Indy Design Week’s Post

T H I N K I N G A L O U D: An Obligation to Engage? In the early 1980’s AIGA / Chicago produced a panel discussion at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Accomplished design professionals and educators discuss whether or not designers have an obligation to act as a public conscience. Panelists were: Rick Valicenti, Dietmar Winkler, Katherine McCoy, Bob Vogele and moderated by Joseph Michael Essex. The discussion was quite wide-ranging. The panel addressed, educational, sociological, cultural, environmental and political issues, both local and Presidential. Several members of the panel were quite adamant and articulate when suggesting designers possess, by discipline, a particular set of skills capable of presenting complex concepts clearly, making those concepts understandable to almost everyone. Others on the panel (and in the audience of 250+) had other thoughts. This video tape is only one of many such items. Next Spring the Chicago Design Archives will host a fundraising event where hundreds of donated posters and publications as well as art and artifacts will be auctioned; raising funds to support an expansion of CDA. Other activities are anticipated; community building and educational. These initiatives are designed to help strengthen and sustain the Archives for the next generation. Information about donating items, participating and volunteering for the auction will be available after the first of the next year. Say Something, Do Something.

The ERA donated 3 desktop computers, 2 monitors, and a projector to the Pembina Hills Arts Council in Morden, MB! This tech helps expand programs and build an open arts space for the community. ♻️✨ Read more: https://lnkd.in/g_ibpFF5 #ElectronicRecycling #TechDonations #ReduceEwaste

The ERA donated 3 desktop computers, 2 monitors, and a projector to the Pembina Hills Arts Council in Morden, MB! This tech helps expand programs and build an open arts space for the community. ♻️✨ Read more: https://lnkd.in/g_ibpFF5 #ElectronicRecycling #TechDonations #ReduceEwaste

Going down a treat with the 'Big Charity' Pop Up Car Wash What an unbelievable reception we received by local businesses at Archways in Manchester last Thursday... The feedback we received was excellent and we've been asked by many, to do it all again. We are truly grateful for all the support from everyone who came along to experience what we are doing. Thank you to Jonathan Bowers for kindly providing us with the use of the facilities and for believing in our mission. We had the opportunity to ask Jonathan why he wanted to support us and this is what he had to say: "It was great having you and the team here today. Part of the reason to support you is the energy that you bring and what you're doing for young people. You can listen to the full interview in the video below. Next stop BizSpace Ltd Preston Save the Date This coming Thursday 25th April 2024 🕰️ From 10.00 am to 3.00 pm Location: Technology Centre, Marsh Lane, Preston, PR1 8UQ Pledge your support! As well as getting our young people involved in the community activity, we understand that the skills being developed are wholeheartedly transferable. In view of this, we believe that the earlier the intervention the better chance we have of operating at the prevention level rather than at cure. With this in mind, we are actively looking for organisations that aligned with our mission and who are receptive to a conversation around the kind of support that has the potential to literally change people's lives. Genuine Futures, are driving positive change by giving back to the community in a truly unique way. **To find out how to support Genuine Futures CIC, please visit: * Website: www.genuinefutures.co.uk * Contact: hello@genuinefutures.co.uk #webelieve #youngpeople #workethic #unlockingpotential #youcandoit #youngpeoplematter #alternativeprovision #lifeskills

What do you see? You might see a gorgeous display of LEGO® architecture buildings--very desirable indeed. Perhaps you see "hard work", as in someone had to work hard to build these sets. Maybe you see $$$; yes, someone invested in these innovative tools. I see possibility. I see potential creativity for kids who might not have had access to LEGO® before. I see joy in beautiful things transformed through generosity, and wow, do I feel like the world could use more of that right now. We had a generous donation to our Jolyean Creative Pass the Bricks campaign for Rose Brooks Center Inc. from a friend this weekend that will instrumental in helping us create 80 sets for their kids! These complex architecture sets will now be transformed into age-appropriate, fun, imagination-inspiring sets for them 💛 People often ask if they can donate “put together” sets and the answer is: YES. We spent the weekend taking apart these beautiful sets, will be cleaning/sanitizing them this week and then will be hosting a Sorting Party to get the new sets ready to package! We are so excited at the possibilities that reused @lego bricks give to all. And, we'd love to have you join us! For more info about donating/volunteering, check out: https://lnkd.in/gNMttgr6 #passthebricks #lego #joy #aestheticengagement #playmatters #creativity

