Design for Social Entrepreneurship

New DeSE Course: Spring 2010!

2010-02-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Please join us on the new blog for the Design for Social Entrepreneurship Spring 2010 studio at the Rhode Island School of Design: http://de-se2010.blogspot.comThe DeSE Course website is still: http://www.de-se.comThanks!Instructor – Sloan Kulper, IDSA, RISD MID `06Curriculum Advisor – Yi Zhang, Wellesley `10

DeSE + OMA Gallery

2009-01-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

As part of RISD's Multicultural Affairs "Human Rights Week," cultural programmers Stephanie Rudig and Ashley Rozier Walker curated a show of DeSE's work. Below are pictures just after they set up.Thanks for the show ladies and great work everyone!

Final Crit and Goodbyes!

2008-12-23T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well, the first ever RISD Design for Social Entrepreneurship advanced studio has officially come to a close. We finished off with great presentations and a party at Krisa's place! During the critique, we got to see the latest developments in everyone's projects with numerous guest critics. You can check out the project on our project page here. After the presentations, we had a great group

December 11th- Final Crit!

2008-12-11T16:31:00.000-08:00

Below is the schedule program for the final crit, including brief summaries of all the projects and some questions, quotes and words to ponder at the end that we used for our discussion at the end. DeSE: Final Crit ProgramView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: final risd)

Human Rights Day

2008-12-10T16:02:00.001-08:00

Just in time for our final crit tomorrow...“Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December.The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights. The commemoration was established in 1950, when the General Assembly

Top 3 Sustainability Trends for 2009

2008-12-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

In the face of a weak dollar, mass layoffs, and the world's corporate giants floundering, what are the corporate sustainability efforts we can realistically expect from businesses in 2009?Read Fast Company's article here.

Designmatters- Human Rights Posters

2008-12-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Check out Designmatters recent project of their human rights poster project in partnership with UNESCO.

Design B-Boys

2008-12-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

Design competitions in the Public's eye: Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament Series 2007 from Cut&Paste on Vimeo.Is there an equivalent for industrial design?

Public/Private Ventures

2008-12-03T21:03:00.001-08:00

Just came across this amazing sounding organization- Public/Private Ventures. Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) is a nonprofit organization that describes itself as "a national leader in creating and strengthening programs that improve lives in low-income communities."One of their initiatives is: The Women's Reentry Initiative which was, "designed to provide women returning from incarceration with

Nonprofit Partnership Reflection

2008-12-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

Due: Tuesday December 9thIn preparation for our group discussion the day of the final, please write about 1 page reflecting on your nonprofit partnership- considering the following:What was it like to partner w/ a nonprofit and work with a community/culture new to you?How did you introduce the idea of doing a design project with them?What were some of the main challenges in thinking about/

Thanksgiving Homework

2008-11-25T08:47:00.000-08:00

1. Update your blog with recent project information.To include your presentations, please post them on slideshare.net, and then you can embed the show into your blog.2. Write a blog article about your Thanksgiving break and dinner.3. Continue developing and furthering your projects. You will present to the class on December 4th with ppt. as preparation for the final. This will be your opportunity

Acumen Fund TED Talk

2008-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

Founder and CEO of the Acumen Fund, Jacqueline Novogratz, gives an inspiring talk about overcoming global poverty.

Mid-Crit Deliverables

2008-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday November 20thMid-Crit10-15 minute Powerpoint PresentationDeliverables: Briefly: (about 3 minutes or less) -What Organization have you been working with? -Summarize their mission-What type of work have you been doing with them?-What are some of the barriers you have identified as opportunities? (if you narrowed in on one , just focus on this one barrier and do not discuss the other points

DeSE on Nextbillion.Net

2008-11-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

An article I recently wrote in reflection of the Better World by Design's social entrepreneurship panel is now posted on nextbillion.net here. DeSE is highlighted, with links to our new website.Be sure to keep those blogs updated! I am going to add links to everyones' blogs under projects so people can follow along.

DeSE has a website!

2008-11-06T21:33:00.001-08:00

DeSE now has a website! www.de-se.comProjects and information are still being uploaded. The header was one that came with the template. If anyone would like to make a DeSE header, please email it my way.Thanks,Sami

Systems Design Example- Tangible Steps for Tomorrow

2008-11-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

IDEO in partnership with the Kellogg Foundation formulated a system to improve elementary education through holistic thinking and designing. Take a look at their illustrations and how IDEO uses story-telling to convey their ideas in a clear and visual way. Tangible steps toward tomorrow - Get more Creative Writing

Email In!

