A Better World by Design Expo Showcases Creative Innovation

What do the <a href="http://www.halfproject.org/">1/2 Project</a>, Easy Island, <a href="http://www.new.zambikes.org/">Zambikes</a> and <a href="http://designglobalchange.virb.com/">Design Global Change</a> have to do with each other? All utilize good design as a tool for positive change. Besides offering a wide array of panels and workshops, the <a href="http://www.abetterworldbydesign.com/">A Better World by Design</a> annual conference gives students and budding professionals the chance to present their ideas, businesses and products to the public at their yearly Expo.

At this year's Expo, <a href="http://www.new.zambikes.org/">Zambikes</a> presented their light-weight bamboo bicycle produced in Zambia.

Design Global Change displayed a series of flashcards that form part of the <em><a href="http://www.na.sappi.com/aboutus/news/2010-09-09">Bringing Girls into Focus</a></em> project.

The back of each provides a short paragraph about women's important roles in rural communities throughout northern India.

Easy Island presented their newly released line of plates and bowls produced from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areca_nut">Areca nuts</a> in south India.

Rather than relating the idea of giving to disaster, the 1/2 Project aims to scale down and have it become an integral part of everyday purchasing decisions.

Through their design of a variety of common containers such as milk cartons and plastic bottles that are physically halved, they hope to that consumers will buy knowing that they are foregoing half their purchase in the name of a better cause.

A series of <a href="http://designerjournals.com/">Designer Journals</a> by Karl Heine are made from eco-friendly materials.

<a href="http://feltandwireshop.com/seller/designerjournals">Customers</a> can chose between various covers made from up-cycled Italian leather, 97% Natural, Marmoleum Solid linoleum that comes in a range of textures and colors, Mohawk Loop Straw or a durable wetsuit like material.

For kids or those with a more playful taste, a series of colorful, fun characters by <a href="http://khyal.com/">kHyal</a> form the <a href="http://www.weatherskwirl.com/">The Weather Skwirl</a> collection. The creatures are made of recycled plexiglass one at a time in Manhattan.

The winner of this year's first annual Consumer Design Challenge was the Trilife Ecotray by <a href="https://risd.digication.com/portfolio/sitemap.digi?sid=2&amp;cid=0&amp;tid=0&amp;pid=35184&amp;sort=orderid&amp;dir=asc&amp;navigationid=620248">Angie Lee</a> and <a href="http://queeniefan.com/">Queenie Fan</a> of RISD.

The tray is made of bamboo fibers (60%) and plastic (40%). It fits snugly over the forearm and is FDA safe and biodegradable.

Runner-up McKenzie Powers of the Art Institute of Boston presented her I Am a To Go Box which is modeled after the classic to-go box but instead of paper, silicon makes it re-usable, flexible and fun.

The eco-cup is another product sold by DCI that was on display at the Expo. It is a ceramic cup that has a re-usable silicon lid and sleeve.