HOW Design Conference

Wednesday, May 14

10:15 am – 11:15 am

Design for Non-Profits and Grass Roots Projects

Room 304-306   Level 3

Design can be a powerful tool for positive social change, but too often, impactful and high quality design is out of reach for deserving organizations and initiatives. In this session, Ken Tanabe will present tips and tricks to keep your designs affordable enough for the projects you’re passionate about, tough enough to survive real-world use by non-designers, and yet beautiful enough to make an impact (and keep you feeling good). You will also learn how to productively relay your expertise, so your designs can be implemented as effectively as possible.

If you want to be part of a movement of creatives that create social change, you’ve got to understand the design needs of grass-roots movements and non-profits. These include: brand identity, websites, print, merchandise, video and social media. Learn how to deliver on these needs using sustainable, yet cost-efficient frameworks (an asset to commercial clients as well). Become familiar with effective free and open source software resources that facilitate the management of online presence and maximize social engagement with minimal resources. Learn how to ensure that your interactive designs stay beautiful after they are handed off for real-world use.

You’ll also discover how working for social change can help you to develop new and better skills in the design realm and beyond. Gain insights into new design disciplines (web design, HTML/CSS, motion graphics, etc.), presenting your ideas, and teaching/managing others. Turn your designs into income for social projects using one (or multiple) online stores, and identify which solution is best for your project at various stages of its development. Hone an understanding of common organizational structures and funding models for social change projects, as well as their creative/financial implications for designers.

3 Main Take-Aways:

  1. Understand the design needs of grass-roots movements and non-profits
  2. Become familiar with effective free and open source software resources
  3. Learn how working for social change can help you to develop new/better skills (both related and unrelated to design)
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