Eric Benson
Climate designer and educator focusing on systems thinking and regenerative materials
My work occurs both in design practice and in the classroom. I am interested in future utopias and dystopias that are designed and imagined. For the former, my projects "Fresh Press Agri-fiber Paper Lab" and "Re-nourish.org" investigate hopeful regenerative materials and strategies to create in harmony with and to renourish the planet.
As climate change could also plausibly create a disastrous dystopian future, I also explore that possibility through climate fiction writing and design work that extrapolates current climate science into worst case scenarios. These pieces can serve as a cautionary tale to encourage climate action. These climate-fused design interests also exist in my college courses through small and large scale projects based on systems thinking design strategies from my book "Design to Renourish".
Listen to our interview with Eric on our podcast
Projects
Fresh Press Studio
We want to change the paper supply chain from forest to farm.
At Fresh Press, we explore and enact the potential of regional sustainable agricultural fiber waste as paper and paper products. Watch our video to learn more.
Case study »
Re-nourish
Re-nourish is an award-winning 501(c) that advocates for increased awareness & action for sustainable systems thinking in the communication design community.