I
believe design is definitely one of the tools we have in our
save-the-world arsenal and the good news is I’m not the only one. I’ve
just discovered Design 21, a “Social Design Network.” The site is a partnership between UNESCO and the merchandise company Felissimo.
Design 21’s mission is to “inspire social activism” through design and
the site has some great features to support this mission. Members can
post design-oriented profiles, blog, show work samples and reveal
organizational affiliations that surface who they are and what they’re
into. In addition to the design-focused profile feature, there are
articles on a variety of topics, like an interview with economist
Jeffrey Sachs on how designers can contribute to the global goal of
ending extreme poverty. The site also brings together designers and
non-profits through the hosting of design competitions, and an “Act” area in which socially conscious organizations can list project descriptions and request pro bono support. The design by Area 17
is clean and inviting, and the site in general is just a pleasure to
engage with.
Design 21 is a fantastic illustration of the promise of Web 2.0 empowering communities to create change. My only concern now is finding the time to dig into all the exciting content and join the conversation.
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