Products of Slavery Interactive Map

Anti-Slavery International has developed an incredibly useful and informative map pinpointing countries where slavery thrives and the products that come from forced and child labor. Check it out.

"As consumers we have the ability to exercise ethical choices about what we buy. Companies will respond by taking steps to ensure that the conditions within their own supply chains meet consumers’ demands and respect human rights. Companies are reliant on the sale and reputation of their products, therefore as consumers the power lies with us to tell companies that we will not tolerate the use of slavery in the production of the goods we spend our money on. "

http://productsofslavery.org/

The Badger Herald: Fair Trade CEO says students play new role in businesses

The Badger Herald: Fair Trade CEO says students play new role in businesses

Creating a Conscious Consumer

A recurring theme throughout my research: the importance of consumer consciousness...

"Through their conscious purchases, consumers tell companies that they care about the farmers and workers who produce their products" {fairtradeusa.org}

"There's a golden mean of producing food that allows the conscious consumer to eat an ethical diet in a globalizing world" {James e. McWilliams, Just Food}

"Packaging is the first contact a person has with a product. Packaging thus offers a chance to tell people something they don't already know. In some cases, the message on the package might be something that only becomes important to the purchasers when they see it there in print on the store shelf. Until they see it and process it, they don't realize that it is something they care about" {Wendy Jedlicka, Packaging Sustainability}

Evidently, there's a lot to be said in the context of a store. I'm contemplating the idea of "creating a conscious consumer" by encouraging presence in the grocery store. What if the consumer contemplated her purchase instead of hurrying through the store on autopilot or on her iPhone. What would happen if we knew where our food came from or how it got to us? I want to advocate life and make people more globally aware/appreciative. 

Ethical Consumption: Consumer Driven Or Political Phenomenon?

ScienceDaily (2007-08-08) -- The most effective campaigns to encourage ethical consumption are those that take place at a collective level, such as the creation of fairtrade cities, rather than those that target individual behavior, according to new research. This suggests that ethical consumption is best understood as a political phenomenon rather than simply a market response to consumer demand.  Read More

Initial Intent

THERE ARE 27 MILLION SLAVES IN THE WORLD. More men, women and children are enslaved today than ever before in history. Even the entire African Slave Trade did not amount to this many, yet most of us sit by and allow it to happen. What’s worse, in countless ways we support slave labor and human trafficking through our day-to-day lifestyles. 


I believe that we have not only grown callous to statistics, but we have also grown indifferent to the social and economic implications of our consumption. When I view 27 million as more than a number, and consider each life that comprises that total, I am stirred to action. Although both products and organizations exist to support Fair Trade and inform the public, the consumer’s options, resources, and knowledge of Fair Trade are extremely limited. 

DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE. As a designer, I see multiple opportunities to enact change in both producers and consumers to support Fair Trade. For my project I will pursue these options:


1|     Graphically represent slave labor/consumption in an impactful way

2|     Design systems and strategies to make Fair Trade a more efficient and 
        affordable option (exploring packaging options, etc.)

3|     Create an online portal for the consumer to find and support all Fair Trade
        Certified products with ease and learn about other opportunities to help