30daysconsuming-blog

[30daysconsuming-blog]

My pop can holders are the worst of the worst when it comes to packaging.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 30

  Done, almost. One more post. My consumption was lower that I thought it would be due to my not being on the move as much. When I have eaten at a restaurant it hasn't been fast food so much as a meal. Restaurants are starting to place food in decent earth friendly containers. 

  The products that I have consumed have ranged from bagels, granola bars, pop can holders, chip bags, and the outside cellophane style wrapper on the microwave popcorn I like. These are just a few examples. Candy wrappers are another large category. My solution to the granola bar wrappers is to buy granola out of bins at the grocery store. The issue with that is that is no matter how many choices I have for granola I am going to be a consumer and want the bar form of the  goodness of granola. So I end up getting both. 

  When I went to Saint Paul College I took a few science classes and learned more in depth how much the Earth and our world needs to be cared for. This blog has started me thinking more and more about solutions to the issues at hand. How can I as a designer change things for the better. I love that tomato skins can be used to make packaging. I love that packaging that protects a shipment can then be reused for something! Vertical plant growth makes greens more accessible to another demographic. Solutions are out there and people are thinking about them and now pushing forward towards the solutions that could save our world. 

  My consumption was in the category of electronics and tv. I also consume coffee more than most foods. It is a daily occurrence. My TV and Netflix consumption is very moldable depending on the order of priorities. The priorities don't always win and sometimes I end up sipping my first cup of joe while watching Netflix. The two things together give me double comfort. I am entertained and enjoying a tasty drink. This makes sense if I compare it to movie theaters. They are now offering seating that resembles couches. Also the whole idea around paying 100 dollars for pop and popcorn is that you get to enjoy good treats while being entertained. I can do this at home on my own and thats the emotional connection to my consumption.

  My splurchase claims to be eco friendly, use tree free paper, and generally a very earth environment conscious company. The redesign will be complicated by the fact that in the earth friendly department the company sis very well. I feel like I purchases a decent product already and i haven't even held it yet. Ah the anticipation of use value. I will continue to move and grow within my career as a designer. I hope to be part of solutions and revolutions. Culture, society, and the economy will always play a role in design for me.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

My splurchess was the Ecotools Enhancing Eye set of brushes

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 29

  Yes, the blog is getting harder as the days go on. I am also oddly attached to it. I like writing anyway. I was having a disconnect when trying to connect this course to design. The last few readings have really helped connect design with consumerism, culture, and the economy. I also enjoy logo design so this weeks reading topics are very interesting to me. 

  When we looked at the comparison of the older logos vs. the new ones I felt nostalgia for the older version of the Morton Salt Girl. I liked the old logo. It reminded me the consumer of when I was younger and my mom would buy the round canister of salt with that logo on it. I know companies prey on the consuming public with emotions like nostalgia. I also connected to the group saying that an older generation may be even more resistant to new logos on long used products. It is true that sometimes a logo change is for the better. I hope to part of that winning team someday!

  As I look at my consumption in the last 29 days I have to say that my consumption of quick food products in crappy wrapping is less than I thought it would be. I have a few reasons for this that make perfect sense. The first that I have been at home more than planned due to cold and snow in the last month. Not traveling to and from school and work makes a huge difference in the foods I consume and how/what they are made. At home we love to cook! I’m a baker at heart. So getting fresh ingredients is a positive thing. The prices of fresh ingredients that we want and consume are really irritating. Besides other contributing factors we are getting more and more unhealthy due to poor food choices. these food choices are a forced part of a low economic family for example. A single student, or a bachelor in his 80′s are eating at burger joints getting deals on sodium and fat laden sandwiches because they can get three of them for 6 to 8 dollars. Growing your own fresh food sources is great...unless you live in an apartment, dorm, or efficiency. 

  I am excited about the solutions that are coming forth for those humans who want to grow at least some herbs and have little yard or space. Vertical planting is one great solution. There are also many seed kits you one could purchase. Now that I think about it I don’t know that the seed kits that come with plastic pots are that great for the environment when they are being produced. 