Most arts organizations have ambitions, ambitions to involve the community through arts projects. They also want to open their doors to up and coming talents in the community so they can show their work. Only problem is most non-profit organizations don’t have the capital to do any of these amazing projects. A big factor to that is how low ticket prices are sold. More times than not ticket prices are low because organizations believe if they keep their ticket price low, then they will keep their patrons happy. This only hurts YOU as an organization in the long run. Test your prices. You will never know the right price if you don’t test it. Food for thought 💭

How do you know what images to include in your campaigns? Join me and Meredith Niles, Cherian Koshy, Ian MacQuillin MCIOF(Dip) and Jess Crombie at our upcoming FREE webinar, jointly hosted by Rogare - The Fundraising Think Tank and SOFII - The Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration on Thursday, 23 May 2024, to explore why fundraisers choose particular images, examine which ones work, and uncover the controversies they’ve caused too. Using examples from our collective fundraising history, we will look at the use of images in the past and explain the neuroscience and behavioural science behind choosing an image that is effective for fundraising & talk about: - Should we use images of real people in need? - How do we give beneficiaries dignity? - How susceptible are we to images? - Should we use images that are proven to raise more money or use images that better reflect the experience of those we seek to help? - What are the possibilities around using AI (artificial intelligence) images in fundraising? Thank you for Chartered Institute of Fundraising for hosting. Click here to book your place now https://lnkd.in/ewttpsa3

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 In Change by Design by Tim Brown, I found an example of storytelling that helped the American Red Cross increase blood donations from 3% to 4%. The American Red Cross set up temporary clinics at schools and workplaces, aiming to boost the donor base. The IDEO and Red Cross team used design thinking to enhance the experience, making clinics more comfortable. Through on-site observations, the design team discovered that most donors had personal motivations for giving blood whether in memory of a loved one or in gratitude for a life saved. They realized these stories were stronger drivers than any added comfort. So, they introduced a simple but impactful change, inviting donors to share their reasons for donating on a card, which they could place in the waiting area. This act of storytelling created a sense of connection and purpose. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. #EmpathyInDesign #Storytelling #HumanCenteredDesign

A Historic Event That Fundraising Made Possible It was one of the greatest events in American history. Some 250,000 crowded into the National Mall, many of them quite poor. There, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his singular, soaring, timeless "I Have A Dream" speech. That speech and that event proved influential in the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. But how was the March on Washington made possible? How did so many people of such modest means make it to Washington and make such an impression on the world? How did they demonstrate the power of numbers and the potential of democracy? It was through a series of remarkable fundraising events illuminated in this article. Fundraising events, like fundraising itself, can rise to the level of great and historic when put in service to a great cause. The smaller the cause, the more narrow the goal and the shorter the horizon, the smaller that fundraising, fundraising events and organizational ambitions seem. Some say a lack of resources keeps us from dreaming big; I say it's the lack of big dreams that keeps us from securing more significant resources. Do you have an epic dream or budgetary need?

Empowering Designers 🚀 Last week Sam Gale and I had the incredible opportunity to attend an event designed specifically for out-of-work designers. Organised by Ty-John Roberts it allowed designers who were out of work to come together and offer their skills on a charity basis helping out a company who needed it. This gathering was more than just a networking opportunity for them, which is what most events tend to be. Instead it allowed designers a space where creativity, collaboration, and community is at the heat of it. 🎨 What made this event special? - Collaboration: Talented designers, sharing ideas and working together to create impactful design solutions. - Community: It provided a much-needed break from isolation, allowing them to connect, share experiences, and support one another. - Giving Back: Through their collective efforts, they were able to contribute to charitable causes, making a real difference with their skills. It was great to see everyone come together with a shared purpose and as a recruiter its very rare we actually get to see design work being done it front of us so was super insightful for us as well. Its an amazing way to help out of work designers at the moment and defintiely think more events/collaboration like this should be done in the futrure ✌️! #DesignCommunity #Collaboration #Charity #Networking #Creativity #DesignForGood