segdDESIGN Sustainability Issue

Open publication - Free publishing - More graphic

The May issue of segdDESIGN No. 28/2010 — the Sustainability Issue — is now available.  If you haven't seen this yet, please take a look as you will notice something a little different about this issue.

The focus of this issue is on sustainability and environmental graphic design. The issue is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled-content paper (both cover and text). Processed chlorine-free and made with BioGas energy, the paper is certified by EcoLogo, the Forest Stewardship Council, and Permanent Paper. Also, it was printed using vegetable-based inks and zero-VOC aqueous coatings.  

The issue’s focus is on sustainability, including Guest Editor Naomi Pearson’s foundation article on Life Cycle Assessment and feature stories on model “green” EGD projects such as the Green Depot store, The Nature Conservancy’s Design for a Living World exhibition, and Portland’s TriMet transit system, among others. 

In tandem with the issue’s publication, the SEGD Sustainability Forum has launched its new SEGD Green Resource Ghttp://greenresourceguide.segd.org/, a site focused on sustainability and EGD. It outlines SEGD’s Green Audit approach, focuses on strategies geared toward sustainability, and provides a wealth of resources for EGD practitioners striving to minimize the environmental impacts of their work.

This issues is a true success and provides information, stories and content specifically related to EGD. 

Green Strategies for Sign Systems

The May 2010 edition of Sign Media Canada has a couple of good articles related to architectural and wayfinding signage. Grady Brown, president of ASI, wrote an article that was based on a seminar he gave at this years ISA conference in Orlando.

The article focuses on sustainability in signage and talks about the role signs have in LEED projects.

CLICK HERE to view

SEGD Green Resource Site Goes Live

Yesterday was the official launch of the SEGD The Green Resource Guide website. The Green Resource Guide website is the latest in a series of green initiatives by the SEGD Sustainability Forum, a group of designers, fabricators, and consultants committed to promoting sustainable approaches to environmental graphic design.

The new website provides green audits as well as case studies, environmentally preferable resources, a sustainability-focused bibliography, a glossary of green terms, related web links, and this Green Resource Guide blog.

The goal of the new website is to provide educational content and share specific information relating to the things that are being done in EGD and signage. The website will continue to evolve over time with more case studies and information.

Please share your thoughts, comments and any ideas you have for improving this site. A consistent theme throughout the industry has been that there are few resources on environmental issues that are specific to our industry. This new website is a huge step in the right direction and the more participation we receive, the more successful it will be.

http://www.greenresourceguide.segd.org/

conVerd’s Enviroboard™ Named Best Green Product of 2010 at ISA International Sign Expo 2010

ALEXANDRIA, VA – April 26, 2010 – In a showcase that included the latest in energy efficiency, low VOC, and other environmentally friendly products, one of the most routinely used in signage was deemed the most revolutionary. Enviroboard™, conVerd’s multi-ply, moisture-resistant, green alternative to traditional foam and corrugated plastic boards, was named the Best Green Product of 2010 at ISA International Sign Expo 2010.

Enviroboard™ is comprised of 10 percent post-consumer waste and 90 percent Forestry Stewardship Council-certified fiber. Its green benefits are included every step of the way, from its fabrication into composite material using water based adhesive system through its full recyclability after use. It is suitable for use in point-of-purchase, trade show displays, or in hanging sign applications.

Enviroboard™ was chosen the Best Green Product in a competition that allowed each participating company two minutes to present its environmentally friendly new product. Those who attended the showcase—held for the first time at ISA Sign Expo 2010—voted on the winner.

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Designing Greener Lighting

In this month issue of Sign Builder Illustrated, Jeff Wooten has written an article that focuses on LED's and how they relate to environmental issues including LEED. The article talks a lot about LED technology and addressees specifics relating to the LEED rating system which has been one of the missing links to many green related topics and article in our industry.

CLICK HERE to for the full article.

Inspiring,Green Donor Recognition Sign

The Yawley Family Inn, a home-away-from-home for patient families of the Children’s Hospital Boston, is about hope. So when ASI, New England provided a signage system and donor recognition elements for the inn, they selected “Ithemba,” part of 3form’s Varia line of ecoresins (40% recycled content, GreenGuard Certified) and one of its “Full Circle” products that encapsulates handcrafted materials made by indigenous peoples.

Ithemba features a copper and beaded pattern produced by HIV-impacted African women, giving them a source of income, and means “hope” in the Xosi language. The donor elements also incorporate tempered-glass panels that are updated annually and reinstalled. (Photo: John Gillooly)

Ultra Low VOC Paint

In sign industry, most materials and components require a top coat of paint or clear be applied to add color or to protect the material from the surrounding environment. The VOC emission of paints and inks is a growing topic, particularly in educational facilities and hospitals as indoor air quality is ever important.