  The library. I went out to the mall closest to were I live this afternoon with a dear friend. I was really enjoying being a consumer. I really love to shop! My friend and I were discussing how much we liked the feel and smell of a book in the hand. No Kindle, or screen. Paper or stone, scrolls to computer printing books have been a part of society and culture forever. Libraries are not as popular as they oncer were. People especially the young can't be bothered to get their information from anyplace other than the internet. I love to hold a book in my hands, and I love quietly strolling around libraries mumbling to myself about certain novels or magazines. Magazines are a whole new topic with me. As far as magazines go I use them for reading, entertainment, recipes, and art. I have many. I don't know how evil the process for getting these magazines off my hands might be. What happens after they hit the recycling center? I don't always understand the scope of the consumption of myself not to mention the rest of humanity.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 28

  I am lucky. I guess the meaning of lucky is super susceptible to the moment, and person. I am lucky because I was gifted time to work on homework and portfolio review prep tonight instead of being at work! I had to go grocery shopping today and as a consumer really thought about how come wax coating is placed on so many fruits and veggies. I looked it upon then and found out that was has been used for a long time to coat produce. It obviously makes the fruit shine. I didn’t realize that it helps keep the moisture in better. I don't know if I believe that it helps keep the produce from bruising. It’s a super thin layer and the wax is kept in check by the FDA. I just don’t see the point... It seems that now days there way to go with wax application is to spray the produce from above as it moves past on a belt. 

  Many foods are modified now days. Chemicals, not using proper storage for the type of food, and genetics can all play a role in the product the we put into our bodies. I consume coffee every day but haven't thought in depth about what that means in consumption to the Earth? I’m going to say it’s going to to a hell of a cost. I don’t think I I can grow coffee beans in our environment. They need a much hotter and more humid climate than here. We all need that. More snow is apparently on the way...F$#%   !!

  I consumed sunshine today and it was amazing. Vitamin C. I ate at a pizza buffet for lunch. It was a great break in the busy day and was also amazing. Again the cost to get that pizza to my plate was probably high. I was more thoughtful and even more content to eat and enjoy the meal. It felt like more of a gift. I like to stay mindful and in the moment but it’s so hard. Considering the pathways of consumption does help me slow down and enjoy some of my consumption more. Not a bad thing at all!

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 27

  So more snow might be coming. I feel like I have consumed more than enough snow. Lots of necessity consumption from the consumers at my register today. I don’t know if it’s because of it being Sunday, and people are preparing for the week. I usually go through the grocery store on the weekend. I wonder what the busy times are at the store? 

  No consumption of media besides some texting and tv news. Been busy, and that affects tech consumption so much for me. I did consume pre packaged foods at work today. I’m consuming fuel again tomorrow for transportation to and from class. I am also going to try and sleep a little extra tonight. Sleep consumption is great! I would like to consume some music this week as well as some free time reading. 

I am planning on going to the MIA on Friday. I’m excited since I have never been there. I guess this would be consumption of culture. Art too. Creation. Very fun. I purchased a cilantro seed packet today so I can begin growing soon. I love cilantro and it will be great to cultivate it from a seed.

  I visited McNeal Hall this weekend with a friend and U of Mn alumni. I need to sketch. I also really enjoy the view over the fairgrounds and past them. You can see the Cathedral of St. Paul, and a ton of other fun stuff. The hall is so quiet in the evenings and on the weekends. I suppose I did consume some part of the energy, electricity, and whatever else it takes to keep the hall running on the weekends.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 26

  I have been sketching. I love to sketch. I have sketched my whole life. I’m not talented at it and have always had trouble with perspective. I spend a lot of time erasing my heavy pencil marks. I wonder how much the eraser takes to make and get to my hands? How are erasers made? I hope to put out enough energy in the next week or so to finish this sketch. 

