Planting a forest of creativity in San Francisco

In the spring of 2011, The Urban Forest Project will plant 100 street banners by students, artists and designers in downtown San Francisco. Each banner will use the form of, or metaphor for, a tree to make a powerful visual statement about the environment. Together they’ll create a forest of thoughtful images in one of the world’s most creative and sustainable cities. The project is being brought to San Francisco as a platform to engage the public in the City’s environmental efforts.

A model of sustainability

In celebration of the year of Earth Day, the banners will be hung on light poles in high-traffic areas of San Francisco. Once the banners come down, they will be recycled and repurposed into unique products designed exclusively for the project by Academy of Art University students, to be sold through this website. The proceeds will benefit Friends of the Urban Forest to sustain their mission of “creating a greener San Francisco, tree by tree.”

A brief history

The Urban Forest Project was originally executed in New York City’s Times Square in the fall of 2006 in partnership with Worldstudio, Times Square Alliance and AIGA NY. San Francisco is among the first in a series of planned executions worldwide. To learn more, visit UFP Global.

This project is being brought to you by

This project, conceived by Worldstudio, is being presented in San Francisco in collaboration with: the City of San Francisco, Academy of Art University and AIGA San Francisco.

Website

This website was developed by Judy Zhao, a BFA student in the School of Web Design & New Media at the Academy of Art University.

Sponsorship

This highly visible environmental, public arts, educational initiative unites the public, creative professionals, the business community, local government, educators and students. Visit the sponsors section of this website to learn more about how your company or organization can benefit by aligning with The Urban Forest Project San Francisco.

Participating Designers

San Francisco has one of the most energetic and innovative art and design communities in the country. Community response to this inspiring project has been very enthusiastic, with over 150 designers contributing submissions from throughout San Francisco, including AIGA members, and the students, faculty and alumni from the Academy of Art University. Each project participant was given the following brief as a guide in the creation of their artwork: Begin with the form, idea or a characteristic of a tree and use it to interpret and explore an issue around the environment that you feel is pressing, or an idea you find entertaining or intriguing.

All submitted designs are posted here, with designation of the 100 designs selected to be produced as street banners.