URBAN SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STUDIO June 16 to August 12, 2009 Design and Sustainable Innovation A unique experiential learning program providing participants with intensive, hands-on, projects; professional networking opportunities; career advice and direction; and broad foundational knowledge via readings, field trips and guest speakers. The complete information packet & application will be posted by Dec. 2008. If you would like to be notified when it is ready, or have any other questions, feel free to email the USDS Program Coordinator at: usds@foresightdesign.org Timeline Tuition Contact Information FAQs Past Projects Previous Participant Comments PROGRAM INTRODUCTION: LEARNING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION What is required to foster a shift toward greater environmental, social and economic sustainability? In what direction should we evolve and how? What barriers to change exist and how can they be overcome? Developed over the past six years, Foresight’s Urban Sustainable Design Studio (USDS) empowers participants to become better sustainable innovators through a unique, experiential learning program. Through an intensive mix of weekly readings, field trips, guest speakers and hands-on project work, attendees learn about the sector and delve into the innovation process. Graduates of the program leave with a deeper understanding of Sustainability, the potential of Design to analyze and address systemic issues, and the many opportunities for, and barriers to, influencing change. More than creating environmentally superior products or buildings (i.e. Green Design), Sustainable Design seeks more systemic solutions. Sometimes called transformative or holistic design, this approach employs systems-based thinking and an intensively interdisciplinary process to develop innovation and effect change. Its methodology can be applied to a broad spectrum of social, environmental and economic issues, taking into consideration the often-complex web of cultural, political, economic, historical and psychological factors, among others. Successful past participants have come from a range of backgrounds, including humanities, natural and social sciences, and a variety of design disciplines. They have been united with their colleagues by their passion for understanding and pursuing sustainability, interest in realizing the potential of “good design,” desire to work across disciplines, and enthusiasm for working with like-minded others in a highly collaborative and exploratory studio environment. Examples of previous undertakings range from providing pro bono graphic design services to a local social venture enterprise to advising the City of Chicago on the creation of a comprehensive green business strategy plan. This summer’s projects, as detailed below, will be no less ambitious or diverse. If you are seeking experience specifically in green design, be it product, interior, communication, etc., a different program will probably better suit your interests. While Sustainable Design usually involves traditional design disciplines—as well as non-design disciplines—it often aggressively reaches beyond these boundaries. If this sounds like your ideal summer, we look forward to reviewing your application. --Peter Nicholson USDS Program Director TIMELINE EARLY DECISION Exact dates will be posted by December 2008. FINAL APPLICATION Exact dates will be posted by December 2008. 2009 PROGRAM Tuesday, June 16: Program Begins Friday, July 3: Holiday/Free Day Tuesday, August 11: Final Public Presentation(s) at Chicago Green Drinks Wednesday, August 12: Program Ends with Concluding Dinner The calendar is available online as a Google calendar. top TUITION Eight-week Session: Will be announced by December 2008. top CONTACT USDS Coordinator Foresight Design Initiative E: usds@foresightdesign.org W: www.foresightstudio.org T: (773) 271-1990 top