design to solve

As any good designer will tell you, "good" design is not purely defined by something looking nice, it must be a good solution to the problem or task it addresses.  A well-known quote by Charles Eames reiterates this definition:

Design is the appropriate combination of materials in order to solve a problem

Some of us look at the immediate design problems while others go further.  How can design solve larger problems such as global social and environmental problems?  Here is a small and growing list of groups, projects and networks *(and books) that use the creativity of design to empower change for the greater good.  Feel free to add any others you may know of in the comments section or via the contact form, I would love to keep this list growing.

Seeing design as a solution to large scale issues is inspiring to me.  It fuels a life-long goal/mission of mine, as a designer, to work in and bring awareness to the importance of socially and environmentally conscious design. Wanna help?  Check out links to what I have so far. (pages link to sites)

1. architecture for humanity:

2. open architecture network [by architecture for humanity]

3. Design 21

4. design incubator [pratt institute for sustainable innovation]

5. rural studio [auburn univerisity]

 6. design ignites change

7. social designer: goods for the greater good

 8. project h design

9. book: do good design by david b. berman

10. book: a design revolution:100 products that empower people by emily pilloton [via GOOD]

Comments

[Sarah | @MadysonDesigns]

I love this idea, Chris! It's always fantastic when organizations can make beautiful things while contributing in a positive way to society and the environment.

[chris]

Thanks Sarah!
I know, its interesting that the creative solution is often the necessary solution in situations of greater need where our typical methods fail.

These groups/people definitely inspire me to enrich the purpose of the things I design. I love it too :)

[jeff]

::.

http://www.sheeplessco.com/

http://www.anothercupdevelopment.org/

http://blog.dcenterbaltimore.com/about/

http://www.digma.us/whatwedo/policy/index.html

http://www.ceosforcities.org//membership