They were in need of a last-minute cover for their annual report. I tossed this together for them.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Just a little more work for SPEC
They were in need of a last-minute cover for their annual report. I tossed this together for them.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Working with SPEC still!
I've been doing a bit more work with SPEC, completing a series of posters and fliers we worked on this summer. Above is the invite to their Solar Workshops Series, and below is the harvest Festival poster.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Self Evaluation
The Millennium Foundation asks that grant recipients write a project evaluation once they've completed their work. I've been holding off a bit, continuing to do odds and ends for a few more people- but I think that this will continue for a while. So, with no further ado, here's what I thought about the project:
Rachel Grows: community development through urban agriculture
Were you true to your original vision? What did you have to modify and what happened that was unexpected?
My original vision for the project allowed for some wiggle room in the direction it too. This allowed me to adapt to the results of my research and networking. What I heard and saw was a need for community gardens to develop a stronger online presence, for several reasons:
-The healthy and varied urban agriculture community in Vancouver was not unified in any consistent way. The Internet is the ideal venue for creating these connections, because it allows for maximum communication with minimum time input.
-I noticed a clear and significant lack of youth participation. Since one of the primary ways youth find information is online, it was important to develop that platform.
-Community gardens struggle to be taken seriously and heard by local government. Adding a degree of professionalism to their online presence, and identity (eg. their logo, typeface etc.) was an efficient way to professionalize their image.
For these reasons, I chose to focus on a few groups for the bulk of my graphic and web work. I developed a logo and blog site for the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network, a policy group which aims to represent urban agriculture interests in local government. I created blogs for several groups, helped the Environmental Youth Alliance update their website and link to other groups that I worked with, and I helped the Society for Promotion of Environmental Conservation develop logo illustrations for several of their working groups. I also developed posters for a series of their urban ag. workshops, some of which were family/ child targeted and educational. The project and completed work is documented in full at http://www.rachelgrows.blogspot.com
Has this experience had an impact on your future choices professionally or academically? Did you make new connections that you hope to sustain?
Through this project, i developed a strong link with the Vancouver community, which had previously remained underdeveloped. While I have been living in the city for 2 years, and volunteer regularly at several locations, this project allowed me to branch out and flesh out these relationships.
This project was also something of an epiphany for me, for my academic direction and potentially my thesis project. While working on this, I was also exhibiting work in conjunction with Architecture for Humanity Vancouver, on the subject of small, environmentally sustainable and financially viable housing. The central theme of self-sustaining lifestyles for this and Rachel Grows is something that seems to characterize much of my work, and I believe that it will continue to do so. I'm considering presenting the findings of these projects, but need to finalize the research still.
What skills did you develop or build upon through the course of your work?
Skill development for this project was both widely varied and indepth. It started of course with the basic skills involved in urban agriculture- cultivating food, weeding, watering, identifying plants, and progressed into explorations of volunteer and time management. There was also the aspect of client work- developing posters and promotional materials for events etc.
There was also of course the realm of technology for this project, which was a completely different set of skills to work on. I learned an enormous amount about viral and online grassroots promotion. I learned about tools I can use online to self-manage, to inform people, and to help independent groups promote themselves. I improved my web and graphic design skills a lot.
All of these skills were built on a foundation of research- I learned about how to find information online and offline, how to reach people quickly and efficiently (a major hurdle in volunteer/ community work) and I learned that different people use different methods to communicate. Each of these methods has a very different time frame, so learning to coordinate all of them was another skill I had to use.
Oh, and I learned how to take care of chickens.
What have you learned about yourself through this experience?
I have learned that I am impatient, have a singular perspective, and that I'm a workaholic.
I have also learned that I am persistent, willing to be open minded, and have a giant pool of great friends to help me bear the load.
What have you learned about community engagement through this experience?
I mentioned this already- but really understanding that there are a wide variety of different people to work with- and this means that they communicate in very different ways. I found it frustrating at first to try to reach people who don't focus on online methods- using the phone and meeting in person was always much more time consuming than firing off an email. Once I did, however, I found that there was a lot to be learned by working in this way. And of course, the more diverse a network, the stronger the community.
That said, community work is incredibly time consuming. I learned an enormous amount about group time management that will take me far with this work in the future.
How will you draw upon the experience in your future endeavors?
Working with Urban Agriculture has been a pursuit of 2 years, thus far. My major interests lie in communication, engagement and reaching people in empowering ways. I've learned a lot about these things in the context of Urban Ag, but I want to continue applying the same principles to other community development work. The internet is a powerhouse of two way and broadcasting communicative tools, the applications of which we have only scratched the surface on. I believe that the key to a global community lies in the borderless lands of the online.
What have you learned about teamwork through this experience?
Though this was an individual project, I wanted to mention that there were a lot of wonderful people helping out during the month of May for me. Jerome came and took pictures of my chicken adventures for the blog, and Ben came one morning to help me take care of them. And of course, there were all the incredible friends involved with my other projects at this time. (The myhomeyourhome project was having its' big gallery show this month, and I might have imploded without everyones' amazing help.) Thanks guys!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Where are they now: updates!
I just took a peek at the EYA Blog and they've been using it like crazy! They have loads of pretty images up and lots of relevant articles. It looks beautiful and I'm so happy to see it being put to excellent use. Check it out!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Completed work: links
For this project, I didn't just design images for community gardens. I worked to better integrate them into the online community, increasing visibility and the likelihood that they would draw youth in.
Here are a couple of the blogs I created for urban agriculture related groups:
EYA
VUAN
I also arranged a link exchange between many urban ag groups- you can see the full list on the VUAN blog, above. Other tools I used to improve visibility included creating facebook groups (like this one for VUAN), and cross promoting by getting links to different sites onto related sites. This is how I managed to get VUAN to show up on a google search.
Here are a couple of the blogs I created for urban agriculture related groups:
EYA
VUAN
I also arranged a link exchange between many urban ag groups- you can see the full list on the VUAN blog, above. Other tools I used to improve visibility included creating facebook groups (like this one for VUAN), and cross promoting by getting links to different sites onto related sites. This is how I managed to get VUAN to show up on a google search.
More completed work
These are smaller, less contrasty versions of the incredibly sexy poster series I designed for SPEC's workshop series. I'll post some sexier ones in my portfolio soon.
Follow up!
So what have I been doing to wrap up Rachel Grows? Well:
Here is the vectorized (and re-jpegd for posting) version of the EYA logo. Fun!
And here is the food security illustration/ logo for the SPEC working group on that topic.
Here is their waste management logo/illustration.
And a nice, vectorized version of their logo. Hooray!
More to come.
Here is the vectorized (and re-jpegd for posting) version of the EYA logo. Fun!
And here is the food security illustration/ logo for the SPEC working group on that topic.
Here is their waste management logo/illustration.
And a nice, vectorized version of their logo. Hooray!More to come.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
9 hours
I'll probably end up doing a bit more work for today, but I've checked off a large portion of my list.
SPEC
>Workshop Series Posters
City poster: Printed
Birds, Bees and Berries: Completed
Yes I Can!: Completed
Harvest Fest: Laid out. Needs more conceptualizing, a little more info. I've emailed Ilse, we'll get it wrapped up a bit later.
>Logo Illustrations
Waste management: completed
Transportation: begun, need more work
Renewable Energy: not yet started
Land and water conservation: not yet started
EYA:
>link exchanges with other sites. Responded to emails from city farmer, vancouver fruit tree project and farm folk/ city folk. Updated links and sent a logo out for linking:)
SPEC
>Workshop Series Posters
City poster: Printed
Birds, Bees and Berries: Completed
Yes I Can!: Completed
Harvest Fest: Laid out. Needs more conceptualizing, a little more info. I've emailed Ilse, we'll get it wrapped up a bit later.
>Logo Illustrations
Waste management: completed
Transportation: begun, need more work
Renewable Energy: not yet started
Land and water conservation: not yet started
EYA:
>link exchanges with other sites. Responded to emails from city farmer, vancouver fruit tree project and farm folk/ city folk. Updated links and sent a logo out for linking:)
What's left?
To wrap up today:
SPEC
>Workshop Series Posters
City Poster: Completed and on the way to the printer
Birds, Bees and Berries: Completed, a few revisions left
Yes I Can!: Drafted. Illustration tweaks and typesetting left
Harvest Fest: Laid out. Needs more conceptualizing, a little more info. (Email Ilse)
>Logo Illustrations
Waste management
Transportation
Renewable Energy
Land and water conservation
EYA:
>link exchanges with other sites. In progress
SPEC
>Workshop Series Posters
City Poster: Completed and on the way to the printer
Birds, Bees and Berries: Completed, a few revisions left
Yes I Can!: Drafted. Illustration tweaks and typesetting left
Harvest Fest: Laid out. Needs more conceptualizing, a little more info. (Email Ilse)
>Logo Illustrations
Waste management
Transportation
Renewable Energy
Land and water conservation
EYA:
>link exchanges with other sites. In progress
Last Day! 8:30 till...
