Institute for Sustainable Communication
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Sustainable Communication, (ISC), was founded in 2003 and is a non-profit organization that is devoted to sustainability
through the printing, digital media
and advertising industries. These fields are known together as Graphic Communication
. ISC prepares graphic communication leaders to advance their businesses with sustainable innovations. This helps in generating jobs that not only satisfy the customer, but are environmentally friendly as well. ISC has developed three programs that assist in broadening the use of sustainable business methods: fellowship and mentoring, research and consulting, and education and outreach. ISC is an advocate for transforming businesses into organizations that decrease the cost and environmental impact of business media.
on the environment. A company's carbon footprint is determined by the human effect on the environment through green house gasses, paper waste, and pollution of volatile organic compounds found in inks. The footprint is measured in units of carbon dioxide
. Through these consultations, ISC provides a variety of evaluation reports for graphic communication businesses, guiding them in becoming more environmentally friendly.
(AIGA) from June 2004 to May 2005. ISC also created an online survey by which they collected data regarding print-related issues. Sixty-five AIGA chapter leaders, members, and vendor representatives completed these surveys. ISC found that if AIGA was able to reduce heavy weight and high volume book projects, they would be able to greatly reduce energy and resource consumption.
, and packaging industries.
department the opportunity to become acquainted with new technology and business practices that will inspire companies to produce their product in a more sustainable way. The presentation included venues for all types of media, from printers and publishers to educators and students.
Presentations included key concepts of making business sustainable, tracking the economic “footprint” of communication media, and pushing the government and major industries to include sustainable measures in their business plans. In order to reduce the pressure that the graphic communication industry puts on the environment, companies across the world will need to adopt new programs for energy use, as well as alternative production materials. Also, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act has put more pressure on printers to develop new ways to go about business and to be leaders of innovation throughout the world.
" of the GreenMedia Show Boston, Massachusetts, On October 1–2, 2008,
“Special Events.”.
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
through the printing, digital media
Digital media
Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of...
and advertising industries. These fields are known together as Graphic Communication
Graphic Communication
Graphic communication as the name suggests is communication through graphics and graphical aids. It is the process of creating, producing, and distributing material incorporating words and images to convey data, concepts, and emotions....
. ISC prepares graphic communication leaders to advance their businesses with sustainable innovations. This helps in generating jobs that not only satisfy the customer, but are environmentally friendly as well. ISC has developed three programs that assist in broadening the use of sustainable business methods: fellowship and mentoring, research and consulting, and education and outreach. ISC is an advocate for transforming businesses into organizations that decrease the cost and environmental impact of business media.
Consultations
The Institute for Sustainable Communication provides consultation services to existing graphic communication businesses interested in generating new jobs, becoming trained in new industry skills, and improving their carbon footprintCarbon footprint
A carbon footprint has historically been defined as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.". However, calculating a carbon footprint which conforms to this definition is often impracticable due to the large amount of data required, which is...
on the environment. A company's carbon footprint is determined by the human effect on the environment through green house gasses, paper waste, and pollution of volatile organic compounds found in inks. The footprint is measured in units of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
. Through these consultations, ISC provides a variety of evaluation reports for graphic communication businesses, guiding them in becoming more environmentally friendly.
AIGA REP Report
The ISC observed 37 print projects consisting of 540,000 printed pieces. These printed articles were supplied by the American Institute of Graphic ArtsAmerican Institute of Graphic Arts
AIGA is an American professional organization for design. Organized in 1914, AIGA currently has more than 22,000 members throughout 66 chapters and more than 200 student groups nationwide...
(AIGA) from June 2004 to May 2005. ISC also created an online survey by which they collected data regarding print-related issues. Sixty-five AIGA chapter leaders, members, and vendor representatives completed these surveys. ISC found that if AIGA was able to reduce heavy weight and high volume book projects, they would be able to greatly reduce energy and resource consumption.
Piper Jaffray REP Report
In August 2004, Piper Jaffray Companies invited ISC to help find a solution for reducing waste, cost and environmental impact. ISC created the REP Pilot Program for PJC, which consisted of providing customers with sustainable practices in the printing, publishingPublishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
, and packaging industries.
AIGA Print Design and Environmental Responsibility Report
The Institute for Sustainable Communication teamed up with the American Institute of Graphic Arts in order to develop a guide to sustainable business practices. The guide is titled "Print Design and Environmental Responsibility," and it helps designers reduce the impact of design on the environment.The Business of Green Media
On January 24, 2008, the Institute for Sustainable Communication participated at SustainCommWorld’s Green Media Show at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The conference gave the members of the graphic artsGraphic arts
A type of fine art, graphic art covers a broad range of art forms. Graphic art is typically two-dimensional and includes calligraphy, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, lithography, typography, serigraphy , and bindery. Graphic art also consists of drawn plans and layouts for interior...
department the opportunity to become acquainted with new technology and business practices that will inspire companies to produce their product in a more sustainable way. The presentation included venues for all types of media, from printers and publishers to educators and students.
Presentations included key concepts of making business sustainable, tracking the economic “footprint” of communication media, and pushing the government and major industries to include sustainable measures in their business plans. In order to reduce the pressure that the graphic communication industry puts on the environment, companies across the world will need to adopt new programs for energy use, as well as alternative production materials. Also, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act has put more pressure on printers to develop new ways to go about business and to be leaders of innovation throughout the world.
The Green Media Show
Institute for Sustainable Communication was the "founding sponsorSponsor
To sponsor something is to support an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services. A sponsor is the individual or group that provides the support, similar to a benefactor.-Definition:...
" of the GreenMedia Show Boston, Massachusetts, On October 1–2, 2008,
“Special Events.”.