We become what we behold. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.——-Marshall McLuhan

A Grand Idea – a designwala initiative

We have raised close to $913 dollars for the Inhabit section but still need to raise money for LEARN, ORGANIZE, HEAL and SUSTAIN. Make them happen. Donate!

What is ‘A Grand Idea’ Initiative ?
A Grand Idea’ initiative is a competition series that is geared towards creating design solutions for social change that cost upto a grand or a thousand dollars. The competition is a five part series that involves designing for the following topics – INHABIT, LEARN, ORGANIZE, HEAL & SUSTAIN. The first series for this call for ideas is INHABIT that involves designing a product, program or service to create friendly, safe and community oriented urban spaces. See competition details here. See the trailer here.

What kind of design solutions are you talking about ? Can you give examples ?
The design solutions could be a product, a service, a campaign, a kiosk, or anything that helps solve any of the problems that address the above stated categories. Here are some good examples for the kind of ideas we are looking for -

1. LEARN – Learning Landscapes – Playground system for elementary math education
2. HEAL – Antivirus – A cap to protect against infectious needles
3. INHABIT – Phone Booth turned into world’s smallest lending library
4. ORGANIZE – The Pink Chaddi Campaign
5. SUSTAIN – Street Swags – Bed and a bag designed to provide more comfort, warmth and protection from weather for people living on the street.

How do we support this campaign ?
Designwala.org needs your help raising $5000 to make this competition happen. Please click the donate button to donate an amount. You do not need a paypal account, a credit card will suffice. Also, pass this along to anyone you think would be interested in the cause and would want to support us. For more information write to us at info@designwala.org

Are the donations tax deductible?
Designwala is not a registered 501c3 organization but is being supported by SEVA which is a registered non profit so the donations are tax deductible. I want to take this opportunity to thank Sharon and Gurpal, the devoted community organizers who run SEVA, which is a immigrant advocacy project.

How will the donations be put to use?
The winner for each category will be given a grand or a thousand dollars to create a prototype of their design to kickstart the process of design for social good. These prototypes would be sent to organizations working in related sectors in India to initiate collaboration and further development of the idea.


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