So today is my official last day (at least the last day I'll be getting paid.) There has been some suggestion to put together my findings in a report or some kind of presentation. I'm not sure exactly how to start on that, but here are a few notes:
-The Rachel Grows project and the Myhomeyourhome project, as well as experiences with Sprouts and Our Community Bikes have been a part of a larger study in urban self- reliance and sustainability.
-Developing self-reliance in an urban setting is important because urban lifestyles have become progressively more abstract in terms of what one must do to meet their needs.
-This abstraction influences our values as a culture, as well as our self-image, as a society.
-Self reliance in every form is empowering. Being able to feed or transport onself, having a full understanding of every step it took to complete the task, is an effective means of creating more conscious, happy citizens.
-Self reliance is fulfilling.
-Working to develop self-reliance on a new level differs strongly from much of the advocacy and awareness work I have done in the past. A simple change of attitude (to empowerment from negative focus) is incredibly powerful.
-In order for people to become more self-reliant, they consistently band together. This creates stronger community. (A fact which has been visible in every organization I've worked with.) From examples as clear as community gardens and bike kitchens to more abstract ideas like the free information movement, community development is a common outcome.
So what?
These findings will certainly influence the way I approach community development in the future. I wonder if there is a way to make a dialogue on these findings (which are clearly not exclusive to my work) more widely available.
-The Rachel Grows project and the Myhomeyourhome project, as well as experiences with Sprouts and Our Community Bikes have been a part of a larger study in urban self- reliance and sustainability.
-Developing self-reliance in an urban setting is important because urban lifestyles have become progressively more abstract in terms of what one must do to meet their needs.
-This abstraction influences our values as a culture, as well as our self-image, as a society.
-Self reliance in every form is empowering. Being able to feed or transport onself, having a full understanding of every step it took to complete the task, is an effective means of creating more conscious, happy citizens.
-Self reliance is fulfilling.
-Working to develop self-reliance on a new level differs strongly from much of the advocacy and awareness work I have done in the past. A simple change of attitude (to empowerment from negative focus) is incredibly powerful.
-In order for people to become more self-reliant, they consistently band together. This creates stronger community. (A fact which has been visible in every organization I've worked with.) From examples as clear as community gardens and bike kitchens to more abstract ideas like the free information movement, community development is a common outcome.
So what?
These findings will certainly influence the way I approach community development in the future. I wonder if there is a way to make a dialogue on these findings (which are clearly not exclusive to my work) more widely available.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Jerome Kashetsky was kind enough to come by the farm with me today, and took some lovely pictures of the whole egg collection and washing process. I'm not sure what all will happen with them (we'll definitely contact the farm and see if they would like to use some.) I'll also post them here, and include them in future work with the project.
Jerome and I discussed ideas of making a presentation of my findings, or writing a paper of some sort. I've never thought of doing something like that- but it does seem entirely appropriate (at least from the standpoint of my future goals.) I'll need to spend some time consolidating my research on personal self-sustainability, but I feel like there's so much more to learn. We'll see where it leads:)
I also put the finishing touches on the city poster for SPEC and packaged it all for printing. (Tomorrow!) Hopefully that all goes smoothly. I've still got quite a few things I would like to complete for them. I'll figure out tomorrow what the plan is for those. I know that a lot of them will be getting done on the 20-something hour car trip we're starting monday. I'd like to have my work for SPEC wrapped up before we're in California. Jerome and I were throwing around ideas for a chicken pilot project proposal. The idea would be to work with an organization like SPEC and a community garden group to integrate chickens into a community. We would have to work with the city, as chickens are technically not legal yet. This could act as the testing ground for how that would work, and provide valuable insight for the city in creating policy.
Jerome and I discussed ideas of making a presentation of my findings, or writing a paper of some sort. I've never thought of doing something like that- but it does seem entirely appropriate (at least from the standpoint of my future goals.) I'll need to spend some time consolidating my research on personal self-sustainability, but I feel like there's so much more to learn. We'll see where it leads:)
I also put the finishing touches on the city poster for SPEC and packaged it all for printing. (Tomorrow!) Hopefully that all goes smoothly. I've still got quite a few things I would like to complete for them. I'll figure out tomorrow what the plan is for those. I know that a lot of them will be getting done on the 20-something hour car trip we're starting monday. I'd like to have my work for SPEC wrapped up before we're in California. Jerome and I were throwing around ideas for a chicken pilot project proposal. The idea would be to work with an organization like SPEC and a community garden group to integrate chickens into a community. We would have to work with the city, as chickens are technically not legal yet. This could act as the testing ground for how that would work, and provide valuable insight for the city in creating policy.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
7 hours
It's almost 5, so I'm wrapping up for the day. Here's an updated to do list for the last couple days of my projects.
-html tutorials (for developing blog templates, EYA and VUAN) check
-design blog faces for EYA and perhaps later VUAN check EYA, not yet on the VUAN
-email amanda to meet about fonts and palettes check
-signs for EYA gardens not check
VUAN
-logo: check
-blog: check
-fb group: check
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage: umm.. materials?
>Workshop Series Posters
2/4 complete. 1 concept put together. 1 more to come up with
UBC:
-Chickens on Thusday morning
-They have a project for me, which may end up being an after rachel grows project
EYA:
-signs for their Youth Garden and the Means of Production Garden: not check
-link exchanges with other sites. In progress
-blog face check
Other things in the back of my mind:
-I've drafted scripts for my video tech workshops, and downloaded software
-more reading/ research of wikinomics (continuing to read in my free time)
-html tutorials (for developing blog templates, EYA and VUAN) check
-design blog faces for EYA and perhaps later VUAN check EYA, not yet on the VUAN
-email amanda to meet about fonts and palettes check
-signs for EYA gardens not check
VUAN
-logo: check
-blog: check
-fb group: check
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage: umm.. materials?
>Workshop Series Posters
2/4 complete. 1 concept put together. 1 more to come up with
UBC:
-Chickens on Thusday morning
-They have a project for me, which may end up being an after rachel grows project
EYA:
-signs for their Youth Garden and the Means of Production Garden: not check
-link exchanges with other sites. In progress
-blog face check
Other things in the back of my mind:
-I've drafted scripts for my video tech workshops, and downloaded software
-more reading/ research of wikinomics (continuing to read in my free time)
Yesterday: 9 hours. Today 10:30 to forever
As of my to do list for yesterday, all has been completed but the waste management illustration. Since I've finished the birds and the bees poster rather than just starting it, I'm feeling quite good about it. I'll email it all off.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Done today:
-The EYA Blog, needed a face and links
-Added links to the VUAN blog
-sent an email to the VUAN group about the logos
-(various other emails, mostly to amanda at SPEC asking for specific assets)
-started working on their food security illustration
-emailed Samantha at the EYA to tell her about the developments for them
-found a bunch of non-working links on the EYA site, emailed Samantha about those
-sketches for the waste management logo
Still to do:
-finish the food security illustration
-email logo compilation to David and Cylia at VUAN
-integrate the food security illustration into the city poster
-start the birds and the bees poster
-start the waste management logo
-The EYA Blog, needed a face and links
-Added links to the VUAN blog
-sent an email to the VUAN group about the logos
-(various other emails, mostly to amanda at SPEC asking for specific assets)
-started working on their food security illustration
-emailed Samantha at the EYA to tell her about the developments for them
-found a bunch of non-working links on the EYA site, emailed Samantha about those
-sketches for the waste management logo
Still to do:
-finish the food security illustration
-email logo compilation to David and Cylia at VUAN
-integrate the food security illustration into the city poster
-start the birds and the bees poster
-start the waste management logo
Monday, May 25, 2009
Long Days (11 hours)
Meetings with David Tracey and Amanda/ Ilse were very productive. I need to put together David's file set and send it off tomorrow, and fonts for Amanda.
10ish
About 3 hours later, I've written my first CSS document and attached it (for my first time) to an html document. Progress is made!
I also updated my software and installed CS3 on my computer (finally,) as it's been home from the shop for a bit. Zack will be happy to have me off his machine and back onto mine, as will I. Still need to move my project files over to this computer.
I also updated my software and installed CS3 on my computer (finally,) as it's been home from the shop for a bit. Zack will be happy to have me off his machine and back onto mine, as will I. Still need to move my project files over to this computer.
645, too excited to be this early!
Just some email maintainance to start, and some reviewing of html div tags. I have questions that i will email to lori. Also, installing a few programs for greater convenience.
Before I leave for my meeting with Amanda at noon (location: on Granville island, yet undetermined,) I'll move all my design work to this computer from Zack's. It's good to be home.
Also, CSS, here I come!
Before I leave for my meeting with Amanda at noon (location: on Granville island, yet undetermined,) I'll move all my design work to this computer from Zack's. It's good to be home.
Also, CSS, here I come!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
7 hours yesterday, 1 today
Just puttering along on my CSS readings now, trying to get these finished. Emailed a bit yesterday before wrapping up for the day. More to come on monday!
