SEED Program Produces Graphic Design for Huron County Economic DevelopmentConsumers Energy Foundation recently awarded the Huron County Economic Development Corporation of Bad Axe, Michigan a $5,000 grant to initiate a new project focused on Michigan's creative class and the local manufacturing sector. The project; Manufacturing/Art, is prototype effort that seeks to link arts and design colleges with Michigan's small manufacturing companies.
"The project started with an idea of how can we work with our small manufacturing companies more effectively," stated Carl Osentoski, Executive Director, Huron County Economic Development Corporation. "Our small manufacturing companies are unmatched in their talent, but they kept telling us that they needed design assistance." he added. The Manufacturing/Art project looks to partner these local manufacturing companies with students at Michigan's colleges and universities. The project is currently working with Northern Michigan University's SEED (the Studio for Experimental and Eco-Design) to establish the protocols that will allow art and design students to work directly with the manufacturers and regional businesses.
"We are pushing the boundaries with this effort, we are adapting as we move forward. The students will learn how to manufacture their designs, all of the complexities and the companies will be exposed to new markets and new product lines that they may not have even thought about." Osentoski added.
The first project under development by Professor Jane Milkie and her graphic communication students from the School of Art and Design at NMU will be to develop a brochure featuring a map of area farms in the Huron County region of Michigan. The brochure will be in print and later expanded to a web resource. Visitors will use the guide to travel throughout the region to area farms enhancing the economic potential of the region, supporting local farmers and sustainable agriculture. Pictured are Professor Jane Milkie (standing) and student Brianna Bader.
www.huroncounty.com/
Graphic Communications
art.nmu.edu/department/graphic_comm.html
April 09, 2009
The New Studio for Experimental and Eco-Design (SEED) Opens at NMUThe new Studio for Experimental and Eco-Design (SEED), inaugurated at the beginning of the fall semester, provides a focal point for students, faculty and the community with a broad spectrum of information and exposure to current practices in design (e.g. technology, ethics) and economic and manufacturing strategies from a global perspective including the offering of lectures, symposia, joint ventures and international travel. The center incorporates an interdisciplinary approach that includes Design, Business and Sustainability. Entrepreneurs interested in developing prototypes of products can contact professor Peter Pless, the director of SEED at 906-227-2194 or ppless@nmu.edu. Pictured at right is student Zachery Luhellier's prototype for a snowplow resistant mailbox developed for a SEED client. The studio is located in room 173 of Art and Design building on the campus of Northern Michigan University. See the links below for additional information about SEED.
NMU Communications and Marketingnewsbureau.nmu.edu/printrelease.cfm?storyID=4099
Marquette Mining Journal
www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/513199.html
Human-Centered Design
art.nmu.edu/department/human.html
January 25, 2009
