design (re)affirmation

after sitting through a day (plus some) of the social studies design conference ("educating designers in a connected world") being put on by the mica graphic design mfa guys this fall break, i am reassured more than ever that design can move mountains. even if it is by simply going back to the basics and designing a poster with a purpose. a message. i've been taking so many notes, but for now i just want to share a link, beautiful angle, that was suggested to me by someone during the conference. it's two artists in tacoma, washington who are using letterpress to design a discourse in their city. i can't think of a better connection between all of the design educator's discussions at the conference and my own focus right now on community arts/social design/urbanism by way of "studio baltimore." (scott stowell aside. obviously.) some really good stuff and thoughtful words.