Friday, May 22, 2009
I just got an email from the UBC farm kids, with a project I simply can't resist. They need someone to lay out a carbon-smart food guide for them- an InDesign project! My new true love!
I've been enjoying laying out ergonomic reports with excessive graphics and hot fonts for a while now, I'd love to put together this document for the UBC farm. It will probably end up going into my trip to Cali, but I don't mind. I have endless hours in-car to sketch layouts, figure out fonts etc. And 3 hours of battery life on my computer, combined with 3 on Zack's if I'm feeling needy. Maybe I should get my hands on a couple CSS books to read as well...
I've been enjoying laying out ergonomic reports with excessive graphics and hot fonts for a while now, I'd love to put together this document for the UBC farm. It will probably end up going into my trip to Cali, but I don't mind. I have endless hours in-car to sketch layouts, figure out fonts etc. And 3 hours of battery life on my computer, combined with 3 on Zack's if I'm feeling needy. Maybe I should get my hands on a couple CSS books to read as well...
8am till..
I started off the day working on the Yes I can! poster for SPEC, which is essentially now a concept sketch in illustrator. I polished off the rest of the W3Schools html tutorial, and I'll get started on the CSS one today. I'd also like to read through the XHTML guide before next week is over- but that's ambitious.
I also vectorized SPEC's logo in Illustrator this morning, so it can be inserted into the posters I'm building for them. Aaand I sent out emails to a few elusive people, who I need to track down before the project ends.
I also vectorized SPEC's logo in Illustrator this morning, so it can be inserted into the posters I'm building for them. Aaand I sent out emails to a few elusive people, who I need to track down before the project ends.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
7am to 7pm= 12 hours, oh my
Today just flew by (as my thursdays tend to) with the chickens in the AM, with emails to send and respond to and lots of html tutorials to do. I fiddled a bit more with the poster designs and scheduled a meeting with Amanda for Monday. I also emailed her for the version of the SPEC logo they're currently using, so it can be vectorized. I'll send the EYA their vectorized logo tomorrow morning, once I add the text.
I also emailed Emily of VPSN about an idea ben and I had this morning, amongst the chickens. I've learned recently that while the city of Vancouver intends to legalize chickens, they recently had to lay off the woman who worked there with the most interest in the project. I'm worried about that intent getting waylaid, so I would like to do something to show support for the movement.
We were also talking about the difficulties of owning chickens in the city- namely, for apartment dwellers, that pesky yard issue. This, we conjectured, could be solved if community gardens had a community chicken coop.
I would love to put together a proposal to the city, in conjuncion with a group like SPEC or city farmer, for the creation of a trial run chicken coop in a community garden in Vancouver. This would not only set a precedent for chickens in community gardens, but it would allow people here to see that they're really not all that scary, smelly or loud (as some seem to think.)
I'm also putting together a few video instructables for community garden non-techhy types. The set will have a how to set up a facebook group, how to set up a blog, and how to get your page to show up on a google search.
I also emailed Emily of VPSN about an idea ben and I had this morning, amongst the chickens. I've learned recently that while the city of Vancouver intends to legalize chickens, they recently had to lay off the woman who worked there with the most interest in the project. I'm worried about that intent getting waylaid, so I would like to do something to show support for the movement.
We were also talking about the difficulties of owning chickens in the city- namely, for apartment dwellers, that pesky yard issue. This, we conjectured, could be solved if community gardens had a community chicken coop.
I would love to put together a proposal to the city, in conjuncion with a group like SPEC or city farmer, for the creation of a trial run chicken coop in a community garden in Vancouver. This would not only set a precedent for chickens in community gardens, but it would allow people here to see that they're really not all that scary, smelly or loud (as some seem to think.)
I'm also putting together a few video instructables for community garden non-techhy types. The set will have a how to set up a facebook group, how to set up a blog, and how to get your page to show up on a google search.
Chickens!
After briefly attending to my emails this morning (still waiting on some meetings with some people,) I trekked to the UBC farm with Ben to collect and wash some eggs. Since I had already had my chicken orientation, we launched right into chillin' with the chicks. We got about 6 dozen eggs, which will be sold at the farm market.
A little more html learning and conceptualizing the posters for SPEC will be happening today. I've got a meeting with Amanda on Monday to show her what I've been up to. Hopefully they'll like the first poster, and I can go ahead with the other 3, and the vector image "logos" for them.
A little more html learning and conceptualizing the posters for SPEC will be happening today. I've got a meeting with Amanda on Monday to show her what I've been up to. Hopefully they'll like the first poster, and I can go ahead with the other 3, and the vector image "logos" for them.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
7 hours
Wrapping up the day with some emails, html tutorials and sketching poster ideas for SPEC. I'm feeling like there's some waiting around being done- I'll start off tomorrow making the next poster. Hooray!
I'm taking a bit of time to address some emails I've been getting about Calgary's mayor having not yet met with Calgary's food policy council. Technically not within the scope of my Vancouver project- but I would at some point like to foster connections between the two. Maintaining some participation on that end as well seems beneficial.
Our blog on that end is here.
Our blog on that end is here.
I also just noticed that there is a community potluck fundraiser happening tonight! Here is the info:
2. Savour with Neighbours - A Community Potluck Fundraiser (See poster below)
I'm hoping I'll have a chance to drop by. It looks like there will be a few organizations there that I've yet to connect with.
2. Savour with Neighbours - A Community Potluck Fundraiser (See poster below)
Celebrating Local Food, Organic Food & Food Security
Wednesday, May 20th
6-10pm, kids activities before 7:30
Heritage Hall (Main & 15th)
Suggested Donation $10
It will be a fun and informative evening with the sharing of potluck dishes, live music, as well as people from a dozen food related organizations will be participating with displays and information tables including several organic farmers, SLOW Food Vancouver, Farm Folk/City Folk, Vancouver Food Policy Council, and Urban Aboriginal Community Garden Project.
A benefit for Food For Families (part of CityReach Care Society).
Hosted by NOWBC Co-op. For more information call 604-872-6980
I'm hoping I'll have a chance to drop by. It looks like there will be a few organizations there that I've yet to connect with.
Just responding to my emails-
one from Ian in particular caught my attention. It had a link to the Grandview Woodlands Food Connection Blog. He has done an excellent job of setting one up and keeping it looking alive. Very cool!
I love what a strong impact Ian's group is having on the community- the potlucks he is organizing look so friendly. Perhaps I should revisit the idea of arranging an event, but do as he suggested and plan a few months in advance. We could do it in August...
one from Ian in particular caught my attention. It had a link to the Grandview Woodlands Food Connection Blog. He has done an excellent job of setting one up and keeping it looking alive. Very cool!
I love what a strong impact Ian's group is having on the community- the potlucks he is organizing look so friendly. Perhaps I should revisit the idea of arranging an event, but do as he suggested and plan a few months in advance. We could do it in August...
7:00 in the am, woo! (1 hour yesterday)
I'm excited about finishing my first poster for SPEC, and I'm just waiting on their email to make some choices. I'm waiting on a few emails from people before I can move on. Here's my checklist of other things to do for today:
-html tutorials (for developing blog templates, EYA and VUAN)
-design blog faces for EYA and perhaps later VUAN
-email amanda to meet about fonts and palettes
-signs for EYA gardens
VUAN
-logo: Still waiting on a meeting with David. I'll email him again today
-blog: I've gotten some of those link exchanges I was pursuing. If I have time, I might make a custom blog face for their page- not vital, but would make them look a bit more professional.
-fb group: running, minimal activity, though I wasn't expecting much. Perhaps some print materials directing people here..?
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage: it sounds like the materials vicky was planning to use for these signs are not printable. we're not sure where to start with this- we might be able to go with scrap wood, stencils and varnish.. I'll send her an email.
>Workshop Series Posters
-completed the first of 4, waiting on a meeting with amanda an Ilse to show off a couple versions, chat about typ and palettes, and make sure the direction I go with the other 3 is what they want. in the meantime, i'll do a few sketches for these.
UBC:
-I'll go in on thursday morning to do chickens. My friend ben has expressed interest in tagging along.
-Ayla is discussing whether I can redesign things for them at their board meeting. I might mock up some business cards for them (which I've already given some attention.)
EYA:
-signs fortheir Youth Garden and the Means of Production Garden, and they are looking to do link exchanges with other sites. It may be worthwhile to just collect the groups that are looking to do a link exchange, then send out a big list to all of them at the end of the month.
-blog face
Other things in the back of my mind:
-tech workshops for community garden groups: a few more people have said that they can use this. I don't think I have time to set up a workshop before the end of may- perhaps a video podcast discussing the finer points of online promotion?
-water collection project: there doesn't seem to be enough initiative to pull something like this off by the end of may
-more reading/ research of wikinomics (continuing to read in my free time)
-html tutorials (for developing blog templates, EYA and VUAN)
-design blog faces for EYA and perhaps later VUAN
-email amanda to meet about fonts and palettes
-signs for EYA gardens
VUAN
-logo: Still waiting on a meeting with David. I'll email him again today
-blog: I've gotten some of those link exchanges I was pursuing. If I have time, I might make a custom blog face for their page- not vital, but would make them look a bit more professional.
