Design for Social Purpose: an Alternative way to Give a Damn
How can an industrial designer make an impact on the poor of the world? We might have some creative skills, we can visually communicate, and we can find unconventional ways of solving problems. And one way is to immerse oneself into a different socio-economic culture, experience the problems to be addressed and work on designing a solution. This is one obvious way, and it can be an incredible experience and make a real difference. However, we can’t all do it, and sometimes flying to Africa and trying to make some helpful gadget has limited long-term sustainable impact.
Perhaps, instead of airfare half-way around the world, that money could go to supporting an orphan’s care? Or building a well for a village, or a family’s medical care, or a child’s education? These are very immediate needs for most of the people of the world. So, how can we make a big impact, using our gifts and skills, but without forking over money to the airlines and spewing even more CO2 into the air?
How much do we charge for our services? $75, $125, $250 per hour? Yet 75% of the world’s population earns less than $1500 per year (yes, that’s per year, not per hour). That means that designers can earn that entire salary in about 15 hours! Now, how much of your salary do you give to the poor? The US national average for charitable contributions is embarrassingly low, something like 2%. What if we used our earning power to support the charities and organizations that are dedicated to helping the poor of the world? What if we were to give 10% of our earnings to them? Or what if a design firm contributed the earnings of one project per year to an organization like World Vision or Childcare Worldwide or Living Water or Doctors Without Borders? (Yes, it’s hard to believe, but the world needs trained medical nurses and doctors more than it needs designers) That is a very real and direct way that every designer can use their talents and earning-power to help the world’s poor. We can design (for wealthy paying clients) and give a damn, by passing along some of that wealth to those who need it more.
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