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Designing for Good – Social Responsibility

  3. Designing for Good – Social Responsibility

Rākau Kōrero – respecting Māori culture

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When Māori perspectives are not sufficiently valued there is a general suppression of the culture on the one hand and an appropriation of it on the other. GSM talks to Johnson McKay about how creatives can navigate the use of Māori culture in a meaningful and respectful manner... — with Nā Johnson McKay @Ira Welcome to the first instalment of our new regular feature Rākau Kōrero—Talking Stick. In Māori tradition, a ceremonial carved walking stick—a Tokotoko, represents authority and the status of a speaker on a Marae. For GSM, the concept of Rākau Kōrero—is the stick will be passed from speaker...

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The Lost Time Project – Will we ever catch up?

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The Lost Time Project

Disparity in pay between men & women within the design industry equates to a staggering 15.5%! Two kiwi creatives decided that if numbers weren't enough to initiate change, then maybe a more graphic approach would. The ‘gender pay gap’ describes the difference in median hourly earnings between men and women. This gap currently sits at 15.5% for the design industry. These confronting stats, along with their involvement in the exhibition ‘Present Tense: Wahine Toi Aotearoa’, inspired Alice Murray (associate partner at Pentagram) and Lauren Priestley (Creative Director at Redwood BBDO) to take action. They got together, over a Friday night...

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Pro Bono Design for Charity – to do or not to do?…

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Pro bono

In GSM10 we caught up with Mandy Nelson from G&A Creative Agency to discuss the Pros and Cons of Pro Bono work for charity. Our question - Does providing free design to non-profits devalue design services, or add value to a good cause? I often ask myself if working for nix is worth it. The only possible answer is a definite ‘maybe’! It depends on your viewpoint - I want to unbundle that question. Pro Bono Work for a Charity I am settlor of the Full Colour Trust as well as joint owner of G&A Creative Agency (G&A), provider of design...

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Incorporating Te Ao Maori in our Creative Work…

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GSM13

Ma Te Mohio Ka Marama - Through Awareness Comes Understanding For graphic designers in New Zealand, when a client requests a ‘kiwi theme’, it’s only natural to reference Te Ao Māori, the Māori world. But, what if, without realising it, we misappropriate the culture? To feel more confident about incorporating Te Ao Māori into our creative work and to better understand the cultural significance of what we do, GSM13 talks to three Māori who specialise in bringing their culture into the world of design. JOHNSON WITIHERA Johnson has a Ph.D in Māori Art & Design and is co-founder of Indigenous...

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Uashmama – Sustainability & Washable Paper

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Uashmama Washable Paper Bags

In GSM10 we looked at a very different use for paper - washable paper! It is a story of family, a cottage industry and sustainability. How a unique washable paper, that feels like leather but washes like fabric, rejuvenated a village. "On a small Tuscan terrace eating under an umbrella of grapevines I discovered the 'Le Sorelle' bread bag. Today we know it as UASHMAMA", explains Casey Languillon, co-founder of UASHMAMA Australia. Le Sorelle (italian for the sisters) is a small family run company based in Montecatini, Italy. It all came about when four sisters embarked on a journey to...

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An Eco-friendly Alternative to Bubble wrap

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Geami Greenwrap Eco-friendly Alternative

When it comes to caring for the environment making just one small change can have a positive effect on our world! David Goodrich and Michael Hurwitz’s are great believers in this. What they didn't realise was that their one small change would actually become a business venture for them. They were looking for an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap. Their business was to safely transport glass containers of blood. But, they didn't want to use plastic. There had to be an eco-friendly alternative. Alternative to Bubble Wrap Together, they came up with the idea of using cells to dissipate shock....

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MATE ACT NOW – Driving Climate Change

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MATE ACT NOW is a co-ordinated response of over 150 designers from some of the world’s top creative studios. It's initial aim was to drive climate change in response to the 2019/20 Australian bushfires. However,  the global outbreak of Covid-19 recontextualised it to something bigger! GSM talks with Chris Flack, from Strategy Design, Christchurch, about the reasons why he initiated “Mate ACT NOW”, how it all came together and what the response has been… Chris, you’re obviously passionate about saving the environment but why did you decide a poster campaign could help? [caption id="attachment_4679" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chris Flack[/caption] We had...

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Environmentally Friendly Packaging – Eco 6 Pack Ring

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Plastic waste is a severe problem around the world. As we strive to move to a Circular Economy innovative companies search to replace plastic with environmentally friendly packaging. Here's an example... One of the major offenders is the plastic six pack ring. We've all seen images of turtles or birds ensnared in them. But it's not just the visible suffering of the animals which is of concern. The hidden danger is what happens to the plastic as it breaks down.  More than 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean every year. As it breaks down, research suggests...

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Innovative Printing and Social Responsibility

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Printing with Citronella Ink

Here at GSM magazine, we like to research innovative ideas for the use of paper and printing. We call it The Big Idea. In GSM12 we see how a daily newspaper in Sri Lanka used ink to combat Dengue Fever. According to the World Health Organisation, dengue fever is one of the most rapidly spreading diseases on the planet. This mosquito-borne virus causes a severe flu-like illness. In some cases it can be fatal. In 2014, Sri Lanka experienced an epidemic of the disease. This prompted the government to initiate National Dengue Week. Printing for the Social Good Mawbima is...

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