-fb group: running, minimal activity, though I wasn't expecting much. Perhaps some print materials directing people here..?
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage: it sounds like the materials vicky was planning to use for these signs are not printable. we're not sure where to start with this- we might be able to go with scrap wood, stencils and varnish.. I'll send her an email.
>Workshop Series Posters
-completed the first of 4, waiting on a meeting with amanda an Ilse to show off a couple versions, chat about typ and palettes, and make sure the direction I go with the other 3 is what they want. in the meantime, i'll do a few sketches for these.
UBC:
-I'll go in on thursday morning to do chickens. My friend ben has expressed interest in tagging along.
-Ayla is discussing whether I can redesign things for them at their board meeting. I might mock up some business cards for them (which I've already given some attention.)
EYA:
-signs fortheir Youth Garden and the Means of Production Garden, and they are looking to do link exchanges with other sites. It may be worthwhile to just collect the groups that are looking to do a link exchange, then send out a big list to all of them at the end of the month.
-blog face
Other things in the back of my mind:
-tech workshops for community garden groups: a few more people have said that they can use this. I don't think I have time to set up a workshop before the end of may- perhaps a video podcast discussing the finer points of online promotion?
-water collection project: there doesn't seem to be enough initiative to pull something like this off by the end of may
-more reading/ research of wikinomics (continuing to read in my free time)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Updates! (Mon: 5 hours, today will be my easter monday.)
I've been working hard on posters for SPEC's workshop series, and I'm just about finished their first one. I'll meet up with Amanda and Ilse to show it to them.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Good morning, goood morning! (1 hour, yesterday)
It's great to stay up late!
I won't lie: I miss this job on the weekends. I did about another hour of vector work and odds and ends yesterday, putting up the EYA blog, with logo and brushing up on some html and web design specifics I can create a custom template for them. This morning, I finished with the major vector elements of the poster for SPEC, which I'm very excited about. I need to put together a layout for that today, make some font and color choices, and send them the draft.
I won't lie: I miss this job on the weekends. I did about another hour of vector work and odds and ends yesterday, putting up the EYA blog, with logo and brushing up on some html and web design specifics I can create a custom template for them. This morning, I finished with the major vector elements of the poster for SPEC, which I'm very excited about. I need to put together a layout for that today, make some font and color choices, and send them the draft.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Saturday- Just a couple hours, said the workaholic (2 hours)
I'm working on a few more of the vector images I'll be needing for the first SPEC poster on organic square foot gardening. I'm making one with a child watering different city components- houses, buildings, bikes and cars so far- in neat little rows in the soil.
I'm also adding a .tk address for the vancouver urban agriculture network blog, just to improve their online visibility.
I'm also adding a .tk address for the vancouver urban agriculture network blog, just to improve their online visibility.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
4 hours
Vectors and meetings and emails!
I met up with Ian Marcuse today to discuss plans for the potluck picnic on the 29th.
I met up with Ian Marcuse today to discuss plans for the potluck picnic on the 29th.
10 hours
Today was a long day.
I've come up with an idea for the first poster, so I'm quite happy. I'll get started on the vectors tomorrow.
I've come up with an idea for the first poster, so I'm quite happy. I'll get started on the vectors tomorrow.
I had a wonderful time this morning at the UBC farm, getting oriented with the chickens. I'll be taking care of them for the remaining 2 Thursday mornings this month- and I'm thrilled. It's very pleasant work, and educational of where our food comes from in a way that's unique to me.
Besides the 3 hours or so I spent at UBC farm, as well as getting to and from, I spent lots of time today with my email, as always. I chatted with people about projects we're working on, in a very general sense. I'm enjoying my back and forth with Amanda from SPEC, as we discuss color palettes and fonts for their template set.
I also dedicated some time today to tutorials, hooray! The Lynda.com tutorials I'm working with have given me excellent insight into proper workflow in the past, and I'd like to start with a strong foundation of that as I progress.
I'm also currently sketching some posters for SPEC workshops. I'd like to get the first one done by Wednesday of next week, so I'm starting on it today. I have 4 of them to complete. (Though the first one will be the most difficult- we'll keep consistent grids, palettes and fonts for them all. )
Back to work!
Besides the 3 hours or so I spent at UBC farm, as well as getting to and from, I spent lots of time today with my email, as always. I chatted with people about projects we're working on, in a very general sense. I'm enjoying my back and forth with Amanda from SPEC, as we discuss color palettes and fonts for their template set.
I also dedicated some time today to tutorials, hooray! The Lynda.com tutorials I'm working with have given me excellent insight into proper workflow in the past, and I'd like to start with a strong foundation of that as I progress.
I'm also currently sketching some posters for SPEC workshops. I'd like to get the first one done by Wednesday of next week, so I'm starting on it today. I have 4 of them to complete. (Though the first one will be the most difficult- we'll keep consistent grids, palettes and fonts for them all. )
Back to work!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
7 hours
After I got home from the gallery, I spent the last portion of the day with my email. I've been corresponding with SPEC and the EYA about different projects they need done. Before I can get started on some of them, there are a few questions that need to be out of the way. I'd also like to meet with Amanda in person or online to discuss things like fonts:)
I was happy to finish vectorizing the EYA logo this morning- I'm still waiting on that font though.
I was happy to finish vectorizing the EYA logo this morning- I'm still waiting on that font though.
yesterday- 8 hours today- 7:30am till forever
My trip to the EYA yesterday was very productive. The website updates article on their front page is a note about what I got done:) I added tons of the information that was available on the previous vancouverurbanagriculture website to their existing EYA site, added some events, and also managed to add a link to the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network. There are also two new links on the VPSN page- to me here at RachelGrows, and to the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network blog. Hooray! I'm feeling very good about the increased web-presence of VUAN- if you google their name, there are a few good secondary sites that come up with links to the blog now. I've added a link to their google group to the blog, and started a links sidebar- so they can do exchanges. A link on the VCAN site would also be helpful.
Samantha and I also discussed a couple other things I can work on for the EYA, including some signs for their gardens and a vector version of their logo. I've just finished the image- just waiting on a font:)
I also met with Amanda and Ilse from SPEC yesterday, and we discussed some projects I can do for them. There is a giant list of things, including designing 4 posters for a series of workshops that are coming up soon. I think that each of these posters will take me about a full day, and I'm so excited to get started. They're looking for some beautiful vector illustrations of garden-type things, and Amanda and I are going to start discussing fonts- which is something I'm noticing as a weak point in a lot of non-profit design. If nothing else, I hope to get them hooked on sans-serifs for the titles. This would be a step foward. I need to surf some fonts today.
It's almost time to run off to the gallery for my lunch hour, so more updates later!
Samantha and I also discussed a couple other things I can work on for the EYA, including some signs for their gardens and a vector version of their logo. I've just finished the image- just waiting on a font:)
I also met with Amanda and Ilse from SPEC yesterday, and we discussed some projects I can do for them. There is a giant list of things, including designing 4 posters for a series of workshops that are coming up soon. I think that each of these posters will take me about a full day, and I'm so excited to get started. They're looking for some beautiful vector illustrations of garden-type things, and Amanda and I are going to start discussing fonts- which is something I'm noticing as a weak point in a lot of non-profit design. If nothing else, I hope to get them hooked on sans-serifs for the titles. This would be a step foward. I need to surf some fonts today.
It's almost time to run off to the gallery for my lunch hour, so more updates later!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
This morning, I joined the SPEC google group, and had a quick skim of their upcoming events. Very exciting:)
One of the things I'm noticing with community gardens in Van. is that they almost all use google groups to organize their members. I think this is excellent- but I also think that they need a more visible online presence. The SPEC is a great example of having a strong web presence. Their website comes up when you search for their acronym, and it displays recent news and makes it easy to sign up for their newsletter. I'm not entirely satisfied with the design of the site- I think that it could be a bit easier to navigate and more ergonomic. (Less block-text, more space etc.)
Here's an updated project list, btw:
VUAN:
-logo (I've been playing email tag with David, trying to line up a meeting with him so we can discuss the ideas I've come up with so far.)
-blog (up and running- I've been asking for link exchanges on their behalf)
-facebook group (up and running- I have been doing some promo amongst other groups on fb)
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage (got an email from vicky for contents, just waiting on any images or other visuals she wants to send along)
-artwork/ garden elements (I'm still not sure if this will be a project for me this month. I see them being able to enjoy functional elements- vicky mentioned the idea of mosaic stepping stones. This isn't really my area of expertise, so it would require more research. I'll keep it in mind and see if I come up with anything.
>Ian and Carole: I'm still trying to get ahold of these two to set up a time- Carole has asked me to give her a call tomorrow.
UBC:
-I have emailed Ayla about my chicken orientation, which will be happening this Thursday at 10:30. My friend scott is also coming out to join us.
