Designing for Social Equity

Design is a tool. It can be used for good, for bad or indifferent intents and purposes. Fortunately, the national conversation about design is increasingly focusing on the social impact of design.

In our little slice of the world it can be easy to overlook the things that design can address, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t issues or that we are not using design to address them.

As part of the Bauhaus centennial celebrations we have done a fair amount of looking back. And rightfully so, there is much to learn from the original school’s pedagogy, from the Paepcke’s humanist endeavors and countless other Bauhausish things.

One of the things we can learn from and push forward are the ways in which the Bauhaus confronted their contemporary social challenges through design (and in some cases could have done more).

To do that we will spend the evening looking at what is currently happening in the Roaring Fork Valley that uses design, art and more to create social equity at home and beyond.

We will hear from Lindsy Fortier of the Aspen Skiing Company, Leticia Guzman Ingram from Basalt High School, Jen Odegaard from Community Builders and Lara Whitely from CORE. Each of them will give a quick presentation about work they’ve done or hopes to do that addresses local challenges.

Then we will turn it over to the community, we want to hear from others who are working in these areas or see a problem that needs to be addressed through art or design.

The hope is that this conversation is the beginning of a new design ethos in the Roaring Fork Valley. One that honors the legacy of the Bauhaus, the IDCA and all the other rich design history we have. There is a quiet momentum building around our creative culture that seeks to use design as a tool for good. We hope you can be a part of the conversation.

Please join us on July 9th from 6-7PM at the Limelight in Aspen.

For more info check out bauhaus100aspen.org

Natural Firestarter

It’s probably no surprise that we love to camp. Being immersed in the natural world is itch that needs to be scratched pretty often. When we camp we like to keep it simple, but it can be difficult to decide what is important and what to leave at home. But when it some to starting a fire, we don’t know what we would do without fatwood. It’s the perfect, no frills, easy-to-use, all-purpose fire starter. We use it at home, when we car camp or when we backpack. It goes everywhere with us.

working with Bee Public

In the March issue of the Indianapolis Monthly magazine Visualingual is featured as the month’s maker. We are excited to be sharing our company and the steps that go into our biggest selling product. It is on newsstands now so be sure to pick up a copy. Brandon is very excited about his first shot as a hand model.

One of rising stars are the Bee Seed bombs. Which is a fun fact because the author of our maker feature was Kate Franzman. In addition, to writing for Indianapolis Monthly, she is a beekeeper, farmer and the founder of Bee Public.

Find your park

Coming up this August the National Parks will turn 100 years old. Parks like Yosemite were protected years ahead of the formation of the National Park Service. Yosemite was actually protected during the Civil War, but it wasn’t until 1916 that Stephen Mather was successful in getting the National Parks Service (NPS) created.

So this year we celebrate 100 years of service from the NPS. Of the 58 National Parks, we have been to a few parks as a family and Michael has knocked out even more on his own, his current count is around 15. Social media doesn’t quickly come to mind when you think of the parks, but NPS and the National Parks Foundation have found a way to merge the two with the #FindYourPark campaign.

Visualingual 2015 Gift Guide (KITCHEN EDITION)

For the third installment of our gift guide, we take you into the kitchen.

This holiday season, encourage the people in your life to get in the kitchen and find comfort in the act of cooking and sharing food with close friends with these gifts. Hopefully, you will reap the rewards from their time in the kitchen.

VisuaLingual 2015 Gift Guide (OUTDOOR EDITION)

For the second installment of our gift guide, we take you into the wilds.

 

Whether it’s the wilds of your city or the wilderness, encourage the people in your life to get off the beaten path and find solace in the company of nature and close friends with these gifts.

Driftless

Having our work included in a publication never gets old. It is especially great when that means learning about a publication that celebrates our own backyard. Driftless is a beautiful display of food, art and adventuring in the Midwest. The current issue is a continuation of excellent coverage of the assets of an often overlooked region. Featuring beautiful imagery and great writing Driftless reminds us of the value of holding a printed publication in our hands. Get cozy next to a fire this winter with a copy. Find one near you or order one online at readdriftless.com

Noted without Comment

A billboard promoting Blake “The Attorney” Maislin — I don’t think it means what he thinks it means. Spotted in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.

Little Free Library

Take a book. Return a book. What could be a lovelier, more neighborly gesture than a DIY library in your community? The Little Free Library is a network of small, weatherproof boxes, started in 2010 in the town of Hudson, WI and now spanning the globe, including a couple I’ve recently come across in Indianapolis.

Noted without Comment

Jesus was here, and he hears you — spotted in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.