Holbrook Life’s Post

I am really excited to see that Dan Bee, my former student, has won 2 European Product Design Awards for her ‘Litter Ridder’ sweeping toy. This concept was conceived in my VT Industrial Design lab during the fall of 2022 based on a brief to explore past, obscure and electricity-free design that in many cases deserves reconsideration within current sustainable design discourse. Here, Dan Bee's class developed redesigns for the humble, manually-powered carpet sweeper, first introduced in the 19th century. Offered 2 years in a row, the range of design approaches were broad and addressed many different user types. Carpet Sweepers are quiet, use no electricity, yet they are surprisingly effective. Several sweepers, including a fully operational 1924 antique, were tested by students first-hand and with outside users.  Bissell and others continue to produce these today. The brief was informed by my book “Reimagining Alternative Technology for Design in the 21st Century” which broadly surveys these kinds of passive and manual technologies, with examples ranging from Persian Wind Catchers, Fireless Cookers, Zeer Pots and (of course) Manual Carpet Sweepers. Many of these technologies might not fully replace the ones we use today, but they certainly provide insight into designing more conscientiously with energy use, material lifecycle and longevity in mind. To that end, Dan Bee’s concept also proposes a repairable configuration using materials developed from renewable resources, including mycelium. As a toy, it also offers educational value to the young users who would be first to use them. Bravo Dan Bee!!! 

How to Draw Plants and Landscapes by Hilary Newhall RHS Show Exhibitor 2024, Hilary Newhall, has created a resource pack to teach her past apprentices how to draw plants and landscapes. This valuable resource has now been transformed into a concise, bitesize video for everyone to watch. Hilary hopes you find it helpful. For any questions or more information, please contact Hilary at info@allchangeconsulting.co.uk. #RHSTattonPark #allchangeconsulting #TheSecretGarden #LandscapeArchitecture #RHSRecommended

How does #ArdenUniversity achieve high #usage of their library resources? Emily Clarke, Deputy Head of Library Services, explains! 👇👇 "We think it's down to the embedded approach that's driving the really high engagement." To watch the FULL success story, and pick up some great tips and tricks for your library >>https://lnkd.in/eY27gBgt #LibraryResources #GaleResearchComplete #Library #Tips

How to organize plants into a symphony to influence our perception, emotions, and movements is what I learned in my third plant focused class of LARCP! We were tasked with creating an educational, pollinator attracting, highly planted entry garden for the new K-State Garden Center. The multipurpose building will house a restaurant, cafe, visitor center, and office space. My approach to plant organization was to create a juxtaposition between ornamental plants in terraced beds and native plants allocated to bio swales and retention areas. The separation of the two emphasizes to visitors the varying types of plants and plant functions.

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A #happyworkplace starts with recognizing what is important to your team members. This week at RC Mowers, some of our engineering team members hypothesized how many heads of lettuce they could consume in one sitting and ran the experiment. Adding comradery, some healthy competition, and lots of laughs is what this small event meant this week. So proud to work with a company that values the things their team does...even a lettuce challenge. For those that I have enticed with the challenge, our answer was 2... 2 heads in one sitting. Any workplace want to perform their own experiment? We are happy to go "head-to-head" in another challenge. #lettuceentertainyou

Fables for the Board Room I have been reflecting on the fundamental teachings, or rather, the foundational lessons, that can be gleaned from the ancient fables which have been passed down through generations and shared with children from early on. I ponder if we have veered away from the tradition of reading these timeless tales to our young ones repeatedly, until the narratives become ingrained in our subconscious minds, shaping our behaviors as we mature into adults. These stories hold a depth and wisdom, some without a clearly defined author, almost as if they have emerged from the depths of time to guide us toward a better future. Consider, for instance, the tale of the Three Little Pigs. I have recited this nursery rhyme countless times. It is a narrative brimming with wisdom that boardrooms can adopt and C-Suites can emulate. Its lesson transcends mere diligence and perseverance. While two pigs opt for the easier paths of straw and sticks, diverting their attention to other pursuits, the third pig dedicates himself to constructing a house of stone. The key to eventual success lay not solely in hard work. Even if there were no wolf, the straw and stick abodes would have eventually succumbed to other threats like wind or fire. What set the third pig apart was his foresight in building something durable that suited its environment. It demanded hard work, foresight, and critical thinking. Within the confines of a boardroom, a delicate balance exists between two pivotal elements that should underpin all deliberations - growth and risk. One may consider erecting a larger or swifter or more cost-effective structure using sticks. However, the quality of construction is paramount, as is the value attributed to the individuals who are responsible for the building process. What risks are entailed in either delaying or hastening the construction? The pig that erected the brick house comprehended the threats posed by wolves and weather. This pig possessed the knowledge to construct a robust dwelling with the appropriate materials. Does your company possess the necessary components to navigate the challenges in your industry? Are you effectively harmonizing aspirations for growth with a prudent assessment of the risks to long-term sustainability? When the inevitable wolf arrives, as they always do, demanding a day of reckoning, will they possess the might to withstand the onslaught and endure, or will their abode crumble with a mere huff and puff? #leadership #boardroom #nurseryrhymes

From the 1st day of orientation to the final exams, the journey to graduation is filled with countless memorable moments. Share your favorite memories, photos & stories from your time at LDC using #51stLDCGraduation Let's celebrate the bonds that will last a lifetime! #LDCUgCT

Thinking of signing up to our Seminar Series? Here's what our 2023 attendees thought. Head over to our website to sign up and hear from speakers from across the globe. #trellisseminarseries24 #therapeutichorticulture #gardeningforwellbeing

People wonder what it looks like when you spend time at Red Chair Ranch. Here are a few photos of what it looked like last week, and the impact it had. #redchairranch #redchaircoaching #executivecoaching #teambuilding #clarity redchaircoaching.com