-We have also discussed my doing some design work for them. I've already done some work on their cards, but Ayla and I need to sit down and chat about that. They also might have some promotional items I can help them redesign. We'll discuss on Thursday.
EYA:
I met with Samantha last week to discuss work, and I'll be going in today to work on their website.
They also need signs for their Youth Garden and the Means of Production Garden, and they are looking to do link exchanges with other sites. It may be worthwhile to just collect the groups that are looking to do a link exchange, then send out a big list to all of them at the end of the month.
I'll talk to Sam about all of these things today.
Other projects that I could develop:
-tech workshops for community garden groups (no development here yet)
-water collection project (chatting with a couple groups about this potential proect)
-more reading/ research of wikinomics (continuing to read in my free time)
-meeting with parks board people to mediate: The parks board website has a small resource on community gardens here. I've given them a call, and it sounds like they're quite busy down there. I left a message with megan, and she's told me that she'll find someone I can talk to and get them to give me a call. Fingers crossed:)
-working with the Vancouver fruit tree project: I sent an email asking if they're up to anything this may- more likely setting up for this year than picking. I also noticed that their website could use an update, I'll ask them about this.
-guerrilla gardening projects-> I've started a small rooftop sprouting setup at home, which I'm planning to plant in the community at the end of the month. So far, I have a couple sunflowers popping up out of the soil:)
One of the things I'm noticing with community gardens in Van. is that they almost all use google groups to organize their members. I think this is excellent- but I also think that they need a more visible online presence. The SPEC is a great example of having a strong web presence. Their website comes up when you search for their acronym, and it displays recent news and makes it easy to sign up for their newsletter. I'm not entirely satisfied with the design of the site- I think that it could be a bit easier to navigate and more ergonomic. (Less block-text, more space etc.)
Here's an updated project list, btw:
VUAN:
-logo (I've been playing email tag with David, trying to line up a meeting with him so we can discuss the ideas I've come up with so far.)
-blog (up and running- I've been asking for link exchanges on their behalf)
-facebook group (up and running- I have been doing some promo amongst other groups on fb)
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage (got an email from vicky for contents, just waiting on any images or other visuals she wants to send along)
-artwork/ garden elements (I'm still not sure if this will be a project for me this month. I see them being able to enjoy functional elements- vicky mentioned the idea of mosaic stepping stones. This isn't really my area of expertise, so it would require more research. I'll keep it in mind and see if I come up with anything.
>Ian and Carole: I'm still trying to get ahold of these two to set up a time- Carole has asked me to give her a call tomorrow.
UBC:
-I have emailed Ayla about my chicken orientation, which will be happening this Thursday at 10:30. My friend scott is also coming out to join us.
-We have also discussed my doing some design work for them. I've already done some work on their cards, but Ayla and I need to sit down and chat about that. They also might have some promotional items I can help them redesign. We'll discuss on Thursday.
EYA:
I met with Samantha last week to discuss work, and I'll be going in today to work on their website.
They also need signs for their Youth Garden and the Means of Production Garden, and they are looking to do link exchanges with other sites. It may be worthwhile to just collect the groups that are looking to do a link exchange, then send out a big list to all of them at the end of the month.
I'll talk to Sam about all of these things today.
Other projects that I could develop:
-tech workshops for community garden groups (no development here yet)
-water collection project (chatting with a couple groups about this potential proect)
-more reading/ research of wikinomics (continuing to read in my free time)
-meeting with parks board people to mediate: The parks board website has a small resource on community gardens here. I've given them a call, and it sounds like they're quite busy down there. I left a message with megan, and she's told me that she'll find someone I can talk to and get them to give me a call. Fingers crossed:)
-working with the Vancouver fruit tree project: I sent an email asking if they're up to anything this may- more likely setting up for this year than picking. I also noticed that their website could use an update, I'll ask them about this.
-guerrilla gardening projects-> I've started a small rooftop sprouting setup at home, which I'm planning to plant in the community at the end of the month. So far, I have a couple sunflowers popping up out of the soil:)
Monday, May 11, 2009
8.5 hours
A lot of answering emails happened for me today- I've scheduled meetings with Ilsa and Amanda at SPEC, and I'll be going to EYA tomorrow to help them transfer some information from the old vancouver urban agriculture website to their current one.
I also did some more design work on the cards for ubc farm, worked on getting my new laptop up and running with the adobe suite and read about brainstorming, designing and communication. Slide:ology is an excellent book, by the way. It's a really great primer on design and communication.
I also did some more design work on the cards for ubc farm, worked on getting my new laptop up and running with the adobe suite and read about brainstorming, designing and communication. Slide:ology is an excellent book, by the way. It's a really great primer on design and communication.
Monday monday.
I spent this weekend learning my buns off at Jay Shafer's Tumbleweed Tiny House workshop, which was going down at Emily Carr. I also frantically tried to keep up with my emails from this project, while trying to remember that a day job is meant to happen during the week..
Anyways, I've been up since 8 responding to emails, redesigning the UBC farm volunteer cards and making plans to meet with people from various organizations who could benefit from my attention. I'm going to try to balance this with trips out to gardens throughout the month, but it looks like my focus may be shifting.
I think there are 2 things which will be my main focus:
-showing community gardens/gardeners and agriculture organizations how to generate a web presence for themselves
-putting together promotional materials (logos, websites etc) that can be used by those organizations
-organizing a social event for the end of the month, to help people meet each-other
Anyways, I've been up since 8 responding to emails, redesigning the UBC farm volunteer cards and making plans to meet with people from various organizations who could benefit from my attention. I'm going to try to balance this with trips out to gardens throughout the month, but it looks like my focus may be shifting.
I think there are 2 things which will be my main focus:
-showing community gardens/gardeners and agriculture organizations how to generate a web presence for themselves
-putting together promotional materials (logos, websites etc) that can be used by those organizations
-organizing a social event for the end of the month, to help people meet each-other
Friday, May 8, 2009
8.5 hours, and my meeting with Samantha
Ever the workaholic, I'm just posting briefly (at 9:00 on a Friday night,) to record my meeting with Samantha from the Environmental Youth Alliance. I'll be going in to their office on Tuesday to help them update their site with some important info. They also need someone to set up some link exchanges with other van. urban ag sites, and to work on some signs for their gardens. Hooray!
I've decided that I will plan an event for the end of the month, to get people who want to be involved together with people who are already involved. It will be a potluck at a community garden, and everyone will be invited. Hooray! My first step will be to speak with the Strathacona garden and.. not sure with whom to set it up at trout lake.. both locations sound lovely. There are picnic tables at trout lake, which will define the interaction some. Good or bad. I just chose a date: It will be Friday the 29th, in the late afternoon or early evening. It could be on the Saturday or Sunday, but I'll just be insanely busy preparing to move out.
I also just sent off an email to set up my play date with the UBC farm chickens! Very exciting. I'll be seeing them on Thursday. Alright, time to work on nonwork work:)
I've decided that I will plan an event for the end of the month, to get people who want to be involved together with people who are already involved. It will be a potluck at a community garden, and everyone will be invited. Hooray! My first step will be to speak with the Strathacona garden and.. not sure with whom to set it up at trout lake.. both locations sound lovely. There are picnic tables at trout lake, which will define the interaction some. Good or bad. I just chose a date: It will be Friday the 29th, in the late afternoon or early evening. It could be on the Saturday or Sunday, but I'll just be insanely busy preparing to move out.
I also just sent off an email to set up my play date with the UBC farm chickens! Very exciting. I'll be seeing them on Thursday. Alright, time to work on nonwork work:)
Projects List
VUAN:
-logo (waiting on a meeting to proceed)
-blog (up and running- need to get links from other sites)
-facebook group (up and running- needs promotion and links from other related fb groups)
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage (pending email)
-artwork/ garden elements (functional? water collection? plant structures?) This something I can be brainstorming
>Ian and Colleen: meetings
UBC:
-email Ila about chickens
EYA:
-meeting with Samantha at 4pm today to discuss projects, the EYA site, the vancouver urban agriculture website they used to maintain, as well as ideas for an event
Ning:
-networking site: promotion and development
Other projects that I could develop:
-tech workshops for community garden groups
-water collection project
-more reading/ research of wikinomics
-meeting with parks board people to mediate
-working with the Vancouver fruit tree project
-guerrilla gardening projects?
-logo (waiting on a meeting to proceed)
-blog (up and running- need to get links from other sites)
-facebook group (up and running- needs promotion and links from other related fb groups)
SPEC:
>Cambie and 10th Garden
-signage (pending email)
-artwork/ garden elements (functional? water collection? plant structures?) This something I can be brainstorming
>Ian and Colleen: meetings
UBC:
-email Ila about chickens
EYA:
-meeting with Samantha at 4pm today to discuss projects, the EYA site, the vancouver urban agriculture website they used to maintain, as well as ideas for an event
Ning:
-networking site: promotion and development
Other projects that I could develop:
-tech workshops for community garden groups
-water collection project
-more reading/ research of wikinomics
-meeting with parks board people to mediate
-working with the Vancouver fruit tree project
-guerrilla gardening projects?
