Posts Tagged ‘design’

Aspen Design Summit 2009

Aspen Design Summit

“We envision a select group of 60 designers, change leaders, NGOs,
foundations and experts coming together to engage actively in
opportunities to demonstrate design thinking in crafting solutions
for large social problems, as well as to use existing networks and
programs to accelerate change.”

The impressive list of attendees of the Aspen Design Summit next week will be collaborating to come up with design solutions and create concrete two-year implementation plans for 5-6 new projects. The themes include poverty, health care and education and collaborating organizations include UNICEF, the Mayo Clinic, and the Center for Disease Control. The Summit will include considerable dialogue and discussion of role of the design industry in leading social change initiatives. The goals of the event are ambitious and promising, and I wish I could be there. Hopefully its outcomes will be visible in the near future.

Learn more about the Aspen Design Summit »

Designing Obama

Designing Obama

Pledge $50 by November 5th in order to preorder the new book “Designing Obama” by Scott Thomas, The Design Director of the Obama campaign. The beautiful design of Obama’s campaign was very unique in the political world, and will surely go down in history. This 360 page hardcover book chronicles the journey of the succesful campaign. Learn more »

Join the Free Design Movement.

Will Work for Free

Go Pro-Bono.

This is an era of meaningful actions, helping others, and contributing to make the world a better place. With organizations popping up such as the Taproot Foundation, volunteer design work is becoming more organized and more common. A strong online presence is an integral component for non-profits with ongoing fundraising campaigns, and many organizations are lacking in this area. There is a high demand for professional high-quality design services at a free or very inexpensive price.

Why Pro-Bono Is Worth It.

You are Making a Difference

You’re contributing to an important cause and acknowledging it’s important. If every creative professional completed one pro-bono project, the non-profit world might receive the recognition and resources they deserve. It is integral for non-profits to employ strategic marketing methods in order to be successful in this highly technological era. They will never have the means to pay a high-end firm to do this, therefore they desperately need you .

It Feels Good

Pro-bono work can be some of the most fulfilling projects of your career. You will likely feel passionate about the work and it always feels good to help something in need. You will feel useful and very appreciated.

You Can Do It From Home

For many people, they don’t have any extra blocks of time to schedule more activities. However, they might be able to fit in an hour here and there. Pro-bono is flexible. Make it happen wherever you can fit it in.

It Feeds Creativity

Many organizations give you complete creative liberties as they feel anything is better than what they currently have. This freedom can allow for inspiring and cutting-edge work. It also can be invigorating if your day job is draining your creativity.

You Make Great Connections

Many people in the non-profit world are passionate and inspiring. Get to know them.

Get Started.

The Taproot Foundation

  • Well-organized pro-bono placement organization.
  • Managed like a typical agency project.
  • Work with a diverse team of professionals.
  • Schedule and time-line management.
  • I’ve had great experiences with Taproot.

Idealist.org

  • Lists hundreds of non-profits around the world.
  • You can search in your community or work virtually.
  • Search for keywords ‘graphic design’ or ‘web design’ to find loads of organizations in need.
  • I‘ve also had good experiences with Idealist.

Designism Connects

  • Listings of non-profits in particular need of design skills and/or projects.
  • There are a ton of projects listed here for a wide variety of skill sets.

Design 21 – Social Design Network

  • Great portal for social design inspiration and networking.
  • Projects for involvement listed under ‘Act’.

Or contact any non-profit of interest. I bet they need you.

Stay tuned for a follow-up article containing Valuable Advice for Pro-Bono Success.

Introducing Design Drift!

The intent of Design Drift is to share a collection of ideas, observation, and inspiration reflecting a global perspective on culture, design, and everyday life. It’s about using one’s creative mind not only for a career, but also as a mechanism of positive influence on an interconnected world. It’s about retaining creative energy, living in balance, reflecting compassion in our actions, and being part of a powerful movement of design thinking for the greater good.

I am fully aware of the loads of design blogs flooding the internet today, and I realize how overwhelming it can be for every blog reader, including myself. As most of us, I enjoy reading blogs for several reasons. They help me stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations, but more importantly they provide a vast amount of inspiration. I’ve now decided to join the blogosphere flood in order to hopefully inspire others and to give another voice to growing movement of like-minded individuals emerging from the design industry.

Interdisciplinary design…
Healthy living…
Cultural paradigms…
Anthropology…
Synthesis of design and culture…
Travel…
Traveling designer…
Globalization…
Technology…
Social media…
Communication…
Discussion…
Creativity…
Understanding…
Ideation…
Collaboration…
Innovation…
Social design…
Smart design…
Solutions…

This is a string of topics that is consistently flowing through my mind. I’m here to discuss these ideas, to connect with others, to share and to learn.