ABOUT THE PROJECT: In an effort to align with standards set for the businesses they support around the globe, the International Finance Corporation engages with an internal “Footprint Program” dedicated to is educating staff around the world about environmentally friendly practices and the encouragement of staff in reducing waste and paper consumption. thINK was an innovative, temporary installation and campaign created in partnership with the Footprint Program to change the printing habits of the IFC employees.

Tasked with engaging employees in a new way, that looked beyond previous paper saving campaigns, the team of students developed a multi layered campaign around the devastating impacts of ink waste around the world. The installation was called thINK with the tagline “thINK before you INK.” The campaign was graphically represented through CMYK colors, faces of the global population served by the IFC, and statistics about IFC paper and ink usage. The actual installation, which spanned a several-week campaign at the IFC’s headquarter building, involved digital informational posters, environmentally friendly vinyl applications to the elevators, CMYK colored “tape attacks” to the printers, and a massive suspended installation in the 13-story atrium. All design choices sought to create impact with a limited amount of printing.

The thINK campaign urged the IFC employees to reflect on their printing habits and connect their actions to a greater global impact. Proving that when they thINK before they ink, they will act in a way that will inspire others.