This morning
I'm continuing to correspond with a few community garden groups, trying to find out what their needs are and how I can help fill them. One of the things I would like to do is to help develop a water collection system for the Oak and 16th garden. It's something that they need (their water supply is currently from a house across the street, and they carry it in buckets.) They have a 6x6 shed which would work well to channel the water off of. The major issue I'm seeing is that they don't want to disturb the already displease neighbors with more visual clutter. Entirely understandable.
So what I'm trying to do, in addition to building an inexpensive water collection system, is to make something that functions well and looks nice. It's pretty hard to disguise a big barrel.. I've been playing with ideas of turning it into a trellis of some kind. (Maybe a bean tipi around it, or some more permanent plant..) Or maybe finding a way to set it into the ground.. then showing the gardeners how to start a siphon.. I'm not sure yet. More discussion with them should yield some answers.
I'm also excited for my meeting with Samantha from the EYA this afternoon. We'll be discussing the ex- vancouverurbanag website, and my helping them to move info from it onto their website.
And more:)
So what I'm trying to do, in addition to building an inexpensive water collection system, is to make something that functions well and looks nice. It's pretty hard to disguise a big barrel.. I've been playing with ideas of turning it into a trellis of some kind. (Maybe a bean tipi around it, or some more permanent plant..) Or maybe finding a way to set it into the ground.. then showing the gardeners how to start a siphon.. I'm not sure yet. More discussion with them should yield some answers.
I'm also excited for my meeting with Samantha from the EYA this afternoon. We'll be discussing the ex- vancouverurbanag website, and my helping them to move info from it onto their website.
And more:)
Yesterday- 9 hours Updates!
I had a wonderful time at the UBC farm yesterday afternoon. I helped weed blackberries, and talked with the employees and volunteers about issues surrounding urban agriculture. I learned an enormous amount about the intricacies of policy in Vancouver, and what kinds of things limit diverse and balanced business/ ag development. I'm not sure what kind of impact I may be able to have on those issues, but being aware of them is the first step.
I also had a lovely surprise when I ran into someone who lived in Calgary- she had been to the first CUA meetup! It was really exciting. We both agreed that they're making a lot of progress in that city, and it's been wonderful to watch it all happen.
I'm planning to go back regularly on thursdays, and I'm going to help out with the chickens!
I also had a lovely surprise when I ran into someone who lived in Calgary- she had been to the first CUA meetup! It was really exciting. We both agreed that they're making a lot of progress in that city, and it's been wonderful to watch it all happen.
I'm planning to go back regularly on thursdays, and I'm going to help out with the chickens!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Design Iterations
Here's a sneak peek of some things I have been working on for the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network. I'd like to put together a clean, professional looking logo for them, which denotes both their advocacy work and their connection to growing food. I've emailed them to arrange another meeting, so we can discuss what their goals are and I can show them some ideas.
Early morning emails
I got up early today to get started responding to the many emails I've been receiving about the project, and about community gardens that I have been corresponding with. It has been very exciting to receive such a response right out of the gate- I feel like this will be a fast moving project with a lot to gain for everyone involved, and so much to learn.
Today at around noon, I'm planning to drop by the UBC farm and see how things are going. (Assuming the weather holds up.) They have weekly drop-ins on Thursday, so I'm excited to see how their volunteer system is working out for them.
I'll also be spending a little time getting my laptop running smoothly- it's finally back from repairs, and once it's ready I'll be 10 times more productive. Scary, no? I'll also spend some time maintaining and developing the online presence of VUAN- their facebook group needs a little attention, and some link postings to their blog wouldn't hurt.
Tallyho!
Today at around noon, I'm planning to drop by the UBC farm and see how things are going. (Assuming the weather holds up.) They have weekly drop-ins on Thursday, so I'm excited to see how their volunteer system is working out for them.
I'll also be spending a little time getting my laptop running smoothly- it's finally back from repairs, and once it's ready I'll be 10 times more productive. Scary, no? I'll also spend some time maintaining and developing the online presence of VUAN- their facebook group needs a little attention, and some link postings to their blog wouldn't hurt.
Tallyho!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
4 hours
Scott and I have been discussing the VUAN logo, and I'm feeling like we've made a lot of progress. It's definitely a project with 2 conflicting directions which I'll need to balance out. The first area is community gardening and the organic nature of their focus (no pun intended.) They did well on their work-ups of a logo because they used a figurative representation of this rather than a literal- though I don't think the logo they designed was as distinct as it could potentially be. Definitely a good start:)
The other direction to consider is the advocacy and policy work they do. The logo they were working on doesn't really speak to this, and I think if this element could be balanced in well, then it would do a lot for their image with the city and the community.
The other direction to consider is the advocacy and policy work they do. The logo they were working on doesn't really speak to this, and I think if this element could be balanced in well, then it would do a lot for their image with the city and the community.
Quick update on my busy day
Today was a very out of the house day. This morning I met with Vicky at a community garden on Cambie and 10th, to get a tour and chat. Much to my surprise, she had 4 cubic metres of compost being delivered, and no volunteers to help her out. I lent a hand with the shoveling and we discussed issues that the garden has run into- yet another occurrence of there being lots of volunteer interest but difficulty getting people organized. Another issue that I'm continually noticing is that people would like to get involved when they walk by a garden in their area, but there is no way for them to know who to contact or how. Vicky said that she would be interested in having me design some sinage for them, giving the name of the garden and when they meet there. I'm a little concerned about creating signs which become outdated as they change their meeting times, but I'm not sure what kinds of alternatives there might be. It may be prudent to provide them with a document that they can easily change once I'm gone.
Part of my day was spent helping set up a gallery show unrelated to Rachel Grows- I've been banking up some extra time so I could spend it today on setup. In addition, I did some light reading on city policy regarding community gardens. I spoke with my friend Scott who will be a camp counselor in Calgary this summer, who I'll be trying to link up with some community gardens or kitchens there, so he can teach kids about these lovely things. I've been thinking more about how to create a link between community gardeners in Calgary and in Vancouver.. but more on that later:)
I've set up a meeting with Ian of SPEC for next week. We'll talk about projects I can work on for them. Exciting! Also continuing iterations of the logo for VUAN- and their facebook group is starting to see a few members:) hooray!
Part of my day was spent helping set up a gallery show unrelated to Rachel Grows- I've been banking up some extra time so I could spend it today on setup. In addition, I did some light reading on city policy regarding community gardens. I spoke with my friend Scott who will be a camp counselor in Calgary this summer, who I'll be trying to link up with some community gardens or kitchens there, so he can teach kids about these lovely things. I've been thinking more about how to create a link between community gardeners in Calgary and in Vancouver.. but more on that later:)
I've set up a meeting with Ian of SPEC for next week. We'll talk about projects I can work on for them. Exciting! Also continuing iterations of the logo for VUAN- and their facebook group is starting to see a few members:) hooray!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
8 hours, 15 minutes
I'm just wrapping up for the day. I worked on some more iterations of the logo design for the VUAN, put up a facebook group for them and fiddled around trying to get the new blog to appear on searches. I'm guessing I just need to wait for some updating to happen. I also would like to get that link placed on a few websites that mention VUAN.
I'm also thinking that putting together a very simple event for the end of may would be an easy way to get some real networking happening. My current plan is to find a community garden that is interested in hosting a potluck. I'll meet with Samantha from the EYA on Friday, and we'll discuss that.
I'm also thinking that putting together a very simple event for the end of may would be an easy way to get some real networking happening. My current plan is to find a community garden that is interested in hosting a potluck. I'll meet with Samantha from the EYA on Friday, and we'll discuss that.
Progress
I'll be meeting with Samantha from the Environmental Youth Alliance to chat about the vancouverurbanagriculture website they once maintained, and transferring that information to their existing website for them. I think that the vancouverurbanagriculture as a name has some value to it, so I think that I will suggest creating a blog page where their info can reside. That way it can also serve as an events updater for Van ag. as a whole. I can give out the page email to existing organizations, and they can post updates on events etc.
We'll also discuss ways I can increase their online visibility and networking with other urban ag. groups. I'm considering organizing an event at the end of May which would be sociable and open, for people who are interested in getting involved to attend.
We'll also discuss ways I can increase their online visibility and networking with other urban ag. groups. I'm considering organizing an event at the end of May which would be sociable and open, for people who are interested in getting involved to attend.
Busybusybusy morning
It feels good to finally be getting responses and projects to work on. This morning I set up a blog for the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network, and have been working on a logo design for them.
