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Product Design: Internet Resources

Sustainable Product Design

EPA: Greener Living - The Environmental Protection Agency has tools to help you understand environmental issues and how to reduce your environmental footprint.

LEED - The U.S. Green Building Council developed of the LEED green building rating system to measure environmental impact, including evaluations of the material health of the project and water and energy use.

LEED Credit Library - The LEED certification system awards points for sustainability; the LEED credit library shows what’s required for certification and how to earn points.

Living Product Challenge - From the International Living Future Institute, this framework is for creating materials that are healthy and free of toxins, socially responsible and respect the rights of workers, and benefit both people and the environment.

Declare - Also from the International Living Future Institute, this database of "nutrition labels for products" lists all ingredients in a product and uses a color code system to flag chemicals of concern.

U.N. Environment Programme - Responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system, this global authority has programs focusing on climate, nature, pollution, sustainable development, and more.

Copyright & Patent Research

Copyright Public Records Portal - All the information needed, including searchable databases, to find copyright records held by the U.S. Copyright Office.

Patent Public Search - This database from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) provides access to all patents registered with the USPTO.

Trademark Electronic Search System - This database from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) provides access to all trademarks registered or applied for with the USPTO.

Google Patents Search - Search this database for granted patents and applications from U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and translated patents from multiple international bodies.

Award-Winning Design

Best of NeoCon - Showcasing the best materials from NeoCon, the material trade fair, this site provides images and manufacturing information on innovative and sustainable new materials.

Good Design Awards - Founded by the former MoMA curator Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., Charles and Ray Eames, Russel Wright, George Nelson, and Eero Saarinen, these awards are granted to industrial and graphic designers and manufacturers.

International Design Awards - These awards are granted to emerging talent in architecture, interior, product, graphic, and fashion design worldwide.

iF Design Awards - From the non-profit iF Design Foundation, these awards focus on design and its social significance.

Product News

Material ConneXion: Materials Matter - These videos from Material ConneXion feature discussions of innovative ways of creating materials.

Design Better - From design educators Aarron Walter and Eli Woolery, this podcast covers all aspects of the design world.

Detroit: City of Design Podcast - As stewards of Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design Designation, this podcast explores how design can create conditions for better quality of life and economic opportunities for all.

Creative Control - Formerly Creative Conversations, this podcast from Fast Company examines the forces that shape the creator economy and what it means for the future.

Eames Office - These articles focus on the designs of Ray and Charles Eames, incorporating historic imagery from the Eames Office archive.

Wacky World of Rubber - This weekly blog provides information on all things rubber, from new products to branding to innovative materials.

College for Creative Studies website