Core 77’s Allan Chochinov showcases some really interesting socially driven graphic design work here from his SVA grads at a lecture at IDxA conference Interaction 10 in Savannah, GA…

MIT Student Designs All-Terrain Wheelchair for the Poor

Matt McCambridge, a designer for Whirlwind Wheelchair International, designed the all-terrain wheelchair you see above to address the needs stated below by the MIT News Office:

by Morgan Bettex, MIT News Office

“The U.N. Development Programme estimates that less than 1 percent of the need for wheelchairs in developing countries is met by local production, partly because small workshops can’t exploit economies of scale to be profitable. Moreover, the wheelchairs that are available aren’t designed for people who must push themselves over rough roads and muddy walking paths often encountered in the Third World. As a result, millions of people must rely on others to carry them or be stranded inside their homes.”

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/amos-wheelchair-0218.html

In attempting to find the best way to document the progress of my thesis research, I decided that what may be more appropriate (and useful) is a forum that is open for all to discuss this shift in design thinking.

This could be a place to discuss new methodologies, better ways to collaborate, more effective research practices, current societal problems that need to be addressed, new projects, innovative materials…maybe we could talk about who this is all for, where this could go, and what this could all mean.

IDENTITAT by: Jonas Loh and Steffen Fiedler

I have so many questions I’d like to discuss…

Is this shift in design and design thinking just about the challenge?

Are we designers looking for ways to make our fields more dignified, more meaningful?

Are we trying to dig out a secure place in today’s economy?

Has the word spread that caring is the new black?

Since we oftentimes abusively work ourselves into oblivion, are we looking for a greater purpose to devote our endurance?

What is it that has caused us to start to notice our fellow neighbor in this way?

As a discipline, why are we just now starting to see the possibilities?

Why this push now?

If we saw the possibilities before, why didn’t we act?

Are we really starting to see how Design can positively impact society?

What will it take to move ideas forward?

As those newest to the field, what is our expected role?

Can there be a balance of commercial work and social work?

Are we more open to come together in the name of solution?

How can we best continue and contribute to this progress?

I am passionate about Design, and I wholeheartedly believe in Designers as problem solvers. I believe that Design can positively impact society, but what is the next step?