Sustainable Systems: S.O.S. NYC

Throughout this semester Sustainable Systems has become a platform to introduce creative thinkers and designers at Parsons to study conditions of our planet’s life and translate research for solutions of our ecosystem. Each class this semester has forced students to openly talk about and develop ideas that can be carried over the next three years in New York City. Sustainability in the large and chaotic hub that is New York City can be hard to tackle, but as leaders and thinkers of the future, climate change, experimental materials, energy and water are problems that can be solved through good design.

Towards the end of this semester, when beginning to think about the knowledge I have gained from this course, I asked myself, how can I contribute to solutions within my major and future career path? As a communication design major, although the majority of my work for the next three years is digital, small actions like conserving paper and the utilization of recycled goods can benefit our planet. The ideas of my work can have a strong standing against the harm of our earth, creating and designing a product that has meaning that stands against climate change and pollution can evoke a heavy impact on the audience. As a designer, making sure to push an environmentally friendly product is crucial, especially in the city, where there is an abundance of waste, an abundance of pollution and an abundant population of 8.6 million.

The teachings and experiences from our field trips this semester have been significant, seeing issues locally have proposed many questions of, how can I do better for the city and for the world? Although, the purpose of this class has been to introduce environmental issues for creative solutions, there are small everyday lifestyle ways to alter the ramifications of our planet’s state. These small ethical solutions can make a major impact if more than a few people had guidance on the small ways to live a sustainable lifestyle.

S.O.S. NYC, is a pocket-sized zine with film photographs I took walking the streets of the city, I designed as a guide to small ways you can help our planet. The first page is a list of local markets that promote local agriculture and benefit these small organizations. The second page is a list of my personal favorite thrift stores around the city, the support of these local businesses decrease the harm caused by fast fashion, the unethical labor environments, the synthetic materials and the pollution emitted from factories and traffic of importing these articles. One of my favorite parts of New York is the likelihood of walking and finding new places to explore, both used bookstores & art stores are one of many benefits of living in a city so immense with culture and arts. The last page is a messy map of parks of New York, a place where you can stroll and appreciate this earth we live on and reflect on the importance of living green and clean! S.O.S. NYC has been printed on recycled paper! Overall I wanted to create and design a zine that stood as a campaign for sustainability in the city, but showcasing the pleasurable angles of this.

New York has provoked many subculture revolutions and will always continue to do so, I was inspired by the non-conformist Punk movement in the 1970’s, my final project S.O.S. NYC, celebrates a time that was pro anti-war, anti-racism, free-thought, gender equality, issues that are still present today, embodied through art and music. In many ways, this attitude reflects the frustration towards the disregard of climate change & energy. Because of this movement’s presence in New York, punk became an anchor for the overall attitude of my final project.

 

 

 

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