Do Good Design

Capturing elements of design for social good.

[dogood-design-blog]

Drink Good, Do Good. 

Idea: Naked Juice knows that not having access to healthy fruit and vegetables can lead to serious health problems. This is why teamed up with Wholesome Wave - a non-profit dedicated to improving access and affordability of fresh local produce to underserved urban and rural communities and Facebook’s social game Farmville 2 to design a special version of the game to raise awareness of food deserts and enroll a community of virtual farmers to help.

The idea is Farmville for Social Good where players are asked to plant and grow 150,000 pounds of virtual fruits and vegetables to be donated in-game to individuals who don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Insight: I think the reason this idea was so successful was because this became a virtual food drive, which has never been done before. When users launched the game during the 6 week campaign, they were greeted with a full screen overlay that educated them on the negative effects of food deserts, and why it was important to donate. From there, users were asked to grow 150k pounds of virtual Naked Juice branded pineapples – a new crop in the game – that would all go towards helping end this epidemic.

Making it fun and easy to do good in a game setting was so different that it worked. The game designers made this a special version of FarmVille which helped generate buzz on Facebook.

Implications: The Farmville community responded with great enthusiasm with nearly 264,000,000 crops grown and virtually donated to food deserts, more than doubling the challenge goal of 150,000 lbs. Farmville gamers were able to actively make a difference in the lives of those living in food deserts, raising a total of $57,350 to be donated to Wholesome Wave through sales of the limited edition spinach crop.

This also delivered on awareness, with users exposed to the Naked Juice/Farmville 2 campaign 179% more aware of the partnership than those that were not.

I think that when you add design, interaction and community within a gaming atmosphere, with the social good element, it can make a great impact and change. 

[dogood-design-blog]

Much more than a normal soccer ball, the SOCCKET is a portable generator that provides fun and power to those who play with it.

Idea: The idea is from Jessica Matthews, the co-founder and CEO of Uncharted Play, a social good product design firm. Jessica was an undergraduate at Harvard when she and other students came up with a way to make soccer, a popular pastime in many developing (and developed) nations, a useful activity. This is when Soccket was born, which is an energy-harnessing soccer ball that harnesses and stores energy from play for later use as a portable power source in resource-poor areas. The Soccket has a pendulum-like mechanism inside the ball that captures the kinetic energy generated during normal play and stores it in the ball for later use as an off-grid power source. Just 30 minute sof play can power a simple LED lamp for 3 hours. Designed and assembled in the USA, the SOCCKET is currently being piloted in select resource-poor areas of North America and South America.

Insight: This is a powerful and impactful idea because it allows people to earn their energy through playing. They can enjoy having fun, getting exercise, and as a result earning energy for their villages. This is a step in the right direction and shows that when you think outside of the box, wonderful things can happen and creative ideas can change the world, one step at a time.

Implications: This campaign received an overwhelming amount of support and Uncharted Play wants to work with teachers to use Soccket to teach students about energy, poerty and entrepreneurship. Altering an item all of us probably have in our garage or backyard somewhere can help families living without light. We take for granted some of the resources we have and what I like about Uncharted Play is that they are using their energy, both electrically and man-power, to help the greater good. Since they are still a newer technology but have gained a lot of interest, I'm looking forward to see what they come up with next.

[dogood-design-blog]

"As children we may not realize these images in the media affect us, but they definitely do," said Artist Loryn Brantz "Media outlets with the opportunity to change the way women are viewed and view themselves should start taking responsibility. It only took a couple nudges of a line to make those princesses' waists less extreme, and they still looked beautiful and magical."

Idea: The idea is redefining how people see Disney princesses and the unrealistic expectations they bring to their fans and how it impacts their self-esteem. This campaign asks the question “what if Disney princesses had realistic waistlines?” Buzzfeed’s Loryn Brantz decided to digitally sit six famous Disney ladies— Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Aurora, and Elsa to show what they would look like if they had more realistic physical proportions. Since these characters were created for children, they should portray what real people look like. 

