+ Design can Change: the Graphic Design community takes a pledge

I frequently visit Eric Karjaluoto's site, ideasonideas which is a excellent collection of essays on design. (Eric is a Partner/Creative Director of smashLAB, a Interactive strategy & web development agency in Vancouver, Canada.)

His latest essay grabbed my attention, Reflections on Y13: Seeds of Change. Needless to say, I had to check out their initiative he mentioned in the essay, Design Can Change. It is a resource and commitment of a group of Graphic/Interactive Designers who seek design solutions that encourage sustainable design. I look forward to seeing this promising initiative grow.

So, please go check it out.

+ The United Way

It is nearly impossible to talk about communities in the United States without mentioning the United Way. The United Way raises more than 4 billion dollars a year to support organizations that promote strong, healthy communities. The United Way works on community improvement with many different partners, from local grass root organizations to sophisticated lobbyists in Washington DC.
Many designers want to give back to the communities where they work, and would like to do so using the skills that they have mastered. The United Way is an obvious place to start for companies and designers looking to give back to their communities. It is a resource that understands the value of collaboration and has a track record of engaging business in community issues. Take for instance their current partnership with Cheap Tickets.

This partnership uses the United Way database of volunteer opportunities and matches it with Cheap Tickets' information on flights and locations to enable travelers to engage with the communities in which they are traveling. It is a great example of what can happen when businesses and non-profits work together to improve the world we live in!