  Went to lunch with a friend at a restaurant that has very fresh natural ingredients. Thinking about it now, It doesn't mean the food came from a sustainable source. It was delicious though. Doing laundry, consuming the water, electricity, heat, and whatever else happens when you use the washer and dryer. I try and hang dry as much of my laundry as is possible. Also I do hand wash a a few small items. I know that takes less h2o than the full wash cycle. I use cold water wash. I have a high efficiency set. Little things do add up. I think dryer sheets are on the way out in my house. They are not friendly to the Earth and they only really serve to make the clothing resist static. I think I can figure out a different static fix. Dryer balls might help as they are reusable. 

  Consumption of gas for travel was a thing today but at least there were 2 of us in the car. I also consumed some technology yesterday in the form of phone games and Netflix. Tech use of TV has been down. Phone consumption is down a little but not much. Definitely, my heavy usage category. We all rely on our phones so much now days. I get sucked into phone usage as I don’t like the process of calling people. I love texting to communicate. I use the phone to sooth myself if I’m feeling anxious. Pictures of my cats are great. I can surf the internet on the bus. This is how I get sucked into usage of technology. I rely on the internet as much as the next person. However, I am more than certain that I can live without it. 

   I also love reading. I have never owned an electronic reading device! Won’t do it. I love the smell of the pages of real books. I enjoy visiting the libraries and have great memories of doing so with my mom from the time I was little. I will always strive to own books and bookshelves. Books are the original information resource. They communicated knowledge and entertainment for the better part of history. I hope that books don't fall by the wayside as the world hurries to find more technology and speedy solutions.

  The discussion from class and our group presentation was interesting. The internet wasn’t around until fairly recently in the span of all time. People and societies have lived for centuries without it. Books, word of mouth, letters, and hands on work made a huge difference in how people learned and communicated. It is not necessary now either. I fear that if society continues on the the tech path it is on the next few generations are not going to be able to function without internet. Self sustaining life is a great link to our future. 

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 25

  Five days left on the blog. I wonder how much more consumption I will have of the products with crappy wrapping? I have been doing better with bringing my food with me on the go and at work. I am using the plastic container route. I remembered that I like buying granola from the bins at my store. Probably because of the Quaker Oats and bulk sales that used to be big! I have started the reading and it looks like packaging is becoming a thing as we move into the next reading. 

  Packaging can be made from some organics. Wooden water bottles and packaging from mushrooms. So fascinating. Intro to design thinking started to talk about the idea of natural things being used for humans betterment. Biodegradable wrapping design is another thing I love. The silverware in the student center is biodegradable. Restaurants passing rules to require the to go containers to be recyclable or biodegradable. I have also reused to go food containers that are made of plastic and have covers.

  Currently we grow colored peppers, and three breeds of tomatoes. One year we grew squash and it went insane in our garden. I don't think I could eat that much squash in a whole lifetime. I do enjoy sharing the produce with neighbors and friends. We also make trips to the farmers market and love it. I want to grow more produce. Try berries and green beans. Also herbs would be nice. We have the garden space. We could grow them in pots, however we have active ass wildlife in our yard! They move fairy garden pieces around the trees. And I think the squirrels stole our suet feeder. 

  I am also wondering how much of a footprint, paw print, having a pet and the pet itself make on the Earth? I have 2 cats and I know that the litter causes issues, and that’s not counting the plastic bin that it comes in. The buckets can be reused. They create waste but eventually it degrades. Which reminds me we also have a compost pile. Its the favorite of dear in the winter as it insulates them. My fiancé works as an engineer at a school and runs the boilers. The fuel used to run them isn't great but when well maintained they aren't as damaging as they could be. Keeping them literally clean helps as we'll. Not good anyway. He also oversees the the Food to Hogs program at school trash, food goes into one barrel, milk and bottles go in another bin for recycling. One 55 gallon barrel is on average 2/3 full in a average day. That food is then shipped to a farm were it is fed to the pigs. 

