Design for Climate Justice

(2 projects)

This graduate course, "Designing for Climate Justice," explores the intersection of design, social equity, and environmental sustainability to address the global climate crisis. It emphasizes the importance of relationship-building, diverse perspectives, and collaboration to create equitable and locally relevant solutions. Students engage with design thinking, systems thinking, and community-driven approaches to develop skills in empathy, communication, and responsible project management. The course critically examines the historical, social, and political dimensions of climate justice, focusing on empowering vulnerable populations, integrating non-Western knowledge, and addressing structural drivers of injustice through creative and impactful design interventions.

Diverse Economies

This graduate project explores creating a sustainable, community-driven alternative to the traditional art materials economy by replacing petroleum-based acrylic paints with locally sourced, renewable, and less harmful materials. It emphasizes hyper-localized production, using botanical dyes, food waste, and natural pigments to create place-based paints while fostering diverse economic models and community engagement. The project aims to empower artists to reconnect with nature, reduce environmental harm, and contribute to climate justice through transparent, regenerative, and collaborative practices.

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Eco-Justice Curriculum

This collaborative project developed an Eco-Justice curriculum for a local non-profit, focusing on environmental education, sustainability, and community engagement. The curriculum includes hands-on activities, crafts, and lessons centered around themes like water, soil, air, flora, fauna, and waste, aiming to foster ecological awareness and action. Participants learn about environmental justice, local ecosystems, and sustainable practices while engaging in creative projects like seed balls, water testing, upcycled crafts, and advocacy posters, empowering them to take meaningful action for their communities and the planet.

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