the Practice of Sustainable Design

This graduate course, "Practice of Sustainable Design," explores the history, principles, and evolving approaches to sustainability in design. It emphasizes systems thinking, life cycle analysis, and the integration of ecological, social, and economic considerations into the design process. Students learn to critically evaluate sustainability principles, address large-scale environmental impacts, and design for sustainable behavior while considering human habits and ethics. The course equips designers with the tools and frameworks to create innovative, responsible, and impactful solutions that align with the interconnectedness of natural and human systems.

Place-Based Paint Making

This graduate project explores transitioning away from petroleum-based acrylic paints in artist studios to reduce environmental and human health impacts. It examines the lifecycle of acrylic paints, highlighting their reliance on fossil fuels, mining, and microplastic pollution, and proposes sustainable alternatives through place-based paint making. By sourcing local, renewable materials like earth pigments, botanical dyes, and agricultural waste, the project develops water-based paint recipes that are affordable, compostable, and easy to create. The initiative emphasizes deep ecology, responsible sourcing, and community collaboration, encouraging artists to reconnect with nature, reduce waste, and foster sustainable practices in their creative processes.

This is only a portion of the research for this project and does not include recipes that were prototyped.

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