“As a woman who loves Disney and has dealt with body image issues, it has been something I’ve always wanted to comment on, particularly after seeing Frozen,” said Brantz. “While I loved the film, I was horrified that the main female character designs haven’t changed since the ‘60s. The animation industry is historically male dominated, and I think that contributes to how these designs became so extreme in their proportions—their necks are almost always bigger than their waists!” 

Insight:  This idea is powerful and impactful and reminds me of another campaign “anatomically correct Barbie” where others have also highlighted the impractical proportions of young girls’ role models.  Last year an artists created a tutorial on how to draw a Disney-friendly version of a princess and she noted that they have long slender necks, small shoulders, B or C cup breasts and “soft but very defined” waists. The don’t look for hips because Disney princesses tend not to have them, said the artist in the tutorial.A real woman should have a thicker neck, wider shoulders, and a less defined waist with actual hips. 

Implications: This campaign is an effort to show a side by side comparison of the unrealistic expectations the media, including animators are having on our society. Young girls grow up thinking that beauty is defined as the Disney princesses or Barbie dolls and they have a distorted perception which leads to poor self esteem and body image issues. This is where people are taking a stand and using design to show that this is not true and if people start taking responsibility to make princesses look more realistic. 

[dogood-design-blog]

Even the Embrace, a sleeping-bag like device to keep premature babies warm, can be considered a wearable. http://www.fastcoexist.com/3037239/how-wearables-are-being-used-for-social-good#1

Idea: The idea is redefining what a wearable is and design it to solve a problem for the social good. The popular wearables on the market are about self awareness and tracking personal health, such as how many miles you ran in a day or how many hours you slept. "In the Bay Area, we're pretty myopic about what wearables mean right now," said Denise Gershbein, executive creative director at Frog Design. "A lot of folks are just chasing the idea of creating the next Fuelband and selling something big and then getting out." Frog Design is doing something different and stepping outside the box of typical wearables. They are working with organizations such as UNICEF on finding ways to implement wearables into society for the common good.

Some ideas that are lower in tech include a simple armband to measure child nutrition in the developing world. If the paper measuring tape reaches in the correct color zone, a health worker knows the child is getting enough to eat. Another idea includes a tiny sleeping bag-like device for premature infants in hospitals that cannot afford incubators or do not have the electricity to have one so this wearable keeps babies alive using a simple design. 

Insight:  The ideas are good but they still rely on technology so this is where redefining what a “wearable” is will come in handy. We generally think about wearables being super technology based and worn on the wrist but as wearables evolve, designers will be able to look at analog and digital versions of wearables for a social impact. There is of course a need for both but there will be a different need depending on location, situation, and affordability. There are wearables such as Google Glass that has helped social good and devices that keep people safe. Every time we turn on the news or talk to our friends, it seems like there is something new on the market. 

Implications: Although wearable tech has created a vast improvement in our society, it is only the beginning. There is a lot of room for improvement and evolution. Currently many of the wearable tech is created in Silicon Valley in the bay area but designers of wearable tech needs to step outside of their typical scene.  Designers, researchers, anthropologists and activists all can work together to share experiences and create and improve wearable tech for social good. They are making a quick and strong impact on our society and I know a year or maybe even a few months from now, there will be even more changes. 

[dogood-design-blog]

“It’s a sustainable cycle of helping people" --  Architect Tina Hovsepian 

Idea: The idea is called Cardborigami and it is a temporary house for homeless people made from cardboard. Origami has inspired The difference between this and other similar structures is that after the initial construction, which is just folding and taping it together, there’s no further assembly required. People can just pull it open to have a floor, roof and door they can use, and when they need to move, they can fold it up and it becomes a backpack for them. Additionally, the ridges inside help keep it insulated and make it sturdier than a tent and it’s lightweight and recyclable. It can be used and then taken down instantly. 

Insight:  Homelessness is a big problem and like other cities, Los Angeles struggles with it in a significant amount. There are roughly around 58,000 people who are homeless in L.A. County but the shelters around LA have less than 2,000 beds. . Homelessness affects us all. We see it on the streets we walk by everyday. This is why the architect behind Cardborigami, Tina Hovsepian came up with this idea and wants to help address the issue at the root of the cause. This design is supposed to be the first step on a better path to more permanent housing. 

