse: Two guys meet in the Peace Corps, notice that one of the poorest countries in the world also presents a business opportunity that benefits both the environment and strengthens the economy of the local cacao community. The result is truly delicious chocolate that we can feel truly wonderful about indulging in! Read more via fastcompany.com

Columbian architecture studio Giancarlo Mazzanti has committed itself to developing an optimally functioning,  low-cost, and sustainable solution for new schooling in impoverished communities: Timayui is the 12th of its kind over the past several years. Within these individual designs, the architects emphasize a need for neutral space that kids can use their imagination to transform; meanwhile the communities themselves are being transformed by this larger architectural mission of social renewal. Lots of great views and drawings via Designboom. Read the larger story in Architectural Review.

I had a knee-jerk joyful reaction to this bench, the concept, the look, the material – I just love it.  I wish I could find more info on it – specifically I want to know how they made those cuts. There’s debate about whether the design is too hospitable  for “critters.” I see their point, but hey it never hurts to expand your comfort zone to include more living things. It’s not that hard. And the payoff is greater relaxation for yourself. hm. In any case, I think it could probably come in handy in parts of the world where people are more used to bugs. They need cheap, easy-to-make, attractive public seating too I bet. Designed by Elena Goray and shown at DMY Berlin Design Festival 2011, see more pics on Design Boom.

I am constantly amazed at how one great thing (i.e.”conscious” choice) just leads to another…In this case, Indian non-profit group, ODAM, chose to use the glycerin from their biofuel production work in a soapmaking enterprise that would profit their community development initiatives. In continuation of their commitment to female empowerment, women from their self help groups run the operations. Enter Design Impact, another non-profit that partners designers with “innovative organizations and the communities they serve to develop life-improving solutions.” They brought the marketing/development know-how to get this soap ready to succeed in the global market. Read more about this inspiring story on their blog and then investigate their other worthy social design projects. Even in that small act, you’ll improve your own life in some way.

Stunning design by Copenhagen-based BIG Architects for an “academic facility” in Denmark which emphasizes nature and sustainability in their curriculum…totally awesome! I am so enamored with the field of living architecture and while this structure itself is not designed to be “living,” it is about as integrated into its surroundings as can be, and elegantly so. I hope this plan becomes a reality and I hope I get to visit it some day!

First of all, I love Dijon Mustard. Secondly, I love re-purposing empty buildings without using a ton of new resources. Thirdly, I think this new look is visually striking, instantly communicative of the new function of the space, and basically…super cool. As a collage artist, I just love putting a modern pattern on an old building! Leave it to the Dutch to be so brilliant. I wish this old factory was in my town.

Eleven New York designers show their love by participating in The Desk Project, an initiative by non-profit, Kids of Kathmandu, to support education efforts for orphans in Nepal; Above is the entry from  Brooklyn design studio, MADE. Read the stories, bid on a desk, marvel at the ripple effect of benefits that happens as one creative act of kindness leads to another. Great people can make a greater world!

APAK studio is an awesome illustration duo in Portland, OR. They designed this print for another super cool entity, The Working Proof, which promotes emerging artists and social responsibility by donating 15% of art sales to charities of the artist’s choice. (They are currently raising funds for disaster relief in Japan so check them out and buy a limited edition print while they last!) Proceeds from Grow Your Imagination (above) will go to 826 National, a network of 9 non-profits dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing.

This beautiful outdoor pavilion glows and blinks in response to air quality data as well as data reflecting public interest in the environment. AND – you can text it and it will text you back!

Living Light (Seoul, 2009) from David Benjamin on Vimeo.

Made of New York furniture is a fun line of furniture using reclaimed/salvaged New York timbers produced with as little machinery as possible. Love it! Collaboration between former creative director of Ikea Sweden and current head of strategic design consultancy Daytime Projects, John-Michael Ekeblad, along with furniture designer Jonathan Locke and timber-sourcing expert Brian Kane.
See more at coolhunting.

TERESA TUILLO is a creative business genius, powerful women’s advocate and my new hero….

When I happened upon COLORPLAY, I immediately wanted to share it with others but I thought it might be too commercial for the purposes of this blog – I really try to focus on good design with a social impact. Then I read the experience of the lady behind the work and learned she’s much, much more than a color expert and brilliant entrepreneur. From creating her own interior paint when she couldn’t find one that met her standards for human and environmental health, to engaging with microcredit organizations who focus on empowering women, Teresa is a model for design responsibility. And the humble passion that comes through in her personal statement just makes me want to meet her and give her a hug. Enjoy! There’s a lot to check out…I’m thinking about taking one of the upcoming color classes just to be in the presence of this fine lady.

This Japanese-born, New York artist has it all in my opinion. I don’t even want to write about it. Please visit his website and experience his work for yourself right now.

This beautiful calendar by Lene Mirdal is only 45 bucks! And the colors correspond to the seasons! Read more from fastcodesign.

