Blog Archives - Page 2 of 10

Wondering what you can do after watching War on Waste?

BlogAugust 21, 2023August 21, 2023

The Corban & Blair team has been watching the War on Waste, an eye-opening documentary series by ABC. Hosted by journalist Craig Reucassel, the series reveals how much waste our world produces today. It shows how this waste harms the environment and encourages people to think about their daily choices.

Through captivating storytelling and compelling statistics, War on Waste challenges society’s complacency towards waste management and prompts a critical reevaluation of consumer habits. By delving into the realms of single-use plastics, food waste, and more, the series not only raises awareness about the pressing issues at hand but also empowers individuals to become agents of change in the ongoing battle for a more sustainable future.

Some of the things we are doing together as an office to reduce our waste:

Using reusable cups, containers and utensils
Printing Mindfully – Only printing when necessary and using recycled paper
Recycling stations set up around the office
Electronic Waste Recycling
Use energy generated by Solar
Turn off lights, computers, and other electronic devices when not in use
Using the offcuts we generate in the manufacturing process to make new products
Support repair and recycling programs
Choose loose fruit and veg and take reusable produce bags
Shopping at the market and opting for items in paper or glass
Composting
Reduce Food Waste – Plan meals, store food properly and eat up leftovers

Support the BYO Friday initiative:

If you’re heading to the office on Friday, remember your reusables and don’t be shy! Spread the word and let everyone in your office know that you’ve joined the #BYOFriday movement to ditch single use every Friday! Find out more here.
As product designers, we place a high importance on both the products we design and the waste they might generate. We pay close attention to the products we create, how long they last, and what happens to them after their usefulness ends. These factors are at the core of our design philosophy.

Our objective is to choose materials that have a minimal impact on the environment. We aim to create items that are adaptable, can be used again, and have multiple purposes. Additionally, we make an effort to use as little packaging as possible, opting for pre-used boxes and packing materials.

Catch up on the War on Waste on ABC iView here.

Designing for minimal impact

BlogAugust 14, 2023August 14, 2023

At Corban & Blair, we’re all about designing for minimal impact. We use recycled and carbon-neutral materials and design for use and relevance. We encourage our clients to think sustainably when considering their product solutions, rather than opt for a ‘use once and throw away’ product. After all, we’re not just designing for today, but for future generations to come.

When it comes to manufacturing, Corban & Blair support local businesses and work with a network of local manufacturers, printers, and artisans. Our carbon-neutral frames are New Zealand made, but we don’t limit ourselves to just Australia and New Zealand.

There are some items that just can’t be made here. For those, we’ve built a strong partnership with a family business in China. We have vetted our supply chain, this wasn’t just a business decision, but a response to our clients’ growing desire for locally sourced, authentic, and eco- friendly products that speak volumes about their company’s values and commitment to the planet.

How can we throw away less and do something for the planet?

BlogJuly 18, 2023July 18, 2023

WASTE NOT EVERYDAY by Erin Rhoads is a step-by-step guide with 365 easy changes that will not only influence what you throw out but also have a genuine impact on the future of our planet.

Split into four easy-to-follow parts, Waste Not Everyday features simple tips that will lead to a real shift in thinking and action and show you that a zero-waste lifestyle is actually achievable – for everyone, every budget and every schedule.

With tips ranging from actions and inspiration to recipes and resources, Erin Rhoads, well-known zero-waste advocate and author of Waste Not, takes you on a journey towards a life with less waste and more meaning. 5% of author profits are donated to Waste Aid Australia.

Here are a handful of the topics the book talk about:

Setting up a plastic free challenge for yourself
the simple swaps and how to make new habits stick
how to conduct a bin audit and plastic audit
what you can do to reduce your kitchen waste
Growing food and composting
how to make safe and low waste cleaning products
Decluttering kindly
Caring, fixing and repairing
Tips for second hand shopping and extending the life of your clothes
How to make your own beauty products or find low waste options plus other personal care solutions
hosting and navigating events of your own and with family/friends
Preparing for children, nappies, kids parties, toys even pets
Eating out, travelling and being low waste in the office
The different ways to act your vision through activism

To order her books, visit Hardie Grant publishing website.

IWF Cornerstone International Conference in Helsinki

BlogJune 30, 2023June 30, 2023

Every year, the International Women’s Forum (IWF) conducts a leadership conference that brings together women leaders from over 50 countries. The conference aims to educate, inform, and inspire these women leaders to be ahead of the change that is needed in the world. Locally IWF Australia prides itself on being a network that is more about our ‘net’ than our ‘work’. We connect as women. Grow as leaders. And shape leadership for the future.

Gillian Corban attended the recent conference held in Helsinki Finland along with 24 other Australian leaders.

Session Topics covered were Acting Differently: The Climate Imperative, Finnish Design: Form Function and the Culture of Thinking Differently, A View From the Border: The changing Security Landscape, A Brave New World: The Transformation of the Global Diet, An Elegantly Modelled Future: Quantum Computing, The How and Why of Happiness.

The content was informative meeting global members was inspirational. Corban & Blair were honoured to design and create gifts made in Australia.