Implications: I think that although the idea is a simple one, it will have a large impact. It is much more than just the Cardborigami itself. It is part of a four-step path for people to get out of homelessness and back on their feet. People think that providing the shelter is not going to help alone but it is a step in the right direction. One of four steps.  The shelter is the first step and people who want to use the shelter can be involved in creating it hands-on because it is so easy to do the initial construction. This will give them the sense of doing something for themselves and is a psychological boost. Tina also plans to partner with organizations that provide services for homeless people and the shelters aren’t meant to be used on the streets so she hopes to find a space where people can use the shelters or store them. She is working with Volunteers of America and the national 100,000 Homes initiative. After the first set of Cardborigami succeeds, she plans to start employing the homeless people who have gone through the program and can help construct the shelters for others. 

www.cardborigami.org

http://www.fastcompany.com/person/tina-hovsepian

[dogood-design-blog]

"It makes it easier to eat healthily as the plate nudges you to put the right proportion of food groups on your plate." -- designer Annet Bruil 

Idea: The ideas is that this simple plate design will give dieters a reality check every time they eat. It makes counting calories a thing of the past.  This low-tech graphic in plate-form shows everyone how to eat a balanced meal. The plate is divided into sections that show the recommended portion size for vegetables, protein, and starches like rice or pasta. And since most meals combine different food groups the plate also has a mixed section that overlaps. 

"I saw a need for people to eat healthier, and through design research found that one of the main problems people struggle with is portion control," says creator and designer of the plate Annet Bruil.  "People find it difficult to estimate how many vegetables they should eat. And even if they know it should be 200 grams a day, what does that look like on a plate?

Insight:  Obesity is a big problem in the United States and the portion size here can sometimes be ridiculous. With all the “super-size me” options, it’s hard to keep up with what we are putting in our bodies. Those who diet then have to count calories which takes a lot of time and effort, which may also put off many people from not overeating. This design makes things easier (or at least will make you feel guilty for literally crossing the line on your plate). 

This plate design won’t fix obesity but it does provide a better option to take a step in the right direction with portion control. Simple design helping fix simple problems. 

The plate also has a section that's designed to stay empty, so it's easier to move food around on the plate. For the designer, she said it’s also a small reminder of the fact that, as much as someone may be struggling to eat less, there are millions of others who don't have enough. While this is an added message, it was a bit contradictory to me because on the one hand I get that it’s supposed to have a significant meaning and impact that there are millions of others who don’t have enough to eat. While on the other hand, the point of this plate is portion control. It should have one focus. If I were the one eating on this plate, I might be like “well there are millions of people who don’t have enough to eat so I should in fact eat more and consider myself lucky to have this food rather than minimize the amount I eat.” Just some food for thought (yes let that sink in). 

Implications: This idea is a simple one but it is likely to work well. Researchers who studied plates and portion size found that we don't dish up food based on how hungry we are--we fill up our plate. So smaller plates actually gets people to eat less. A right-sized plate, like this one, will presumably get people eating close to the right amount. Looking at the gif above, we can see that it’s a lot less food than we think we need! Forget counting calories. It involves a tedious process of weighing your food, doing conversions, and logging every meal. Excuse me but “ain’t nobody got time for that!” 

Another plus to purchasing these plates is that it is being manufactured by a social enterprise that employes people with physical or mental disabilities. "I want the plate not only to benefit the people who use it, but also the people who make it," Bruil says. This links back to my earlier post of Story. We all love products that are designed well and are beneficial to the social good. 

Source: http://www.fastcoexist.com/3037174/visualized/a-deceptively-simple-plate-designed-to-stop-your-overeating

[dogood-design-blog]

“They belong to a fairytale land where happy ever afters are bound to happen. But what happens after the happy ever after?” — Saint Hoax 

Idea: Saint Hoax is a pseudonymous Middle Eastern artist. He is infatuated by the element of pop culture. He has launched two campaigns that depict some of Disney’s leading characters with battered and bloodied faces to raise awareness about Domestic Violence. Saint Hoax first launched his campaign called “Happily Never After,” which depicted Disney Princesses with battered faces.  “People are emotionally attached to these princesses. Portraying them in a position of weakness stirs a lot of emotions and mixed feelings. Especially because these princesses are part of everyone’s childhood.” Saint Hoax started a similar campaign shortly after called “Prince Charmless” because feedback from the first campaign questioned why the project neglected to depict men as victims as well. 

