February 8th, 2010
Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing products.
“Approximately 65,000 premature deaths from cardiopulmonary causes may be attributable to particulate air pollution each year,” according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. It not only kills people, but leaf bowers also kill wildlife such as bees, butterfles, insects and plants. With the high power blowers, they spread disease, and possible toxic fungi that the leaves cover up. It even has been documented that leaf blowers have caused the following ailments: but is not limited to, the following: hearing loss, greater risk of heart attacks, depressed immunity, increased adrenaline, change of heart beat, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, social discord, impaired communication, heightened social conflicts and increased psychological, social and emotional problems.
I had no clue leaf blowers did this, but then again I have never used one because as child I was always put to working raking up leaves. Then of course to jump in them and spread them all over again, that is half the fun.
Tags: dust. environment, lawns, leaf blowers
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February 5th, 2010
Promotional Displays
To promote means encouragement on progress, growth, or the acceptance of something, but in this case it means advertising or publicity. Promotional displays are seen in lots of places in stores, grocery stores, trade shows, even within companies themselves.
Typically, these are meant to sell a product, give information, or show a sale or clearance. Again, they are designed by advertisers and/or graphic designers depending on the company. Promotional displays try to catch the attention of passer-bys and by-standers.
I suggest next time you go into a grocery store see how many promotional displays you find. I bet you never noticed them before.
Tags: advertising, information, product, promotional displays, What is Design
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February 4th, 2010
Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs
Some of you may be asking why? I know I did, while I am not a fan of the moth ball smell they always seemed to work. But mothballs contain a pesticide called napthalene which the EPA has linked even short-term exposure to cataracts, liver and nuerological damage.
It has been found that moths do not like the smell of cloves, fresh rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. For an easy way to replace your mothballs, put them in some cheesecloth material, or a lightweight material and hang them from your closet.
I hope you’ll try out this alternative and let us know the results. I know I will when the time comes. One less thing to buy even because I have those herbs in my spice cabinet.
Tags: clothes, environment, herbs, mothballs, save
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February 3rd, 2010
Corporate reports are comprehensive information that describes the activities and overviews and organizaation.
This combined with research done by account executives or the graphic designer themselves gives the graphic designer information on the market. This type of technique is used more in the advertising business to learn about competition, think of tactics, learn about their target audience, and pitch and idea to a client. This extra information is especially important because it is what will differentiate that advertisement from others.
Tags: corporate reports, Graphic Design, what are
Posted in What is Design? | 1 Comment »
February 2nd, 2010
Have your home tested for radon.
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that unlike other gases cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. It is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year by causing lung cancer. Second only to lung cancer. It is not specific to one area, but is found all over the U.S. Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, water, and rocks. Radon can be found in any type of building but is most detrimental in your home because that is where you spend most of your time.
There are two types of tests, long term and short term. The short term takes 2 to 90 days depending on the test kit you buy, while the long term has to remain in your house for at least 90 days if not longer. To see if you need to do something about possible radon in your home, it is suggested you do the short term test, wait for the results and then do another short term or long term depending on those results. Radon varies as well in seasons and temperatures, so it is suggested especially if you have a high radon reading to do a long term test to see your average over several seasons.
To get in contact with someone to test your radon check out Radon: Where you live.
Tags: environment, hazards, radon testing
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January 29th, 2010
Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
When I think of mouse traps, I tend to think of ones that hurt the mice. But I do not like that, while mice are gross in your house I can’t stand the idea of killing them, and then the even worse part of seeing them dead and having to throw them away. I think it would make me upset.
Therefore, I looked into humane mouse traps that do not use rat and/or mouse poison. I found there are all sorts of humane mouse traps to get rid of those pesky little fellas. Be sure when you use a humane mouse trap that you check the trap every 6 to 8 hours or they may die of dehydration. And then of course release them about 5 miles away from your house and preferably from other houses. Or your neighbors may not like you. See other types of humane ideas at ehow.
And of course there are still your basic everyday traps that you see all the time in houses.
Tags: environment, mice, poisons, rats
Posted in TriLeaf's Eco Tips | 2 Comments »
January 28th, 2010
Some people think of journals, as newspaper. Well, they can be but they can also be writing journals for poets, writers, novelist, diaries, and sketchbooks. Graphic designs design the looks of these as well. They may not always be designed by designers, but they are used for creative personalities. Thus having a graphic designer design them only make sense.
The main thing that a graphic designer has to keep in mind is the writing area. Some people like tight lines, other like more space and even yet some like no lines at all.
Tags: Graphic Design, journals, layouts, personalities, types, What is
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January 26th, 2010
If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
Lead paint is a huge health hazard. Two-thirds of the homes built before 1940 and one-half of the homes built from 1940 to 1960 contain heavily-leaded paint which may cause you problems especially if you don’t know it. Homes even built after 1960 also contain heavily-leaded paint, though that number goes down to one-third. It could be on interior or exterior surfaces, particularly on woodwork, doors, and windows. It is suggested that you consider having the paint in homes constructed before the 1980s tested for lead before renovating, especially if the paint or underlying surface is deteriorating. Make sure to be very cautious especially if infants, children, or pregnant women are present.
There are also other ways to help prevent lead poisoning.
- have the paint removed and/or replaced
- paint over the existing paint using a sealant
Tags: environment, health hazard, lead paint, saving
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January 21st, 2010
Since we’ve been talking about compositions and layouts, I hope you realize the sheer complexity that comes with each layout and the many decisions that must be made along the way.
Here are just a number of types of publications that graphic designers would deal with along the way according to our job description:
Tags: composition, Graphic Design, journals, layout, logo design, newspaper, packaging, publications, reports, web design, What is
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January 19th, 2010
When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result
This is a no brainer I think. But it seems to me that most things now have a non-toxic version. Look at the labels and find out more about whats in your cleaner. Toxins may include phosphates which are bad for groundwater and some contain bleach and other corrosives that hurt the environment.
Tags: cleaning, environment, non-toxic, savings
Posted in TriLeaf's Eco Tips | 1 Comment »