2008-11-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

Email Sami all assignments from the first half of this semester in PDF format including: 9 Page MDG Research PagesTED Talk ResearchProduct PrecedentStoryBoardThemeBoardFinal Exercise 2 page layoutDue this ThursdayIf your file exceeds 10 mb, you can use: www.Yousendit.com

Human Centered Design

2008-11-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

Human Centered DesignView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: design ideo)The HCD Toolkit abridged for DeSE

A Field Guide from IDEO

2008-11-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

We will go over this toolkit Tuesday morning in class.In collaboration with Gates Foundation and IDE, IDEO created and JUST released a Human Centered Design toolkit. This resource was created to help organizations working with smallholder farmers but can definitely be translated to the work we are doing in class!For your upcoming interviews, read the Field Guide here. Some sage advice given

Videos Now Available!

2008-11-01T12:51:00.001-07:00

For those of you who could not attend Thursday's lectures, they are now available on DeSE's YouTube Channel! Below is the first clip of Tanya Fields' profound lecture on the power of community activism for social change and what we as designers can do to make a difference. Stay tuned for more videos to come as we continue to upload from previous lectures!

Our Speakers Today

2008-10-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you to our two wonderful speakers that joined us this afternoon. We had an engaging and inspiring experience. We will be posting the videos of their presentations soon when they are up and ready. For more information on each organization and individual check out: Matt Grigsby- EcolectTanya Fields- Blk GrlSustainable South Bronx. For more information on this amazing organization and how

Design for Local Sustainability- Research

2008-10-29T18:43:00.001-07:00

DUE Tuesday November 4th- (Election Day!)As we continue to lay the foundation for the final project it is important to be very clear and familiar with our partner organizations and research similar projects and approaches. For this weekend's homework, please: IDENTIFY the problem and mission statement of your organization and post it on your blog. RESEARCH 5 other organizations within the US that

Interviews and Mind Maps

2008-10-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

Due THURSDAY November 6thIn addition to becoming familiar with your organization through participation, as a designer it is important to do anthropological research to understand the ins and outs of your target market. For this, you will conduct an interview with someone who works within the organization. (If need be, you will have time in class on Tuesday afternoon to go and do this, so please

In Honor of Tuesday

2008-10-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Is America Ready for a Black President?

2008-10-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

FREE FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Monday November 3rd6:30-8:00pmspace is limited/ rsvp required:dkanston@risd.edu401-277-4957

Homework- Building a Foundation

2008-10-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

Design and the design process is very much about reflection, research, insight, and iteration. It is important to document this process along the way to use as a tool throughout the process. When we are constantly reminded of our foundation, it is easier to move forward and build on it. To start building the foundation for your final project, you are going to REFLECT and RESEARCH. REFLECT- After

Elevator Pitch

2008-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

In Class Activity-MorningAs an entrepreneur, it is important to be able to convey your idea quickly and concisely. Whether at a networking event, making a pitch to potential investors, or running into someone who you admire--you must capture the attention of your audience within the amount of time of an elevator ride, because you never know who you are going to run into and when. An elevator

New School Sustainability: Majors Making a Difference

2008-10-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

A recent article from WorldChanging discussing the shift in univerities' majors to fit the demand to learn about sustainability. Check it out here. ...including the power of design! Once we have our two pagers together, we can add a comment directing them to the projects and share the message about how design can innovate the field of environmental and social sustainability!

Upcoming Competitions

2008-10-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Echoing Green Fellowship-up to $90k- Deadline: Dec 1Global Water Crisis: AIGA + Index: Deadline: DecClinton Global Initiative- University Conference ApplicationDeadline: Dec 12Ideablob -$10k- Deadline: MonthlyMetropolis Magazine NExt Generation Competition -$10k- Deadline: Jan 30Green Halloween Costume Contest- InhabitatOctober 31st

What Makes a Good Powerpoint

2008-10-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Death by PowerPointView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: tips powerpoint)

What Makes a Good Presentation

2008-10-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

A new BoP Social Network

2008-10-22T17:33:00.001-07:00

BoP Source has recently come out with a social network which aims to directly connect consumers at the base of the pyramid with the companies that want to do business with them. Sign up today and join in on the conversation!

