Carl Boyd graduated from UIC's ID program in 2000, and has worked professionally in exhibit and product design ever since. He interned at Prairie Fish, one of the nation's first design firms committed to green design. As one of the initial members of the Foresight Design Initiative (foresightdesign.org) - which promotes sustainable design and business in Chicago - Carl launched Chicago Green Drinks, a networking and education forum for professionals involved or interested in sustainability, which now draws crowds of 80-120 per month.

Carl Boyd and Liam Hawry are co-pilots of an ongoing project called Normal, which Carl started in 2003. They design modern, practical products that are locally-made, using sustainably-preferable materials and processes. The name comes from the realization that in the near future, products that embrace green design will be the norm.

Since debuting in November of 2003, Normal's products are now sold by retailers across North America, and have been featured in TIME, Wallpaper, New City, Chicago Tribune, Time Out New York, and several other publications as well as WTTW's Chicago Tonight. Their products have been exhibited at the Field Museum, Chicago Cultural Center, and the Big and Green Show, touring nationwide. Several have been selected for permanent collections in Vancouver at the 30 Days Sustainability Society, The National Building Museum in Washington, and National Museum of Scotland.

To learn more, visit normalstuff.net


"What are some new materials or technologies that are better for the environment that I could try to incorporate into my design work?"

There are now several mainstream bioplastics on the market, but resist the urge to spec them for durable products. Use them for disposables and packaging. There isn't enough arable land on Earth to grow all of our plastics and fuel. Whenever you are in the position to do so, push for local manufacturing. The positive impact it has for the environment, economy, worker health and brand appeal is far greater than any material or technology you could specify.

"I want to start designing and producing furniture on a small scale. Naturally I'd like to sell some, too. Can you recommend some resources to help guide me as I develop my business?"

Look up the Chicago Furniture Designers Association. It is comprised of designers who do just that. www.cfdainfo.org.

"I try to talk my clients into supporting eco-friendly design solutions, like low-impact materials and processes and simply producing less. I think it is my responsibility as a designer, but my boss has made it clear that I should keep my opinions and suggestions to myself. How can I convince him that it is worth pushing?"

Bosses at design firms are often less receptive to green design than their clients. So do what he says. Stop bringing up eco-concerns at meetings. Instead, bring up ideas that will increase profit for your client. Reducing production costs, and reducing eco impact are often done in the same stroke. Your clients really aren't in the business of generating more stuff, they are in the business of generating more profit. Think about ways that your client can make more profit from the sale of less matter. You can go into a meeting, impress your clients and your boss, and never let a single 'e'-word drop from your lips.

"I get depressed when I think about how everything I design will end up in a landfill. I know that's the cross every designer must bear, but what can I do to ease my conscious a little bit? I don't have a lot of say at my job about materials, so just "going green" isn't a realistic solution."

Your conscious has nothing to do with it. Sustainability is a survival strategy. Are you easing your conscience by choosing not to eat spoiled food? Many designers wield far less power to influence their clients than they realize. I went through this grief for years. That's why I started designing green products in my spare time. The fact that your product will someday end up as landfill should not be the focus of your eco-worries. The fact that your product's packaging already arrived at the landfill should be a bigger concern. Refer back to the previous question, and give some thought to what you can do for your client that also reduces overall impact.