Insight:  These campaigns are great examples and depictions of how powerful design can be used to raise awareness on an issue that impacts us all whether personally or not. This campaign goes deeper in that it uses characters that we all have grown up with and have loved. These characters were heroes to us and seeing them in this horrible state of being abused can really tug at us emotionally and hopefully gives victims of abuse the strength to stand up for themselves. I thought the “Prince Charmless” series was interesting because  Saint Hoax also didn’t match up the princes and princesses together in the campaign. He even had Hercules who is seen as a god in the cartoon shown as a victim. I thought it was smart of him to depict that men who are victims are not weak and should not be ashamed to ask for help. 

Implications: There are a lot of campaigns going on to raise awareness about domestic violence but I think this one is unique because like we discussed in class last week, we are more receptive to advertising or campaigns when it relates to our childhood. We see these characters as our heroes and we have grown up accepting that they have all lived “happily ever after” but Saint Hoax asks us, “what happens after happily ever after?” and shows that it isn’t always happy like we though it was.

While Saint Hoax is focusing on the importance of empowering men to seek help, it is emphasized that ongoing domestic abuse impacts women at far higher rates than men. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported that 85 percent of all victims of domestic abuse are women, and that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. The organization also found that female perpetrators of lethal violence against male intimate partners are seven to 10 times more likely to act in self-defense than male perpetrators.

The main goal of the campaign is to inform victims that they are not alone and that it is never too late for them to take a stand regardless of gender. No campaign is perfect and there will always be some sort of criticism but I think it has gotten a lot of buzz and attention and has done its job of raising awareness of the issue at hand. 

Sources:

 http://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/these-shocking-disney-princess-posters-urge-survivors-of-dom#1pmhd9q

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/11/disney-prince-domestic-violence_n_5662026.html

http://www.sainthoax.com/princecharmless.html

[dogood-design-blog]

“Our programs use a conversational tone to make it seem like a really good friend is talking to you.”-- Greg Blew, Emmi Solutions' chief creative officer 

 http://www.fastcompany.com/3035922/innovation-agents/these-medical-infographics-are-empowering-patients

Idea: Emmi Solutions is a health data visualization company that uses multidisciplinary art to explain complex concepts to patients of all ages. They have come up with a way to explain complex medical issues in a simple and conversational video. Health care is very personal and many times can be misunderstood. People want to be involved, supported reassured, and guided to make the right decisions for themselves and the key to do that is knowledge. It is hard to educate patients about their health issue in a simple manner so this is why Emmi started making interactive multimedia programs that would educate patients about upcoming surgical procedures to help set their expectations about recovery time and potential risks. All the programs use a conversational tone to make it seem like a really good friend is talking to you, combined with simple visuals that can remove barriers and reduce anxiety which helps patients and their loved ones absorb the information and understand their situation better. The platform also can prescribe, track, and document different kinds of outreach—multimedia, videos, phone calls, text messages, emails, etc—and coordinate it all.

Insight:  This program is a great example of the evolution of tech in healthcare. It shows how programs can interact with patients and can expand outside general health care and the relationship between a doctor and a patient. Anyone who has a chronic medical issue or a family member or friend with one knows how difficult it can be to understand what doctors are talking about. It is a different language and sometimes we just need a translator. The founders were all creatives. The CCO is a trained scientific and medical artist and used to be an animator and art director.  He used product design, user experience, and visuals which made a big difference in the approach of this program. Technology, art, and design can improve the world in small ways.

Implications: Medical infographics empowering patients have been proven. A study from researchers at Dartmouth University found that patients who used Emmi’s web-based education tool before a colonoscopy reported significantly less anxiety about the procedure but also required less sedation and shorter recovery times. Complex medical issues are difficult to understand and even with research online, it can be hard to comprehend what is going on. Once people understand their medical condition fully, they are better prepared to receive care. From the business perspective, the company wants to focus on return engagement and develop longer relationships with patients. I think this program has a lot of potential to really grow and has bridged the gap. Doctors have always wanted their patients to be supported and guided throughout their medical conditions but have not always had the tools or incentives to provide that, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.  

