Kristen Baumlier

A couple of years ago I attended a conference at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA and saw a presentation by Mariana Amatullo, who founded the college’s initiative called Designmatters.  Designmatters is a professional partnership program, where research collaborations, communication campaigns, exhibitions, and publications are created in order to contribute to creating solutions to critical problems.  Some past projects have partnered with the American Red Cross, the City of Lost Angeles, FEMA, the Department of Public Information at the United Nations and other groups.

One project that was done this past summer was called Goodwill: Upcycle lifestyle.  The goal of the project was to create a visual and tactile experience for shoppers at Goodwill retail stores that was reflective of Goodwill’s reuse and repurpose model.  Students were assigned to use recycled materials such as wood, computer parts, textiles and other industrial items found in Goodwill’s stores, recycling, salvage and processing areas.

Another aspect of the project was to develop ways to leverage Goodwill’s community-strengthening programs. The organization not only provides training and employment services to empower individuals with barriers, but Goodwill’s stores, donation processing centers and donation sites also serve as training grounds to provide supportive work experience and on-the-job training.

Over a period of three months, students worked in the areas of re-branding, upcycling, budgeting, and repurposing materials in order to support Goodwill’s mission.

Some of the outcomes of the project included:

– transforming the store’s existing fixture system with solutions ranging from rolled-up t-shirts arranged on a wall in pixel art-like patterns to seating created out of jeans and woven inner tubes.

– Creating  large billowing ribbons of upcycled materials (home-made paper, used VHS movie boxes and t-shirts) that would direct customers within the store, but extend the experience to the stores window displays and into the parking lot.

– Creating modular and mobile do-it-yourself workshops that take place both within stores and that can also extend the Goodwill experience beyond the store to parking lots throughout Orange County.

-Creating a style guide for store themes which would embrace both upcycling and the local culture of individual stores. Some of this rebranding included  themes related to Orange County culture including “SoCal Summer,” nautical and rockabilly designs.

– Redesigning the spatial experience for Goodwill of Orange County’s retail stores, with a focus on social responsibility, environmental awareness and making a positive impact on the community.

– exploring the concept of Goodwill teaming up with another well-known brand (in the case of the final presentation, apparel company Vans).  The idea involved creating exclusive events, pop-up stores and limited edition merchandise to create buzz for both Goodwill and their collaborators.

Currently the Modular (do-it yourself) Workshop Stations are bing built so that they  can be implemented later this year by Goodwill of Orange County.

Pictures from the project can be seen the Designmatters website.  Goodwill plans to try out more of the ideas this year – so if you are in Orange County, get ready for Goodwill to have a new look and feel.

Image Source:
www.designmattersatartcenter.org- Goodwill: Upcycle Lifestytle Project

Links:

www.designmattersatartcenter.org- Goodwill: Upcycle Lifestytle Project