So many things that I consumed today. Food has been made at home lately and I love that. Homework and knowledge was my big consume today. No Netflix but lots of technology through my phone and computer.  

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 24

  So, I have made my splurchase and will head towards starting my paper. I have consumed some emotion today for sure. Our group nailed the presentation and made decent sense out of a complicated reading! Nerves are always apparent in things involve speaking in front of a group! I am also exhausted and tie

  I take public transportation every day so I am aware of the crap that ends up in the environment from the city bus. I also liken my consumption of quick foods to the article I Want That. In the presentation Lucy discussed the excess of people and resources that it takes to produce a single box of cereal. Having a nice dinner at home for Valentines Day I started to think about the ingredients that go into it and where they all came from in the world. I am also thinking about a remark from another student in another class. She stated that there are hardly any sustainable foods! She is in a class about the topic, so it was okay to believe her ; )

  I know that food requires resources, labor, people, money, agriculture, farmers, and....on it goes, the semi trucks and drivers, the farm equipment. Thats a lot of strain. I wonder what goes into making my splurchase of makeup brushes? I also learned in peer review that the makeup brushes are decent. The student has used them. The package says eco on it. Hmmm

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 23

  I am hot on the topic of the splur-chase! I wanted to buy with abandon but when your mind id aware that you are trying to shop without thinking all you do is think about the purchase. I tried to go to William’s Sonoma as well as Micheal’s but nothing spoke outright to me to buy it. I love shopping and it’s unusual for me not to have a gut reaction to any products.

  Finally I decided to head to Walgreens after work. I figured that the store would be pretty empty to take pictures and film. I was right except for there pre- Valentine’s Day customers. I chose to go after work because I knew that I would be worn out from my shift physically, and had dealt with enough customers of my own that I could freely shop with abandon. It actually worked out well. I had a feeling that it might be a health and beauty item that spoke to me and as I wandered around the store I seemed to be drawn to that section. 

  I don’t spend a lot of money on makeup. I’m a mascara and eyeshadow girl. I love tinted gloss and Bert’s Bees lip care. Those are the few beauty products that I can justify (once in a great while) spending extra cash on.  I like to stay simple. As I approached the eye makeup I was drawn to the make-up tools. I passed over the sponge blender tool for base makeup. I already have an eyelash curler that I ignore daily at home so that was a no go. Next my eyes landed on a pastel green package holding eye make up brushes. Immediately I was drawn to them. I wouldn’t normally buy this type of item. I already have the  tiny plastic and cotton applicators that come standard with almost all eyeshadows. You can even purchase the little applicators in a multi-pack. It only costs a few dollars. Why would I spend money on these? 

Because it was a splur-chase!

I consumed food throughout the day. I also had a glass of wine. This actually has me thinking about wine and how it is made. I know grapes and harvesting. Hmmmm...another blog perhaps

[30daysconsuming-blog]

My consumption of quick foods has led to more trash! The green bag in the middle of the image is from the Gopher Spot store in the St. Paul Student Center. The bag is biodegradable and I felt like including it to show that other packaging is useful and possible among the trash wrapping!

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 22

  So apparently our blogs need some more thought behind them. So I am going to choose to talk about the idea of sexualizing a products packaging. This entices the consumer to imagine the use value of the commodity. Here it begins. This obsession with the commodity and it’s use value. Is the packaging plastic and translucent? Is it a pane of glass barring you the consumer from touching this all coveted product? A plastic package that allows for the viewing of the commodity might be molded to fit the contours of the product. This may bring on a sense of sex appeal...yes, from packaging.

  What is the packaging made from? Shiny to dull, color or none? It is all designed to bring the consumer into wanting the product more and wanting the full possession of use value. We want to possess the commodity, hold it in our hands, use it. Products generally disappoint weather they are expensive or cheap. 

