About

BIO

I am preparing to graduate from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in graphic design. My lifelong interest in the natural environment developed while growing up in rural New Hampshire, whereas studying at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore elevated my excitement for fine art and visual communication. Places I have lived and traveled inform my work as I explore a variety of media while upholding a high level of environmental responsibility. The power and subtleties of typography inspire me as much as the possibilities of a digital photograph, the sight of a kite in the sky, or the resonance of a single musical tone.

If you’d like to see more of my work, please visit www.annaeshelman.com.

ABOUT THE GREEN DESIGN RESOURCE

After completing a number of online carbon footprint calculators, I found that although there are ways I am helping to minimize my CO2 output, there are still many changes I could make to further reduce my global impact. The calculators’ questions inspired me to thoroughly investigate my life and research how to reduce my carbon impact at home, on the go, and as a graphic designer.

This personal research (see My Carbon Footprint to learn more) prompted me to create a resource for myself and other graphic designers who want to incorporate sustainable practices into their work. I am constantly learning new information not only about the severity of the climate crisis, but also about how positive actions, on the individual, local, and global levels, really can and do make a difference. Designers have the power to inform, inspire, and hopefully initiate change — even if this change is as simple as changing light bulbs or switching from buying paper made from virgin lumber to paper with recycled content.

Viridiarium (means a tree garden, or a green place) takes the form of an interactive blog that I hope will not only spread information but encourage conversation. Explore the categories to find a subject you’re interested in, from vegetable-based ink to wind power. Learn about what artists and designers are doing now to implement sustainable practices. Check out the Glossary which clarifies such terms as “Elemental Chlorine Free” and organizations such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Although this blog is geared towards graphic designers, I post inspirations of any subject that I find relevant to reducing our collective carbon footprint.

This site is only a beginning. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any information pertinent to the theme of this site and would like to share, let me know and I will gladly post it!

Thank you very much for visiting.

Anna Eshelman

anna.eshelman (at) gmail.com
www.annaeshelman.com