Here are the notes from our meeting yesterday evening:
-all of the community gardening groups I meet with cite slow processes with the city as a major issue for them
-communication between existing and potential members is sometimes inconsistent
-so far, community groups I have spoken to have individuals with widely varied tech skills
Key issues for VUAN (which are common areas for development) are:
-visibility: the group will command more respect from the city and community can see who they are and what they have done
-communication: the group uses a google site primarily to document and communicate- this works well for them but is not very visible to people who might be searching for them
-identity: recently had a name change. they need to be clearer about who they are, so that others can form a relationship with them
There are a few ways I can address these issues:
-create easily accessible web documents stating who the group is and what they do
-provide an easy way to publish updates and meeting times (using a blogspot account linked to email seems to work well.)
-design a logo, choose fonts and colors for the group to use consistently
I'm also looking into having tech workshops specifically for community gardeners.
Here are the notes from our meeting yesterday evening:
-all of the community gardening groups I meet with cite slow processes with the city as a major issue for them
-communication between existing and potential members is sometimes inconsistent
-so far, community groups I have spoken to have individuals with widely varied tech skills
Key issues for VUAN (which are common areas for development) are:
-visibility: the group will command more respect from the city and community can see who they are and what they have done
-communication: the group uses a google site primarily to document and communicate- this works well for them but is not very visible to people who might be searching for them
-identity: recently had a name change. they need to be clearer about who they are, so that others can form a relationship with them
There are a few ways I can address these issues:
-create easily accessible web documents stating who the group is and what they do
-provide an easy way to publish updates and meeting times (using a blogspot account linked to email seems to work well.)
-design a logo, choose fonts and colors for the group to use consistently
I'm also looking into having tech workshops specifically for community gardeners.
Monday, May 4, 2009
10 hours
Went to the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network meeting this evening- I'll type up my notes on it tomorrow morning:)
Water Collection
One of the major hurdles which Emily identified in our meeting on Friday is the water hook up for new community gardens. It can be expensive and time consuming to deal with the bureaucratic processes involved. Community gardening is in part about finding ways around the system, so in line with this philosophy, I've been researching alternatives.
This collaborative project implemented at six schools in the middle east, was especially interesting. The participants involved took advantage of open design processes. Students, teachers and scientists all participated. There are also lots of projects on Instructables which are applicable. This is also a point where my research for the myhomeyourhome project overlaps with Rachelgrows- I've already done a great deal of research on rainwater collection.
If there is a building on the premises, it can be as simple as channeling the water off the roof and into a rain catching barrel. Here is a simple step-by-step on how to make one. This Instructable is very clear, and best of all talks about how to build for about 20$.
I would be interested in helping a local community garden set up a water collection system this month. It would be great to learn by doing, and to help a group become less dependent on the city's water grid.
This collaborative project implemented at six schools in the middle east, was especially interesting. The participants involved took advantage of open design processes. Students, teachers and scientists all participated. There are also lots of projects on Instructables which are applicable. This is also a point where my research for the myhomeyourhome project overlaps with Rachelgrows- I've already done a great deal of research on rainwater collection.
If there is a building on the premises, it can be as simple as channeling the water off the roof and into a rain catching barrel. Here is a simple step-by-step on how to make one. This Instructable is very clear, and best of all talks about how to build for about 20$.
I would be interested in helping a local community garden set up a water collection system this month. It would be great to learn by doing, and to help a group become less dependent on the city's water grid.
Wikinomics and Urban Ag
Dan Tapscott says:
"We can peer produce an operating system, an encyclopedia, the media, a mutual fund, and even physical things like a motorcycle. We are becoming an economy unto ourselves—a vast global network of specialized producers that swap and exchange services for entertainment, sustenance, and learning. A new economic democracy is emerging in which we all have a lead role."
This is certainly parallel to the line I have been towing in debates with my cog-sci and interactive media chums. As an era of youth brought up in the digital world, we are highly optimistic to think that the production of physical objects is subject to the same processes as digital objects. What we fail to consider are the numerous real-world potholes in the road to production, ones which I have become acutely aware of in my training as an Industrial designer. Despite the fact that I am one of the first to willingly make that jump, taking the principles of the digital realm and applying them to the physical, I am still acutely aware that there is progress yet to be made. What a bullet train is to a dirt highway- using a pin router for mass production seems archaic in the face of technologies like 3d Printing, laser cutting and CNC. Very geeky people out there are working hard to blur the lines between the real world and the internet, and they are closer together than ever before.
That said, in the context of community planning, there is still a lot of ground to cover before the mass collaboration through technology will be a stand-alone tool for developing something like food security. The major issue is that we have developed at a pace as to become reliant on capital-based massive systems to support ourselves, so whether we are able to become self-reliant, and how that transition could look is still very much up in the air. In reading the Food Secure Vancouver Baseline Report, it has become very clear to me that the city of Vancouver cannot support the food needs of its population through Urban Agriculture alone, at least, not how we are currently doing things.
So, what role can Urban Agriculture play in developing food security and improving the overall health of the Vancouver population? And, secondly, how will urban agriculture change in coming years to better suit the needs of the population?
Here are a couple interesting links I came across.
National Geographic article on green roofs, which mentions the downtown Public Library green roof. Here's more info on that.
From the National Geographic article:
Stephan Brenneisen, a Swiss scientist and a strong advocate for the biodiversity potential of living roofs, says simply, "I have to find easy, cheap solutions using materials that come from the region." That means less reliance on plastics and other energy-intensive materials between the roof structure and the plants themselves."
This speaks to the direction green roofing, and other green technologies will be moving in the future, I believe. More biomimicry and less basic attempts to "copy" nature.
Thirdly- and perhaps more importantly- will these new and innovative methods for production remain 'unfettered by the greed of corporations'? That is to say, will mass collaboration be absorbed by the millions of creative minds working to place it firmly within the grasp of middlemen, thus squelching its advantage over their existing systems?
This is a concern that I often run into when social action becomes trendy. I'm often worried that the green movement will be swept away by all the greenwashing marketing, and when the people who drive these things decide to move on, then little residual benefit will be left over.
"We can peer produce an operating system, an encyclopedia, the media, a mutual fund, and even physical things like a motorcycle. We are becoming an economy unto ourselves—a vast global network of specialized producers that swap and exchange services for entertainment, sustenance, and learning. A new economic democracy is emerging in which we all have a lead role."
This is certainly parallel to the line I have been towing in debates with my cog-sci and interactive media chums. As an era of youth brought up in the digital world, we are highly optimistic to think that the production of physical objects is subject to the same processes as digital objects. What we fail to consider are the numerous real-world potholes in the road to production, ones which I have become acutely aware of in my training as an Industrial designer. Despite the fact that I am one of the first to willingly make that jump, taking the principles of the digital realm and applying them to the physical, I am still acutely aware that there is progress yet to be made. What a bullet train is to a dirt highway- using a pin router for mass production seems archaic in the face of technologies like 3d Printing, laser cutting and CNC. Very geeky people out there are working hard to blur the lines between the real world and the internet, and they are closer together than ever before.
That said, in the context of community planning, there is still a lot of ground to cover before the mass collaboration through technology will be a stand-alone tool for developing something like food security. The major issue is that we have developed at a pace as to become reliant on capital-based massive systems to support ourselves, so whether we are able to become self-reliant, and how that transition could look is still very much up in the air. In reading the Food Secure Vancouver Baseline Report, it has become very clear to me that the city of Vancouver cannot support the food needs of its population through Urban Agriculture alone, at least, not how we are currently doing things.
So, what role can Urban Agriculture play in developing food security and improving the overall health of the Vancouver population? And, secondly, how will urban agriculture change in coming years to better suit the needs of the population?
Here are a couple interesting links I came across.
National Geographic article on green roofs, which mentions the downtown Public Library green roof. Here's more info on that.
From the National Geographic article:
Stephan Brenneisen, a Swiss scientist and a strong advocate for the biodiversity potential of living roofs, says simply, "I have to find easy, cheap solutions using materials that come from the region." That means less reliance on plastics and other energy-intensive materials between the roof structure and the plants themselves."
This speaks to the direction green roofing, and other green technologies will be moving in the future, I believe. More biomimicry and less basic attempts to "copy" nature.
Thirdly- and perhaps more importantly- will these new and innovative methods for production remain 'unfettered by the greed of corporations'? That is to say, will mass collaboration be absorbed by the millions of creative minds working to place it firmly within the grasp of middlemen, thus squelching its advantage over their existing systems?
This is a concern that I often run into when social action becomes trendy. I'm often worried that the green movement will be swept away by all the greenwashing marketing, and when the people who drive these things decide to move on, then little residual benefit will be left over.
Rainy Day Internetting
It looks like it's going to be raining all week, which puts a bit of a crimp in my volunteering plans. No matter, there's plenty to be done inside.
I'll start out by doing a bit of reading of the book "wikinomics" by Dan Tapscott. I'm interested in this book because Dan writes specifically about the applications of mass communication within the businessplace. I would like to use mass communicative tools like wikis and blogs to organize voluntary movements throughout canada, so this is pretty key reading for me. I also believe that I could function well as a media/ communications consultant for non-profits. Anyway, a little research in this direction certainly won't hurt.
