Because of CES last week and MacWorld this week, there were several articles in the business press discussing how computer and consumer electronics companies were planning to counter Apple Inc.’s dominance of their product categories. Apple’s success is now the model to follow for manufacturers of everything from music players and music download systems to computers, phones, even retail stores.

I've given several lectures in the past 6 months on sustainable design and, in each one, there's always a question about "who is doing the more sustainable design in the market right now?" My talk at MacWorld today was no exception.

While there are many companies exploring and manufacturing products that excel in sustainable criteria, one of the most recognizable and easy-to-understand for people is Apple.

As of this morning, DMBA program has officially received 60 applications so far! Given that we're only looking for 25-30 total for the program it looks, after less than 5 months, we've already found enough fantastic students to have a full program in the program's first year. Of course, we don't yet know how many are qualified but, based on the students I've interviewed over the phone and in person over the past months, I'm very confidently that we have some awesome students in this first cohort. We'll start the process of reviewing these applications and will be making the first acceptances in mid-February.

I think this is also more indication that these issues are resonating with people and that the time is right to be seriously addressing how design and business can better create change in the world, together.