I was wondering if people had examples of companies, organizations, individuals doing for or non-profit design-related work that benefits people or society? These might relate to 3rd world development, the environment, bottom of the pyramid, disabilities… anything. Personally, I’m more focused on product and service type concepts, but communication work is interesting too.
I’ll throw out some to start with… I’m hoping that people can supply more.
Design for Democracy
Designers without Borders
Design Corps
KickStart
Archeworks
I don’t know if you’ve seen this…
http://beta.news.com.com/The+100+laptop+moves+closer+to+reality/2100-1044_3-5884683.html
It is a very humanitarian project to put modern, but very inexpensive, laptops in the hands of children in the 3rd world. Batteries charge with a winder is one example of some of their innovation already. Hopefully this will narrow the divide between rich and poor countries when these children grow up… no more outsourcing too
more pics.
http://beta.news.com.com/2300-1044_3-5884639-1.html
I don’t know why they didn’t mention the company that did the design work.
Also, there’s the LifeStraw water filter.
And go to ideo.com. There is a study case of a water pump for the 3rd world.
the company who did the design work on the laptop was Design Continuum.
it’s listed on the main MIT website —> http://laptop.media.mit.edu/
http://www2.artcenter.edu/designmatters/
design matters is an eductaional initiative. check out some of the projects on thier site… bobby