I'll also send a few more emails- to the parks board people, to the vancouver fruit tree project and to city farmer. I'd like to get in communication with them, so I can start volunteering. One thing I've noticed so far is that the route to volunteering is very indirect. In terms of a webpage, it's not just one click through. Potential volunteers often have to send an email to get on a mailing list before they know what to do- I suspect that because of this, there are lots of people in the area who want to get involved, but are stuck on the runway. I'll try to address this issue.
I'll start out by doing a bit of reading of the book "wikinomics" by Dan Tapscott. I'm interested in this book because Dan writes specifically about the applications of mass communication within the businessplace. I would like to use mass communicative tools like wikis and blogs to organize voluntary movements throughout canada, so this is pretty key reading for me. I also believe that I could function well as a media/ communications consultant for non-profits. Anyway, a little research in this direction certainly won't hurt.
I'll also send a few more emails- to the parks board people, to the vancouver fruit tree project and to city farmer. I'd like to get in communication with them, so I can start volunteering. One thing I've noticed so far is that the route to volunteering is very indirect. In terms of a webpage, it's not just one click through. Potential volunteers often have to send an email to get on a mailing list before they know what to do- I suspect that because of this, there are lots of people in the area who want to get involved, but are stuck on the runway. I'll try to address this issue.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday- 8.5 hours
So- what have we accomplished for the day?
Well:
-met with Emily Jubenvill, learned about what's happening with VPSN and Vancouver Urban Ag in general
-did some research: how many community gardens there are, where they are, and how to get involved
-sent emails to Deborah Khan at the city, Shauna at VPSN, Daryl of the Oak and 16th garden: learned that VPSN isn't doing any guerrilla gardening for this month, that community garden volunteers are abundant and that there have been a couple proposals to the city for creating more unity between the urban ag community and with city hall. I'll be trying to get in contact with Alex Chisholm and David Tracey tomorrow. I'll also conduct research on a rain catching system for community gardens.
-helped Emily out with some graphics
-emailed the Vancouver Food Policy Council to find out when the next meeting is
-read the Food Secure Vancouver Baseline report
From the report:
“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle.”
What I'm thinking about right now:
One of the issues that Emily and I discussed, which I found to be equally true both online and walking through a community garden, is that it feels difficult to get involved. One of the reasons Emily mentioned that there is sometimes resistance from parks board staff to new community gardens is because there is this perception that it becomes "public private space." I think that this is a key issue to address- both online and through the garden itself.
Online- It's overwhelming trying to "find" community gardens online. Many don't have websites, and existing websites often lack a "get involved" link. This is likely because the plots are filled. Perhaps more gardens need a collective plot? Or need to host community events? Or even workshops, or classes of some kind. This could be done easily on a casual basis, on anything from composting to yoga. Either way, I think that finding ways to open up the garden to community members would lessen resistance that some new gardens encounter.
I'm going to finish up the day by seeding some sunflowers to be planted later on. It's sunflower guerrilla gardening day today!
Well:
-met with Emily Jubenvill, learned about what's happening with VPSN and Vancouver Urban Ag in general
-did some research: how many community gardens there are, where they are, and how to get involved
-sent emails to Deborah Khan at the city, Shauna at VPSN, Daryl of the Oak and 16th garden: learned that VPSN isn't doing any guerrilla gardening for this month, that community garden volunteers are abundant and that there have been a couple proposals to the city for creating more unity between the urban ag community and with city hall. I'll be trying to get in contact with Alex Chisholm and David Tracey tomorrow. I'll also conduct research on a rain catching system for community gardens.
-helped Emily out with some graphics
-emailed the Vancouver Food Policy Council to find out when the next meeting is
-read the Food Secure Vancouver Baseline report
From the report:
“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle.”
What I'm thinking about right now:
One of the issues that Emily and I discussed, which I found to be equally true both online and walking through a community garden, is that it feels difficult to get involved. One of the reasons Emily mentioned that there is sometimes resistance from parks board staff to new community gardens is because there is this perception that it becomes "public private space." I think that this is a key issue to address- both online and through the garden itself.
Online- It's overwhelming trying to "find" community gardens online. Many don't have websites, and existing websites often lack a "get involved" link. This is likely because the plots are filled. Perhaps more gardens need a collective plot? Or need to host community events? Or even workshops, or classes of some kind. This could be done easily on a casual basis, on anything from composting to yoga. Either way, I think that finding ways to open up the garden to community members would lessen resistance that some new gardens encounter.
I'm going to finish up the day by seeding some sunflowers to be planted later on. It's sunflower guerrilla gardening day today!
Research!
I'm starting my research by sending emails asking for meetings with all these lovely involved people. I'm also familiarizing myself with what community gardens there are in Van, and which ones have an online presence.
Here are a couple listings:
City of Vancouver Listing
City Farmer Listing
Gardening BC Listing
This guide from SPEC has lots of great ideas for people interested in community gardening, which contains a listing.
How useful are these listings? Are they accessible?
Here are a couple listings:
City of Vancouver Listing
City Farmer Listing
Gardening BC Listing
This guide from SPEC has lots of great ideas for people interested in community gardening, which contains a listing.
How useful are these listings? Are they accessible?
Plan!
To kick off the project, I met with Emily Jubenvill of the Vancouver Public Space Network this morning. We discussed our goals for the month, and how each of us could feed off of each others' work. She told me a bit about what VSPN is up to this month.
-submitted a proposal for a new community garden
-putting together a community garden tour
-working with a community garden in the West end and the Kerrisdale community garden
-they would like to develop a newsletter about what's going on in Vancouver urban agriculture
In relation to these, I can be helpful with the community garden tour, by visiting some of the gardens we want to get involved and possibly helping put together the map they will need. I can also help with the newsletter, by writing, laying it out, collecting images or making graphics.
We also spoke about what can be done to help new gardens get started. Some of the problems we identified:
-Land: finding it, getting it and keeping it
-Water: costs of hooking up
-Bureaucracy: applies to both land and water, as well as getting approval for a variety of other things
-Parks board applications: applies to both land and water- there seems to be a gap in communication between the parks board and community gardeners
-Fragmentation of the movement as a whole: there are a lot of people involved or interested in the movement. If they were more connected, they would have more force.
So what will I be doing to help improve these problems?
1) Research
-contacting influential members of the gardening community, people who work for the city, people who work for the parks board, and hearing more perspectives on the issues.
-learning about alternative solutions to dealing with bureaucracy, like building water collection units
2)Connection
-getting the information I collect to the right people, either through the VSPN newsletter, posters at community gardens, the vancouverurbanagriculture website etc.
-setting up some kind of meetup event. this will require talking to the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network first, to see if they're interested.
A focus for the project will be finding ways to connect people using technology, but then getting them to step out of their houses and show physical support.
-submitted a proposal for a new community garden
-putting together a community garden tour
-working with a community garden in the West end and the Kerrisdale community garden
-they would like to develop a newsletter about what's going on in Vancouver urban agriculture
In relation to these, I can be helpful with the community garden tour, by visiting some of the gardens we want to get involved and possibly helping put together the map they will need. I can also help with the newsletter, by writing, laying it out, collecting images or making graphics.
We also spoke about what can be done to help new gardens get started. Some of the problems we identified:
-Land: finding it, getting it and keeping it
-Water: costs of hooking up
-Bureaucracy: applies to both land and water, as well as getting approval for a variety of other things
-Parks board applications: applies to both land and water- there seems to be a gap in communication between the parks board and community gardeners
-Fragmentation of the movement as a whole: there are a lot of people involved or interested in the movement. If they were more connected, they would have more force.
So what will I be doing to help improve these problems?
1) Research
-contacting influential members of the gardening community, people who work for the city, people who work for the parks board, and hearing more perspectives on the issues.
-learning about alternative solutions to dealing with bureaucracy, like building water collection units
2)Connection
-getting the information I collect to the right people, either through the VSPN newsletter, posters at community gardens, the vancouverurbanagriculture website etc.
-setting up some kind of meetup event. this will require talking to the Vancouver Urban Agriculture Network first, to see if they're interested.
A focus for the project will be finding ways to connect people using technology, but then getting them to step out of their houses and show physical support.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Day 1
Actually, day one will be on Friday. That is, day one of my month-long foray into Vancouver Urban Agriculture. We're on day negative 2. I've set up this blog to document my adventures-what I learn, what I do from day to day etc. The working title of this project was originally "Spore," the idea being that I was working to develop a network between everyone involved and interested in growing things and developing food security in the city. I would have set up "vancouverurbanagriculture.blogspot" as the counterpart to the existing calgaryurbanagriculture, which I manage, but a) there's already a website under that name, and b) this blog is just to help me keep a record. After the project, I'll use it to develop my report on what I learned and who I helped.
For now, I'm busy putting together a schedule of who I'm going to volunteer for. If you know of any places in the Vancouver area that could use a helping hand, I'm available this month to get involved.
For now, I'm busy putting together a schedule of who I'm going to volunteer for. If you know of any places in the Vancouver area that could use a helping hand, I'm available this month to get involved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)