CONSCUME :: A guide to conscious consumption.

Featured Contributor // Chuck Anderson (aka No Pattern)

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:26:43 +0000

I wanted to feature a few of the incredible contributors we’ve had to the project. The first is Chuck Anderson (aka No Pattern, @nopattern.com). If you don’t know the name, you’ve definitely seen his work (if you’re on a PC, there’s a viagraod chance it’s your desktop wallpaper). Check out his full body of work at http://www.nopattern.com.

Also to see his collaboration w/ Word Made Flesh for the “This is What Matters to Me” project, go to http://tinyurl.com/23uys5j.

Good to meet you!

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:24:32 +0000

Hello world! We are Kharma NYC, a collaborative, cause-driven, lifestyle brand aimed at colliding the worlds of consumption and good deeds.

We are uncontrollably excited to be launching our first project, aimed to bring attention to a amazing lesser known causes/organizations. Coined “This is What Matters to Me”, we asked 9 internationally recognized designers to take a step back from their commercially focused work and create a piece of artwork for an organization and cause that has had an impact on their lives.

The international cast of designers includes Mario Hugo, Non-Format, No Pattern, Emil Kozak, Marta Cerda Alimbau, Gary Fernandez, Keetra Dean Dixon, Grandpeople, and D.kele.

You can see the full line at http://www.KharmaNYC.com

For more updates, join us on Facebook or on Twitter @KharmaNYC

Panera’s new “pay what you can” restaurants

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:43:22 +0000

This is a model that we’ve seen in the music industry (Radiohead & Girltalk are some of the first I can remember), but for a store to actually take this to the brick & mortar model takes some huevos. Panera’s new shop opened up last minth in Clayton, Mo., near the company’s headquarters.

“The idea for Panera’s first nonprofit restaurant was to open an eatery where people paid what they could… About 60% to 70% pay in full. About 15% leave a little more and another 15% pay less, or nothing at all. A handful have left big donations, like $20 for a cup of coffee.”

Obviously this business model isn’t going to hold up across the franchise, but it’s good to see that it’s extending into areas beyond digital media where it can actually start to have an impact on society. While it’s still in it’s first month and long term success remains to be seen, Kudos to Panera for dabbling with this experiment.