Design for Social Change

Design for Social Change

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about doing work that matters. I love doing design for small businesses and artists! Love, love, love it! But it would be nice to also be able to incorporate some socially responsible design projects that makes a positive impact on people’s lives; design that raises awareness, that makes individuals THINK. Especially now, when design is so embedded in our culture and everyday lives, designers have a responsibility to be ethical and mindful in what they design, who they design for, the message(s) they are portraying. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to incorporate all of this AND pay the bills? I started researching a bit, joined a few groups online, and came across Impact! Design for Social Change intensive workshop at SVA. Wow! This seems like such a great program, and so important. I have no idea who is accepted into the program, and at this time it doesn’t even seem feasible but I’m so happy to see that this program exists! It’s on my radar and I plan to follow the progress of the program and the designers who are involved. I’ll keep you posted!

Side note: The day after I told my husband about this program he found out that one of the instructors is going to be organizing a workshop in his department (he’s an art professor at East Stroudsburg University)! I’m definitely hoping I can get in on it!

The ideas and practice of ethical and responsible design were sparked while I was listening to a Design Matters (with Debbie Millman) interview with Alissa Walker, an inspirational design writer and blogger. She does a lot of work for GOOD Magazine (if you live under a rock and don’t know what GOOD is, please go immerse yourself in it out NOW!) as well as many other interesting and creative endeavors. During the interview, one of the things that she focuses on is how designers can make a difference and how much of an impact they can have on society and the way we all view the world around us. I really recommend listening to the interview! I also came across a page on the AIGA site which is fabulous and I can’t wait to really explore the links they offer. It’s a page called Design for Good: Ways to Get Involved – check it out! There are tons of design resources for non-profits and the like. I’m off to go dig in right now!

Book club

Book club

A few books to add to my “to-read” list. The list is ever growing, but these are some good ones.

Design for the Other 90% by Cynthia Smith

Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change, by Victor Papanek

Periodic Table of Typefaces

Periodic Table of Typefaces

This is one of my favorite desktop wallpapers. And, yes, I do think I need one of these posters hanging above my desk.  Or maybe the vinyl version. Oh wait, my “work table” is my desk. But usually I just end up working at the kitchen table, so I’ll need to find the perfect spot for it.

The Periodic Table of Typefaces was designed by Camdon Wilde and you can purchase it at Scribble on Everything.

 

Inspiration Friday: Anna Hepler

Inspiration Friday: Anna Hepler

inspirationfriday

I’m not sure how I arrived there but I came across these images on flickr and wanted to share. I love them! They look so sparse and otherworldly and somehow friendly in an odd almost messy-robotic way.  I looked her up and she has some cool installation art too…

plexigravure001plexigravure001
plexigravure006plexigravure006
plexigravure002plexigravure002

Definitely digging this installation..but is it even really an installation?
Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 10.00.15 PM

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 10.03.04 PM

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 10.06.58 PM

Images above from Intricate Universe – 2009

All images copyright Anna Hepler
Check out her website and flickr.

 

Inspiration Friday: Hollie Chastain & collages that will make you smile

Inspiration Friday: Hollie Chastain & collages that will make you smile

inspirationfriday

Hollie Chastain:
Excellent collage and paper artist out of Chattanooga, TN

I  just stumbled upon her artwork. Unfortunately,  I don’t even remember how, but I am so happy that I did! Her drawings and collages make me smile. I love the colors, the texture, the fun! Makes me want to take out my journal and start collaging and drawing again. It’s been way too long. The journal is coming out. I know exactly where it is. Thanks for the inspiration!

Screen shot 2010-12-13 at 3.09.43 PMConjure

 

 

Screen shot 2010-12-13 at 3.13.46 PMhome life in faraway lands

 

 

Screen shot 2010-12-13 at 3.15.08 PM
I came to get down

 

 

Screen shot 2010-12-13 at 3.17.00 PMafterthought

 

All above images copyright Hollie Chastain. Check out her site!