[dogood-design-blog]

The story of the fiber, the blood, sweat and tears, the months of hardship and brutal violence are held within those old uniforms. The uniforms often become inhabitants of closets or boxes in the attic. Reshaping that association of subordination, of warfare and service, into something collective and beautiful is our inspiration. — Drew Cameron,  Co-Director of the Combat Paper Project http://www.combatpaper.org/about.html

Idea: The Combat Paper Project was created by a group of artists, some of whom are veterans themselves, and developed a therapeutic treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other problems that relate to their military service. The project includes a literal deconstruction of their army uniforms in order to communicate with others the impact that warfare had on them. Through paper making workshops, the Combat Paper Project hopes to provide cathartic healing and help veterans express the pain that the military service has left them with. 

Insight:  This project helps bring war veterans, activists and artists together for a greater cause. It was simple and was created by veterans so it has such a personal feel to the story.  Anyone can get involved whether they are an artist, an activist, or just want to support war veterans. There are many charities and foundations that support PTSD and military war veterans but The Combat Paper Project stands out because it’s different. On the website we can see the photo gallery of art created through this project and also the faces behind it. 

Implications: The Combat Paper Project has gotten a lot of positive press from bloggers and news outlets such as Good Magazine. PTSD is a sensitive issue but an issue that needs to be addressed. When we walk outside on the streets, we see many war veterans who are homeless and who are suffering. It is an issue that impacts us all whether directly or indirectly. My grandfather was in the military so military issues hit home for me. I also participated in a case competition about IBM Watson helping military veterans with PTSD. I think the implications of this project can be great and has a lot of potential to grow. As a result, it allows everyone to help out whether it be financially, artistically or just spreading the word and learn more about the military veterans and what they went through. I also love how it shows that design and art can make a difference. 

[dogood-design-blog]

“I have worked with brands such as Toms as a consultant, and now more than ever I feel like I am constantly discovering and meeting new people who are launching social impact brands that are equally impactful and outstanding product,” said Story Founder Rachel Shechtman. “There is nothing I love more than finding new and meaningful things and sharing them so they can be discovered by many.”

http://www.fastcoexist.com/3029408/a-retail-shop-for-social-good-pops-up-in-manhattan

Idea: Story is a retail store in Manhattan and the theme of the store changes every month or two. Story is located in Chelsea and regularly tears down everything in its space and opens up again with a new theme. It is designed to be like a magazine with a different idea that changes monthly. In April 2014, Story made their theme “Good,” which carried different products that were specifically designed for social benefit.

A few notable products: 1) There was a Toms Roasting Company coffee cart, which is a new product from the popular shoe company that is known for their “one for one” movement. Now the company has released coffee but this is not any ordinary cup of coffee. A cup of Toms’ coffee will provide clean drinking water to someone in need. 2) There were handmade bags from a new company called Revisit that helps support the National Park Service. 3) Uncharted Play, the company behind a soccer ball that generates electricity, introduced a new jump rope that also creates electricity. 4) Bombas displayed redesigned athletic socks that would help provide socks to the homeless. 5) And NatureBox, a subscription service for healthy snacks would donate at least a million meals through Feeding America.

Insight:  All of the products in Story this month were designed around giving back. The giving element links well with this store because not only does 2% go to charity but it fits with the core of the store with each product having its own story.  It gives people a way to discover new products and brands that are designed for social good.

Implications: This store was successful because even if people in the store did not purchase anything from the store, it helped them know that these products and companies exist. There is a story told behind every product in the store and the whole point of the store is to generate positivity and to raise awareness about these products and brands. The “good” theme has changed since April and it was short lived. However, it is similar to how a company will have a famous designer design a specific product for a short period of time and the proceeds with go to charity.  I always think it's great to see businesses trying to give back through design. There was a positive reaction to it and it keeps people coming back to the store to see what comes next.