Art and design among other things, such as culture, etc

Creative Review posted a link to this video.

The interviewer walks around and spontaneously asks people questions about Graphic Design.  It really is astounding how few people know what the profession is.  It’s not like we are asking what is postmodernism, or some other obscure theory, etc.  Maybe we designers really view the world with tunnel-vision.  Maybe that’s our problem, we are assuming that everyone will understand the true power of design.  Our audience, the people we are trying to communicate to, don’t have a clue who is on the other end.

Most everyone in America has been in an asphalt rectangle, delineated by perpendicular white lines known as a parking lot.  And most have seen which spaces are designated for expectant mothers and people with disabilities.  It makes perfect logical sense to provide a parking advantage to people that have a harder time walking than others.  Also, if an expectant mother happens to be going shopping in her third trimester, then of course these little parking perks make her life easier. We have quietly accepted these social constructs and complied with the rules while we continue to seek the closest possible spot near our destination.  We slowly drive our motor vehicle passed the handicap spaces down and up the many lanes searching for that perfect spot.  In the end, the less fortunate ones have to suffer through the extra 20-30 yard walk to their destination.

Located in Savannah, Georgia, there is a shopping plaza called Abercorn Common.  It was built by local developer, Melaver, Inc.  Melaver’s principle mission is to provide us with sustainable buildings that are better for the environment.  Abercorn Common is no exception, as it is the first Retail Center in the United States to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified through a program set up by the  U.S. Green Building Council.  Great, Melaver did what they set out to do.

It does not , however, make logical sense to give preferential parking to consumers who drive a more environmentally friendly vehicle. Which is what Melaver and the Abercorn Common complex did.  After the recognition that the building itself received, It seems like these signs were just an afterthought.  You know, just something to try and put the icing on the cake.  But I think it was just too much icing.  It really would be naive to think that someone driving a big SUV would drive past one of these spaces and think, “Oh, well I guess I should retire this old hog and get a new hybrid.”  To them the sign is almost as ridiculous as saying, “See, people with handicaps can park here, if you disable yourself at your own expense you can park in these bright blue spots anywhere.”

I realize that it might be an incentive to show people that driving a hybrid not only saves you money on gas and is better for the environment, but you can also get parking perks at select shopping plazas.  The only problem with that is it’s really not much of an incentive at all.  If you remember, we have already accepted the fact that some people can park closer than others and we have dealt with the extra trek to the entrance. People in this country are so set in their ways, so stubborn, even with gas rising above $4.00 a gallon, that they will not change.  They have been doing this for 50+ years and a parking space sure ain’t gonna change ‘em now.  The problem with this sign is not what it is saying but how it is saying it.  Because what it is saying is “Drive hybrid vehicles.”  but the presentation of this statement in the context of a parking space is disheartening to think that we are resorting to things like this to get people to realize it’s time for a change.

Atlantic Monthly has a wonderful article by Lisa Margonelli discussing the possiblity of termites helping humans produce a renewable type of gasoline called cellulosic ethanol.  It’s a provocative article that alludes to the production of the new ethanol in the near future. Who would have thought?  Its extremely exciting to see such innovative ideas spring up when we, as a country are in such a desperate need of it.  And its also exciting to think of the possibilities of the new companies’ brands and marketing material.  The notion of running our economy on “sawdust, lawn clippings and old magazines” is unique and deserves some new forms.