I’ve always loved the play of light and shadow from nature outside on the artificial interior worlds we live in. Now London designer, Simon Heijdens takes this phenomenon to a whole new level with a geometric film that monitors light and wind pattterns and responds accordingly – it’s like being inside a giant kaleidoscope of nature! Read more and see it in action at Dezeen blog.

Design 21 covers the inspiring story of one town’s turnaround after the closing of a major steel mill left many citizens unemployed.

I love this project so much! A woman named Margaret Wheatley who has such a rich and incredible background of contribution I can’t even try to sum it up – you’ll want to read all the details on her bio page, has written an amazing book, Turning to One Another (first published in 2001, re-released in 2009). Now a rad design team called Big Ideas has started “1200 Posters,” a year long project based on lines from the book that results in gorgeous limited edition silk screened prints that raise awareness of this awesome lady, her ideas and her book, and also provide income for the poster artists themselves. This makes my day. I’m holding back happy tears because I have to make a bunch of phone calls now.

“Overall, the idea is to have happy, healthy and empowered women who make a constructive contribution to their families and to society…” Brilliant! Read the full scoop on this awesome organization via Design 21, a social design network.

Beautiful design out of reclaimed Doug Fir fencing apparently…read more via Treehugger.

The Villa Mecklin – stunning, energy efficient housing by the young, innovative Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkanen Architects.

Hélio by Léa Longis

Alfredo Brillembourg and Hubert Klumpner, founders of the non-profit research group-turned design practice, Urban-Think Tank, explain their approach to improving living conditions in the barrios (slums) of Caracas, including their vertical gym (shown above) and growing house projects and big plans for a music-education facility. Read the full profile on Architectural Record.

Talk about comprehensive design! This project, a traveling installation that is a collaboration between Droog and Marije Vogelzang of Proef Amsterdam, sloom.org and was part of the recent Pioneers of Change design festival in NY (put on by Droog), incorporates furniture, handmade items like tea bags and felt slippers, food from near and far, elderly people to serve it very slowly – atop reusable wooden serving boards with diagrams on them to show how far each food item traveled, with portions sized appropriately. I’ll leave the rest of the details  to the articles at EAT ME DAILY and Good Magazine but I just want to say I LOVE the idea of encouraging people to slow down in life and when they eat, to think about where their food came from and how much of it they really need, to appreciate the time and beauty of a hand-crafted item, and on top of all that – including the most precious people on the planet who are so often overlooked when it comes to anything fun, the elderly. I never knew my grandparents but am really drawn to older people. I’ve actually just started (finally) to volunteer at a retirement center and I think about the elderly in relation to design all the time so this project really inspires and pleases me. It has my gears turning because Portland (where I live) is such a perfect candidate to be a “Slow City” and perhaps could start with its own senior-run Go Slow Cafe. hmm…

I just can’t get over these Vietnamese garments! This is a picture from The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn, a collection of early color photographs taken by the French philanthropist to record the people of the world in hopes of promoting cross-cultural peace and understanding. His life story is as fascinating as his contribution of some 72,000 autochromes, taken “of the peoples of the world, for the peoples of the world.” I found this at CreativeRoots, a blog about art and design in countries around the world.

A Huo, a Guangzhou-born designer and street artist, helped create a photography project called, “Guangzhou Supports You!” that has turned out to be a very contagious way for citizens to express unity and love for their town. It’s a great example of how technology makes artistic collaboration between strangers easy and it excites me to think about where a unified, creative and positive spirit can lead. See photos and read the interview by NeochaEDGE…

Dan Phillips taught himself how to build homes out of anything and everything discarded so that lower-income people in Huntsville, Texas could have interesting – and environmentally responsible – housing. But to own it they have to help build it. Great article and slideshow in the NY Times.

A very inspiring article about young German architect, Anna Heringer, and her fusion of humanitarian ideals, sustainable technology, and traditional “by-hand” building practices.

I put this up not because I give a damn about Audi or how they resorted to such excess to commemorate their hundredth year, but only to pay tribute to the artist for a great concept and a stunning sculpture. And it’s worth considering what corporate sculpture on this scale says about the current cultural environment and what that means to you.   Dezeen has a great array of photographs from all angles…

…with specially designed “cuddle walls.” DeZeen covers Savannahuis by Dutch architects, LAM.

A fence with tree imagery built in and glasses made out of parts from a retro weight scale…I love the way Daniel Hulsbergen embraces pre-existing objects to derive an entirely new form. That’s a natural approach for any designer to take, but it’s worth stopping and recognizing because doing it well reveals a sensitivity to the meaning and beauty of the original object and also an appreciation for the human impact it already has and a desire to preserve that effect. To me, this is a respectful and positive way of thinking about design.

The public loves Fibonacci!

What to do with the empty big box stores left behind by fallen retail giants? Good question, and one which more and more communities find themselves forced to answer. Read this interview with professor, artist and author, Julia Christensen, for some unusual yet uplifting true stories from her new book on the matter.