Jocelyn Wyatt- Design in the Developing World

2008-10-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

A great recent post from IDEO's Jocelyn Wyatt discusses the approaches to designing for development, including systemic thinking and business approaches. Great to see in what ways our projects here at DeSE are resonating with the greater field!Jocelyn Wyatt leads the Design for Social Impact initiative at IDEO . Prior to IDEO, Jocelyn worked as an Acumen Fund fellow in Kenya and served as Interim

D4D- FINAL Deliverables

2008-10-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, October 21st = final presentation for the Design for Development exercises. Each student will have 20-30 minutes for their critique including a 10-15 minute Power Point presentation and 10-15 minutes of feedback. In your Power Point Presentation, it is suggested you include the following information, not in this particular order: -Brief introduction to your chosen country and region-Who

A Brief History of International Development- Video!

2008-10-12T17:58:00.001-07:00

Videos now available of Claudia Ford's presentation on "A Brief History of International Development." Click here to view all the presentation's videos on the DeSE YouTube Channel!

Design with a Mission

2008-10-09T20:06:00.002-07:00

Due Tuesday October 14th1. Clearly define and write the problem statement of your design project. (2-4 sentences)2. Clearly define and write the mission statement of your design project. (2-4 sentences)3. Research and ask questions! Try to find an equivocal circumstance of your problem statement here in RI and talk to people associated with this issue. For example, if you are doing a medical

D4D-Sketches

2008-10-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

Due Thursday October 9th.After you have chosen your specific design opportunity, bring in sketches of product/service iterations to share with the class on Thursday morning. It's important at this phase to iterate rapidly. You do not yet need refined sketches, but rather a variety of concepts which you will then tailor down. Feel free to make some sketch models as well if this helps you with

Upcoming Events

2008-10-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested in going to any of these, let's try to coordinate!*Oct 23-26thBioneers by the Bay Keynotes: Majora Carter, Van Jones, Simran SethiNew Bedford, MARegistration$225 for 3 days$175- two days$100- one dayOct 28th 6-8:30pmBoston, MAActivating Sustainability: Is Corporate Greening for Real and Can it Stop Global Warming? A Trans-Atlantic DialogueCost: Free to students but RSVP

Watch the Debates!

2008-10-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

Extra credit to anyone that blogs about the Biden v Palin debate tonight!

D4D Deliverables- 1

2008-10-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

Due Tuesday Oct 7: Regional Art Piece InspirationArts and crafts are a window into a culture and community. It is important that your design be as culturally appropriate as possible. Research arts and crafts from your region and choose one piece in particular that will serve as your aesthetic inspiration for your product and/or service to start developing a design language. Post your art object

Design Exercise!

2008-10-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Design for DevelopmentDue Date: October 21Objective:It's time to take all that research we've been doing and start designing a product and/or service!Now that we understand that to touch one UN Millennium Development Goal, we must consider all, choose a specific design opportunity you found during the Systems Mapping project, a region within your studied country and a target market and develop a

Solving Overlooked Problems

2008-10-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

Some words of wisdom from Paul Graham found here.Find (a) simple solutions (b) to overlooked problems (c) that actually need to be solved, and (d) deliver them as informally as possible, (e) starting with a very crude version 1, then (f) iterating rapidly.

9/25/08 Homework A: Systems Mapping

2008-09-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Due Thursday October 2.The UN Millennium Goals all pertain to a different area of focus, yet, they are indubitably interconnected. To address one problem, one must consider all. Because of this, it is important that we understand the system in which these are in and how they all affect each other. The difference between a designer and a design entrepreneur is having the ability to look between

9/25/08 Homework B: Story Boards- A day in the Life

2008-09-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Due Tuesday Sept 30Depict a day in the life of an individual living in a particular region. Type of people: rural poor farmer, a little girl, a little boy, a town's political figure, a pregnant mother, an HIV+ market vendor, a rural doctor, a rural teacher. (You will choose one of these in class.)Location: Your story board will be using the same region you did your research on for the UN MDGs.Do

Claudia Ford on the History of Development

2008-09-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Claudia Ford, Director of RISD's International Affairs, speaks to RISD's Design for Social Entrepreneurship class to share her knowledge on the history of development and some of the criticisms of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Below is her slideshow and stay tuned for the live video series!Claudia Ford PresentationView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: ford claudia)Thank

Homework A: International Precedents

2008-09-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Due Thursday: September 25.There are numerous organizations, products and services that are currently attempting to address the MDGs either directly or indirectly. It is important to be aware of existing precedents to build upon other’s experiences as to improve and not duplicate what has already been done. We will look at several of these precedents as they relate to the MDGs and consider what

Homework B: Brainstorm Sketches

2008-09-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

Inspired from your research of an existing precedent, quickly sketch out about 10 product or service ideas that come to mind. These can be ways to improve the product, a variation, or a new product all together. Scan them in and post your sketches to your blog and come into class prepared to share your ideas.

