The Living Principles is a community site where designers of all levels and all backgrounds (professionals, students, graphic designers, architects, industrial designers, and other creatives) can come together to talk about issues of sustainability and social responsibility. The site enables any designer who would like to share content it in this context, to easily post it through a simple blogging platform. It’s also a great place to share videos, images, descriptions of favorite books and films, and to tell people about recent projects that involved green and SR practices.
The Living Principles also features articles generously shared by partner organizations such as Core77 and Design Observer, making the site a treasure trove of perspectives gathered from leading online sources. “We encourage designers who want to further the conversation,” says spokesperson Caitlin Dover, “about sustainable, socially responsible design to come to the site and let everyone know what’s on their minds.”
While you are having your mind dump, check out the website for Sappi/Ideas That Matter 2010. A decade ago, Sappi launched the industry’s only grant program aimed at helping designers contribute their talents to the charitable activities. This year’s applications are due on July 16. For any designer working with non-profits for the public good, this is the place to get (and show) your support. Over this long weekend, look here for recipients’ proposals and see how it is done.
If you haven’t had enough of social good, also check out Design Ignites Change to learn how students use design thinking to address social concerns here.
It’s the final few days to vote to help DesigNYC get into the top ten final contenders list for the nau Grant for Change. Voting is open til 8PM EST on July 6. If you would like to help sustain DesigNYC go here and select vote/share.
About Steven Heller
Steven Heller is the co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer /Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, writes frequently for Wired and Design Observer. He is also the author of over 170 books on design and visual culture. He received the 1999 AIGA Medal and is the 2011 recipient of the Smithsonian National Design Award.View all posts by Steven Heller →