ARTX-C1008 - Sustainable Design, Lecture, 24.4.2023-5.6.2023

Products and services communicate sustainability with different means. Labels and product standards are formalized and often quantified 'proofs' of sustainability. However, visual and textual means can also indicate sustainability in less formalized ways. For this exercise you should search for representations of sustainability that are interesting, surprising, unconventional and perhaps also controversial.

Semiotics is a study of meanings, language and communication. You can find inspiration for this exercise from reading Susan Vihma's text in the reading list. She e.g. distinguishes iconic, indexical and symbolic meanings attached to products.  

Exercise: Select one product/service that communicates sustainability effectively, interestingly or in a contraversial way. Submit a single file by Monday 8.5. at 12 with needed images and short paragraph (appr 200words)  of what you think is going on in terms of communication and meanings related to sustainability.