I have probably mentioned the Utrecht Manifest before, however revisiting the socially conscious exhibition site this month, I couldn't help but find further visual inspiration from the Lovely Language exhibition.

A truly refreshing website, initiative and exhibition, that truly bridges the gap between contemporary graphic design and global communication.

In the 1920s, the Austrian sociologist Otto Neurath (1882–1945) developed an international visual language, for which the German-Dutch graphic artist Gerd Arntz (1900–1988) designed more than 4,000 pictograms. Neurath’s motto – ‘words divide, images unite’ – is the point of departure for the Lovely Language exhibition. Lovely Language presented Neurath and Arntz’s visual language and the way it was employed as the basis for the development of an international visual language.

• Featured Image: Mindless by Pippo Lionni.


• Via: Lovely Language, Utrecht Manifest 2007.

The AWEARNESS Blog provides daily updates under four socially-aware pillars of discussion: Social Rights, Well-Being, Political Landscape and Hard Times.

"This blog hopes to raise awareness around the issues that fall under these four areas in a dynamic and engaging format. In addition to regularly updated news and commentary under these topics, the blog also includes Q&As, original content from Kenneth Cole himself and contributions from staff members of Kenneth Cole Productions."

Via. DesignNotes.

In the face of a dangerous climatic tipping point, we stand on the verge of a behavioural turning point? Or do we?

Downing and Ballantyne's 2007 report, entitled Tipping Point or Turning Point is a worthy read into the reality of ethical consumer attitudes and their resistant behaviours to embrace more sustainable lifestyles.

In the high street consumer are confronted with more and more sustainable choices – HSBC is suddenly a green bank; Marks and Spencer’s has its Plan A; Ikea doesn’t give free plastic bags. At the ballot box David Cameron wants the public to “Vote Blue: Go Green”. Arnold Schwarzenegger has traded movie stardom with investigating the US’s flagship low carbon policy, while Al Gore, when not directing Oscar-winning documentaries on climate change, is organising global rock concerts.

Maybe we’ve made it then. Scientists are at a virtual consensus. NGOs convinced, politicians persuaded, and business on board. Surely then, the debate is over. In the face of a dangerous climatic tipping point, we stand on the verge of a behavioural turning point? Or do we?

According to recent MORI results into consumer attitudes to Climate Change, ‘irrespective of cause’, 88% of the public believe that the climate is changing, however, only 46% believe human activity is the primary cause. The report is a valuable read, with plenty of reality checks into the ethical attitude-behaviour gap, occurring amongst UK consumers.