  The consumption I used today was food of course and all the chemicals, plastic, packing, that go with it. I grow my own tomatoes in the summer, as wells colored peppers. I want to be more self reliant with all the foods I consume. This would help with packaging from quick foods because the vine is the packaging of the tomato. I think that a ripe red tomato can be just as alluring as a slim curvy package.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 21

  3 weeks into the consumption blog. The biggest hinderance to mass packaged quick foods is the lack of time. I spend days either away from home or at home but have class 4 days a week. Being on the city bus daily I need to carry my life with me in my backpack. This means I am more prone to taking pre-packaged foods. Not only are theses foods not as nutritional as a pre made snack or meal, but the waste they create is awful.

  I think that the other hinderance to my consumption is lack of planning. If I don't buy the ingredients to make my own muffins or trail mix, I consume the mass produced foods. If I plan I can be prepared to eat a healthier more satisfying meal that won't damage the Earth

  My complaint is that with the amount of on the go and mass marketed foods, I would think that the producers could make the packaging more user and environmentally friendly. It’s improving some but needs more work. I am off to observe more customers purchases to see if they are shopping practically, emotionally, or both.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 20

  I am 10 days from being done with this consumption journal. I am noticing consumption a little more in daily life. What I noticed today at work was what people bought. In relation to the reading, I Want That, I paid attention to what people bought today and if they bought things that they needed or desired.

  Many people purchased mainly what they needed. Things like health and beauty products such as soap and deodorant, medications and diapers. I was surprised by the number of people who evenly divided their wanted products and their needed products. 

  I have consumed work and conversation today. I also consumed some news and a little TV. The news is a touchy consumption. I prefer to consume my news from sources like newspapers. I am old school. I have been lucky enough to turn my drying wood pile in my back yard into warm bright fires in my fireplace. I am dissecting the readings for the week as the Unwrapping Use Value article gets very wordy in some parts. I have not had had time once again to watch ant Netflix. I have discovered that TV is a comfort for me. I have tendencies to over consume my entertainment!

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 19

  Consumption begins at such an early age. I am aware of this but had several things happen today that made this more obvious. First off I was watching a TV special on Fred Rogers. He had brought up that in dealing with younger children he had noticed that they are bombarded with images and objects from a very young age. He chose to keep his show, puppets, as well as the set, simple.

  The next thing that happened is that I consumed the second article and it also make a point of the sad fact that small children are becoming tiny little shoppers at a very early age. For children shopping is an unmarred magical experience. The packaging is designed to draw the child in. Packaging usually draws me in also!

  I don't remember my first shopping experience. I do love to shop when I can afford it. I am a huge thrift store shopper which the article states makes me a certain type of shopper. I am proud of my deals. I have that intimate relationship with objects set before me in the store. 

  My consumption today was vehicular, sugar, I haven't been watching Netflix the last two days. School has started to amp up and I don’t have time. If I am strong I won't watch : ) Time and consumption are so closely related.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 18

  I got this up a day late, but it’s alright because I’m still creating it now! Consumption doesn’t stop very often if you think about it, even when we sleep we consume oxygen, space, and time. 

  I will be consuming some conversation time with a friend and some family. This is a nice consumption. I feel as if the world is consuming my time faster than normal because of all the demands in me at the moment. Speaking of which I will consume work tomorrow and by doing so will help others in their consumption journey.

  I enjoy consuming natural elements. For example the cool evening air or having a fire in the fireplace. I love to be in water in general. I love to hike and climb. I adore walks in the cool calm woods. The consumption journal does remind me that the elements and Earth need to be cared for every day.

[30daysconsuming-blog]

Day 17

  The readings are wordy : )

  Im not into the reading this week in some places in the text but then I realize that Im enjoying the next paragraph. I really think that the consumption of some of the knowledge within the reading is overstated and repetitive. This is the reading that I have to complete for our group presentation lol

  My consumption has continued to remain home cooked in the food department and I have yet to go on my splurchase trip. I’m excited to see what I end up getting.

  I am consuming more shoveling than I planned on, but the exercise has been amazing. It helps me consume more knowledge because I have a chance to take a break from sitting and studying/designing.