Two questions posed: Where are you coming from? What kind of designer are you? A directive to choose one of 5 different coloured cords representing different affinities/starting points: Cultural/Social (orange), Environmental (green), Political (red), Aesthetics / Beauty (blue), Other(pink). A collective act: of individuals sharing and knotting small pieces of cord/string together creating a collective thread.MEANS OF SURPASSING BARRIERS TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN. Abstract making to think exercises to help deal with cognitive dissonance and anchor concepts and concerns presented in an ecological perspectives lecture course at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.