Inspiring Excerpts from Design for the Other 90%

In general, the word design is defined and based on how an object or concept balances three attributes: aesthetics, function, and cost…although the word design is visible everywhere – to describe the latest furniture, fashions and accessories, or as the current panacea for generating consumer interest and increasing corporate bottom lines, most design object are barely visible or discussed in our daily lives. Pg 5-6.

This book represents a chorus of singular voices of designers who are using their creativity, experience, and knowledge to transform the means by which millions of people live. These pages pay tribute to the designers – whether professionals or self-trained, global or regional, students or professors, individuals or teams – who, rather than just adding another object or concept to our consumer culture, are looking around the world, identifying true problems and needs, and working with users to design solutions to meet them. Pg. 8

What I found as I began my research was a groundswell of work being done by a dedicated group of designer, engineers, architects, and entrepreneurs around the world to create sustainable solutions for improving people’s lives. A movement is growing within the professional design community and the design, engineering, and architecture schools to direct our practices toward socially responsible, sustainable, humanitarian design. This represents a sea change, as the focus has shifted to underserved populations. Pg 16

So where did I find the international designers who are working to design for the 90% of the world who traditionally cannot afford ‘designed’ work? I found them at universities and at small non-profits….may these stories inspire young designers, established professionals, educators, journalists, and each of us to make a difference and help bring an end to poverty and the rise of sustainability in all of its forms. Pg 17