Last week at the ISA Expo in Orlando, FL Matthews Paint introduced their new MAP Ultra Low VOC (MAP-LV) paints. MAP-LV paints are an environmentally friendly product that provides greater durability, gloss retention and hiding than standard acrylic polyurethane paints. MAP-LV limiting VOC to 50g/L or .4172 lbs/gal. The industry standard acrylic polyurethane VOC levels are 2.8-3.5 VOC and automotive grade water-based paints contain VOC levels as high as 461g/L or 3.85 VOC lbs per gallon.

To learn more CLICK HERE

EPA Spray Coating Rule - HAPs 6H Compliance

On January 9, 2008, the EPA issued it's final rule on the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources - HAPs 6H Compliance.

When this rule was issued many believed that it applied only to the automotive industry and that compliance did not extend to the sign industry. This initial assessment was incorrect and all companies that use paint or use a spray guns need to be in compliance by January 10, 2011.

GRC-Pirk Management Company, registered environmental assessor for the EPA, have partnered with the ISA and are providing free consulting service for ISA members. For more information on HAPs 6H Compliance visit http://www.haps6h.com/.

United States' First Zero Net Energy Community

You may have already heard about the University of California, Davis' ambitious quest to build the United States' first Zero Net Energy community. West Village, a 220-acre campus development that will integrate student, faculty, and staff housing, will also incorporate sustainable design features including aggressive energy-savings measures and a smart grid to generate, store, and distribute energy.

The $280 million project also provides a perfect learning laboratory for students in Tim McNeil's environmental graphic design course at UC Davis. McNeil, associate professor of design and director of the UC Davis Design Museum (and a member of SEGD), includes a component on communicating energy efficiency, green building, and sustainable landscape features. His students recently completed a project to develop a wayfinding and signage system that would inform people about the zero net energy features of the new community.

The class developed a self-guided visitor tour for the center of West Village to interpret the community's energy efficiency features and goal of zero net energy. This was expressed through the design of a family of six markers to interpret the information, and a wayfinding strategy connecting the signs to a system of logical locations on the site plan. We share some of the (impressive) results here. -- Contributed by Pat Knapp, SEGD

International Green Construction Code

Below is a link that will allow you to download and review the International Green Construction Code Public Version 1.0. There ia also a good review for reference.

International Green Construction Code

New listing on BuildingGreen.com

On 3.10.10 Nova Polymers and Vista Systems were added to GreenSpec under Signage - CSI Section 10 14 00 on BuildingGreen.com.

Nova's listing highlights the non-toxic, biodegradable characteristics of the photopolymer along with the the recycled content used as the base substrate in the NovAcryl products.

Vista's Modular Curved Frame Technology (MCFT) is highlighted for the way the aluminum sign system is manufactured along with all the benefits that goes along with the modular aspects of the system.

For more information visit BuildingGreen.com.

Green Sign Project in Virginia

Acorn Sign Graphics, Richmond, VA recently did a signage project for a building re-model which achieve LEED Gold certification. The client was the Virginia Association of Countries. Everything about this projects relates to the methodology of being green and showcases how signage can have a positive impact on LEED projects.

According to Beth Gillispie, President of Acorn Sign Graphics, " The architecture of the impressive four story structure, circa 1866, is ornate style reminiscent of Venetian Renaissance palaces. Fast forward one hundred fifty years....the new owner completes a major renovation of the building for his association headquarters and achieves LEED Gold certification.

Our Challenge: Create a cohesive system of signs using sustainable materials which might contribute to an Innovation in Design credit in the quest for LEED certification. Speak to both the old and the new, while being as "green" as possible.

Deliverable: Design, produce and install a prominent lobby installation to orient visitors to the green features of the renovation, as well as LEED educational signs throughout the building and on the roof garden to highlight sustainable practices. Also include room identification, wayfinding and historic and LEED plaques.

Something we think is cool: How green it is! Gorgeous 300 year old heart pine was reclaimed for the old beams of the building and used to create the sign faces. The lobby signage repeats the double arch shape of the original windows, with dimensional letters also made from wood. The text and design elements were printed to the substrate with UV-cured inks which emit no VOC's. Mechanical fasteners decreased the use of solvents and adhesives. The aluminum pucks and clamps add a contemporary touch - and are recyclable. Since the heart pine would not survive long in the exposed conditions of the rooftop garden, we scanned the wood and created a graphic printed on a long lasting dHPL panel. The sign looks like the interior signs, and the durability of the material (25 years) is another sustainable asset."