Day 2: Pyramids and Countries

2008-09-21T23:32:00.001-07:00

Today in class we discussed the concept, "Bottom of the Pyramid," which refers to the 4 billion people in the world living off of $2/day or less, typically in developing countries. However, the pyramid concepts actually implies a hierarchy, which is a mentality we want to avoid. Another pyramid is Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. In this class we will be looking at products and or services that

Homework Assignment A: Inspiration and Information

2008-09-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

This week's homework assignment is meant to give us a greater understanding of what some people and organizations are currently doing today to address global concerns throughout the globe, and to give us greater understanding of the context of these situations. As well as inspire us to see some of the progressive thinkers of our day. The speakers we will watch vary from native peoples, social

Homework Assignment B: Compare and Contrast

2008-09-17T14:27:00.001-07:00

Find two other astounding TED or PopTech! videos to watch that address an international concern. Compare the two, and how they relate and how the approaches to addressing the concern differ. Write about two paragraphs. To make the blog look more interesting, find an image or take a screenshot of the talk to add to your blog. Come into class prepared to discuss your findings.

Assignment C: Brainstorming and Blue Sky Ideation

2008-09-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Right after or while you watch your Talks, sketch out some blue sky ideas for products/services that relate to what the talk is about. This is your opportunity to be as out there as you want to be. Do about 10, or however many you want, scan them, and post them on your blog. (try to photoshop them a little bit first to adjust the levels so the drawing can be more clear and well presented.)Bring

Assignment D: DeSE logo

2008-09-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

In Illustrator, develop two new logo ideas to bring in next week and discuss. You can work individually or as a team. Consider some of the themes we discussed in class.Below are some sketches from our first logo brainstorm we did in class.Some things we liked and disliked: Like: simplicity, a unique form with the letter DeSE on the side, something that captures the emotion but doesn't have to be

Day 2: Layout Parameter

2008-09-16T23:29:00.000-07:00

Choosing a page layout for format consistency so we can put our research together for a collective book!And the winner is: Page Size: 8.5" x 14"Font: ArialMargin: .5"

Day 2: DeSE Logo Brainstorm

2008-09-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

UNMDG Research Questions

2008-09-15T21:15:00.001-07:00

To view this week's research questions for homework, please click here. All research from each goal must be visually represented using the format discussed in class, in a visually enticing way. Each student is responsible for researching the current situations in their chosen country in the context of each UN Millennium Development Goal. You will come into class on Thursday, Sept 18, with 9

Day 1: Things we Love and Hate about the Creative Process

2008-09-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge images.

Day 1- Conceptualizing Sustainability

2008-09-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Day 1: Homework

2008-09-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend's homework is as follows: 1. Create your first blog entry describing why you signed up for the DeSE Studio, or if you did not originally sign up for it, but are deciding to stay, discuss why you have chosen to stay. In both cases, also discuss what you hope to get out of the class.2. Take a look at some of the blogs and organizations on the DeSE sight, as well as the del.icio.us

Day 1: In Class Assignments

2008-09-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

The afternoon assignments consisted of several tech savvy maneuvers to get ready for the rest of the semester. They included: Sign up for a gmail account if you do not already have one. Create a blog using your gmail account information as your login. -each students' blog is going to be used as the central hub of their documentation of their research and design projects, as well as a marketing

Day 1: DeSE Group

2008-09-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

Introducing... the participants of RISD's Design for Social Entrepreneurship Studio! Each student pictured above is representing their initials with their hands, and with the help of a few other hands, so we can start learning names and avoid using paper to write on. Too bad we didn't know sign language, but this certainly got the job done too. We're off to a great start with the studio! Stay

Survey Monkey

2008-09-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

Linked here is a brief survey to gauge participants interests and understanding of studio topic. There are no right or wrong answers. Click Here to take survey.

Syllabus Now Available!

2008-09-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

The semester is approaching soon! Next Tuesday, RISD ID Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to stop by the ID building to meet with professors to find out more about all the studios. For those of you who are not able to make it, click HERE to view the Design for Social Entrepreneurship course syllabus. And please feel free to contact me for further questions: sami.nerenberg (at) gmail.com

DeSE Course Description

2008-08-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

Design for Social Entrepreneurship (DeSE)RISD Fall '08A social entrepreneur is someone who recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to make social change.This course aims to cultivate social entrepreneurial designers by investigating the power of product, system and service design to create positive social and environmental change.