Design like you give a damn is a subject I think more people should become interested in. What got me excited about this subject were two videos we watched in class. In both a designer developed a product that could be made cheaply and solves a specific problem. In the first the designer developed a water bottle/filter that can filter impurities and make even rainwater drinkable. The second the designer developed a cheap way to keep premature babies, with no access to incubators, warm. Giving the babies a fighting chance to survive. Both of these videos show an unselfish way to look at the problems in our world and say how can I help. With natural disasters happening almost daily and people being displaced from their homes, there has never been a greater need for designers to solve some important problems in this world. It's not just with natural disasters though. The processes used in design thinking can be applied to just about everything. From education to simple needs for the poor, designers have an opportunity to show they are not only about making things esthetically pleasing and functional but also about solving real problems. Design like you give a damn is a call to action to stop ignoring the problems in our world and think about ways to fix them.
No Problem Too Small
When the graffiti artist TEMPT was stricken with ALS a once energetic young kid became paralyzed from head to toe. The only function left to him was the ability to blink. The disease ALS, commonly known as "locked in" disease, takes all function from the person leaving them trapped in their body only to sit there and watch as the world goes on without them. Mick Ebeling had an Idea, which started from a problem. The problem was no cheap and accessible means of communication between TEMPT and his family. Ebeling gathered programmers, hackers and designers together and created a device that, not only gave TEMPT the ability to speak but let him draw again.
No Problem Too Big
Many of the problems in our world begin with a lack of education. In third world countries, many children don't have access to education but want to learn. In the United States however, children have access to education but don't want to learn. So what is the problem? Is it our teachers or should we blame the parents? The answer may be neither. Our children are so over stimulated from the moment they open their eyes. Teachers are competing with video games, mp3 players, computers and television for our children's attention. Ali Carr-Chellman discusses the problems of education in regards to boys who are more stimulated with video games than girls. Education in our country is a huge problem and although not tangible, re-thinking broken systems can be another way to show we give a damn.
No Problem Too Far Away
Many problems that could use design solutions begin with disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes have become an all too common reality for many in this world. When disasters take away everything there comes an immediate need for food, water and shelter. In 2004 a tsunami hit south eastern India and in an instance wiped away almost everything for small villagers. An India born, American trained architect saw an opportunity to make a difference. Purnima McCutcheon left her life and career in the United States and moved to India to help villagers rebuild their village. As shown in the PBS series Frontline, McCutcheon not only helped rebuild the village but also helped the village pick up and start again. You can read more about Purnima McCutcheon and her time in India by clicking on either link in the paragraph.
Where It All Began
In 1999 architect Cameron Sinclair had an Idea to develop cheap housing for returning refugees in Kosavo. He and Kate Stohr started Architecture for Humanity and put out a call for innovative designs for the housing. To their surprise they received hundreds of designs. Since then Architecture for Humanity has worked in thirty six countries on projects including housing for victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 they published a book titled Design Like You Give a Damn Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crisis. The book highlights projects from all over the world that use innovative solutions to improve living conditions. Their website: Architecture for Humanity is a great resource for learning about these innovative projects.
Where It Is Going
The opening paragraph in the "about" section of the Curry Stone Design Prize website sums up perfectly the subject of design like you give a damn. It says, "The Curry Stone Design Prize was created in the belief that designers can be an instrumental force for improving people’s lives and the state of the world." The Curry Stone Design Prize was developed to recognize the talents of designers that use their skills to better the lives of people. Their website shows videos of current and past recipients of the award and their projects. http://currystonedesignprize.com/
There are many problems in the world that need attention. We shouldn't ignore these problems because they don't happen in our backyard. Someday we may be in need of help. Design Like You Give a Damn is a great motto it cuts right to the point. We need to design like we care.
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