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Design Blog Design Blog » Design for the Other 90% » Video: In Their Own Words

Video: In Their Own Words

What is the best way to convey the spirit of the work being done around the world? Footage of the exhibition objects being used in the locations where they are normally used helps provide context. I also received a phone call from Botswana, one of the contributors to exhibition was traveling to New York. I asked to film an interview with her. This would be the first of many interviews I would conduct. We combined a voice over from the interviews with the compelling footage of the objects in use. The introductory video also provided an opportunity to explore an additional range of themes that may not be as apparent, running through the exhibition and this area of design: open source options, leapfrog technology, economic impacts, community building, testing and end-user research, low-cost innovations, social enterprise, humanitarian entrepreneurship, improved democracies and multiple calls to action.

About the Author: Cynthia E. Smith is the curator of Design for the Other 90% and manages travel exhibitions at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

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Comments

  1. This is remarkable. What an outstanding effort to utilize the genius of some to help millions of less fortunate Thank you for making me aware of this project and initiating this important work. It’s brilliant.

    Nancy MacDonald | Oct 29, 11:16 AM

  2. In July 2005, We* started planning with Dr. Paul Polak for “The Four Revolutions Needed to End Poverty”. Before we met to brainstorm in Nova Scotia, he wrote: “I believe that nothing less than revolutions in water, agriculture, markets, and design are needed. All four are doable and practical, and I’m committed to making them happen before I die. My dream for the brainstorm is find ways for you to jump in as major players, in a way that fits with your dreams.”

    It’s been an education, a long process and a great opportunity for us all.

    Wonderful presentation of Design for the Other 90%, Cynthia! You have truly incapsulated the idea.

    Thank you, the Cooper Hewitt, and all the designers for making tangible this idea that Paul inspired at the Aspen Design Leadership Summit in 2005, and presented at the AIGA’s Aspen Design Summit in 2006. A heroic effort and one sure to inspire many more Designs for the Other 90%. We* (the design braintrust formed after the first summit including Barbara Bloemink, Cheryl Heller, Ann Willoughby, and Michael Cronan) has worked with Paul and the International Development Enterprises (IDE) community to realize the Four Revolutions and to create the Revolution in Design.

    Our dream is find ways for everyone to jump in as major players, in a way that fits with their dreams.

    Paul says “How do we change how the world thinks and acts about dollar-a-day poverty? I want to make three things happen:

    Change the way design is taught in the west.

    Change the way design is taught in developing countries.
    Create a platform for 10,000 of the world’s best designers to address the practical problems of the other 90% of the world’s customers.”

    Karin Hibma Cronan | Oct 29, 11:17 AM

  3. Amazing. How can I help? My knowledge is modest, but my youthful motivation maybe helpful. I am a once Computer Science undergraduate major thinking of entering the field of psychology/social work. How does someone who wants to help, do so?

    Carlos Encalada | Oct 29, 11:17 AM

  4. How pertinent! As a product designer, I felt that my University education neglected so many other parameters-economic, social, environmental-to name a few. For the past two years I lived in Panama as a volunteer working with small scale water systems and health education. I always tried to use my creative skills to introduce and perpetuate new ideas (not easy in a developing country) in the local population. One of our most successful projects was a rainwater collection system for the elementary school, eliminating the need to carry water 1/2 mile from the river. I would like to stay involved with this kind of socially focused design, if anyone has an open project going on, I’d love to contribute some ideas!

    Andrew Parrucci | Oct 29, 11:18 AM

  5. Hello Cynthia,

    I am the founder of Appropedia (www.Appropedia.org), the wiki for co-creating (answering Carlos’s question on how to help) sustainable solutions like the ones your exhibit highlights.

    I am also the executive editor of the International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering (http://www.ijsle.org) which brings a publishing platform to those students engaged in designing with the other 90%.

    I am currently in New York and am excited to visit your exhibit. If you have any time, I would like to discuss the installations with you.

    Thank you,
    Lonny

    Lonny Grafman | Oct 29, 11:18 AM

  6. Thanks to all who have visited the exhibit/website and taken an interest in design for the other 90%!

    For those interested in learning more about IDE’s work, please visit http://www.ide-international.org. The site includes information on affordable technologies, contact information, and more. (Please note that IDE does not sell its technologies in the U.S.)

    Aaron Langton | Oct 29, 11:19 AM

  7. Amazing. I am a student and a designer. What can I do to help/ get involved?

    Miranda Rensch | Oct 29, 11:19 AM