Corban & Blair in collaboration with Indigenous artists Lucy Simpson and The Social Outfit designed and made the gifts given to speakers at this year’s conference.

Speakers gift made for the @iwfglobal Cornerstone Conference Helsinki 2023. Corban & Blair collaborated with @thesocialoutfit and First Nations artist Lucy Simpson (@gmiyay )to create this custom made pouch.

The Social Outfit is a fashion and textiles social enterprise based in Sydney, Australia. The organisation provides employment and training opportunities to refugees and new migrants and uses surplus and donated fabrics from local fashion houses to create high-quality, sustainable fashion products.

Lucy Simpson is a contemporary First Nations artist and designer from the Yuwaalaraay community in North Western New South Wales, Australia. Her design for the conference gift is inspired by the rivers of her country. The result is a unique design that reflects the beauty and diversity of Indigenous art and culture.

Notebooks made from carton boxes

BlogMay 19, 2023May 19, 2023

Re-purposing fruit and wine carton boxes into notebooks

The Carton Notebook is an excellent choice for individuals who value unique and sustainable products. Each notebook is made from pre-used boxes that are collected locally, giving it a distinct character that sets it apart.

The notebook is filled with 100% recycled paper stock, and the covers are made from repurposed fruit and wine boxes that would otherwise contribute to landfill. The covers showcase unique branding designed to identify and sell produce of various kinds, making each notebook one-of-a-kind.

Fruit and wine boxes were collected from local businesses around Sydney. Boxes were sorted and hand cut to the correct size for front and back notebook covers.

View the entire range of carton notebooks.

New Thomas Avery MAYAN in Navy

BlogMay 8, 2023May 8, 2023

The Thomas Avery MAYAN range is a collection of work essentials that feature design by First Nations artist Thomas ‘Bagaay’ Avery.

The range includes a luggage tag, travel wallet, A5 journal, laptop sleeve, tech pouch, and cardholder, all available in a new navy colour. Perfect for professionals who want to add a touch of personality to their work accessories.

To view our new Thomas’s new MAYAN range click here.

2023 What will it bring?

BlogFebruary 15, 2023February 15, 2023

2023 What will it bring? Who knows? – from my research among learned friends, the media, extensive reading, and many podcasts it suggests that having a meaningful purpose will be helpful guide for decision making.

Keep an open positive mind, check facts, care about what you do, and who you do it with.

Be kind to others and care for our environment and all that exists in it.

Mostly- be comfortable with being uncomfortable as the future is always unknown.

If you want to be inspired read The Book of Hope. Interviews and wisdom from Jane Goodall.

Gillian
January 2023

CREATIVITY IS EVERYWHERE- thank goodness!

BlogJanuary 23, 2023January 23, 2023

Our team at Corban & Blair were just delighted to find that our new bookkeeper is another creative.

Her artistic practice is making small detailed crocheted items, mainly animals that are just gorgeous, detailed and funny.

“Crochet is a process of creating textiles by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread, or strands of other materials. The name is derived from the French term crochet, meaning ‘hook’. Hooks can be made from a variety of materials, such as metal, wood, bamboo, or plastic”

A lovely piece is a small lemon with a smiley face for our work dog called LEMON. We are sure he is joying having it on his harness!

We thought the people who read our blog would also enjoy them.

Window gallery this week: Nikki Choi

BlogDecember 12, 2022December 12, 2022

Our Christmas exhibition is Korean born artist Nikki Choi

Nikki has a passion for two things: art and travel. The best of the two worlds come into one. Being an adventurer, and having travelled the world, what she sees, feels, and experiences in different cultures play into the canvas, whether it’s the Georgian mountains, Scottish high lands, Dutch flower fields, crystal clear turquoise waters of Tahiti, Italian Tuscany villages surrounded by vast vine yards, French medieval towns, Bali rice fields, or just the stunning beaches in Sydney! Reflecting her positive and upbeat personality, she loves happy paintings that bring your soul back in nature! Her paintings contain peaceful and vibrant abstract landscapes in beautiful compositions that will lighten up any home or business and add some spice to your life!

To learn more about Nikki, visit her website or her lovely Instagram page.

Sunshine

This artwork is an expression of the vivid urban green environment in Sydney, as if you are walking down the street on a sunshiny day. It captures the essence of beautiful Sydney with a feeling of watching the scenery on your walk including sailing boats, the Sydney harbor, rivers, buildings, parks and botanical gardens along the way.

Green Georgia

Inspired by the stunning mountain landscapes of the Caucuses Mountain ranges while traveling the amazing country of Georgia, these are my interpretation and expression of its beautiful green mountains and the melting glacier water in summer.

Consider thoughtful gifting this holiday

BlogDecember 9, 2022December 9, 2022

Giving to show you Care

After a busy and uncertain year, how we reward and acknowledge our friends & family really matters.

Is the gift useful, will it be appreciated, is it relevant, is it memorable, does it have a story, if it is an item does it provide its provenance, can it be recycled, can it be up-cycled.

The choices we make have an impact, especially on the environment.

We ask that we all choose gifting carefully, as we want to delight, while at the same time protect our environment.

If you are looking for a thoughtful gift for your friends and family, here are some sustainable and thoughtful gifting ideas.