Istituto Europeo di Design - DESIGN FOR A BETTER WORLD

The Istituto Europeo di Design has always shown commitment to social issues and, has supported various projects that have materialized into innovative design opportunities. Projects designed to explore society and its problems, thus covering multiple perspectives, from environmental protection to global warming, from delicate issues such as aids, drugs, famine and poverty, and so on. For 2007 IED is introducing an International Special project calling upon students to tackle present day social challenges and seek new ideas to "Design for a better World".
The sub-themes are developed in relation to IED Schools: MODA LAB (Fashion), DESIGN, VISUAL ARTS AND COMMUNICATION.

IED has always been strongly motivated in showing how Design is not only an instrument for creating luxury items, but it can actually contribute in resolving social problems.

With this vision, IED has always encouraged project solutions concerning social issues, focusing on joint projects together with leader organizations in social issues such as Médecins Sans Frontieres, Green Cross, Unicef, Emergency, Amnesty International, Aids Life, CEI and Italian public offices in health care.

IED Schools have been called upon to develop special assignments; real life missions related to different segments of society and concerning different subject matters from devising alternative farming in the Chernobyl affected areas, to excogitating new devices for energy resources. Project solutions for the purifying of water in Africa, to designing warm clothes and accessories for the populations facing cold temperatures. To developing new concepts for transporting medical instruments and the wounded. To designing gadgets for the handicapped to reproduce, to campaigns for blood donations, human rights and prevention against drugs and aids.

Any student attending last year’s secondary school and secondary school graduates anywhere in the world, may enter the selection.

The submission are closed. Because of the great amount of projects received we will reveal the winners names on April 15th 2007. As well, the winners will be contacted directly from Istituto Europeo di Design.

Thank you to all the students partecipating in the special project and we are very sorry for the delay.

IED staff

Accepting entries: October 30th 2007
Deadline for entries: March 15th 2007
Screening: March 16th 2007
Announcement of Prizewinners: March 30th 2007

The Scholarships awarded will range from 20% of the tuition fee value up to 80% of the tuition fee value.

1. Industrial Design:
MOBILE PHONES FOR THE ELDERLY

Design has ingrained in its historical roots the role for inspiring new concepts in products and services for individuals and society. Society is made up of individuals from different age groups that have different needs and desires. The elderly are very active and have many demands: for example communication is an important every day aspect, communicating to maintain family relations and communicating when there is the need of help. The brief of this special project consists in designing a mobile phone for seniors. This project needs to take into account some of the following ergonomic factors and needs to be user-friendly: the keypad to the cellular phone along with the display monitor need to be more perceptive such as an intuitive interface. It should be of appropriate dimensions without the need for written instructions. A user friendly mobile phone that acts as a faithful friend for the elderly, for grandparents for example.

2. Interior Design:
ACTIVITY CENTER FOR ADOLOSCENTS

Interior Design operates from within the architectural framework focusing on aspects such as sensitivity, emotions, materials and light. As a social theme it can also relate to living spaces, cultural spaces that function as a sort of activity center for adolescents. This brief consists in developing an area where adolescents can get together, work on their interests and express their creativity. These activities are often carried out on outer premises and are also prone to climatic conditions, lack of safety and control. In this new living space adolescents can take part in sports, repair their motorcycles, paint a wall, play music, or follow a professional course; a creative place that functions as a set to stimulate ideas and creativity.

1. GENDER EQUITY

This is an occasion to highlight the aspects that induces women’s banishment in today’s society. It is also an occasion to interpret the roles played by men and women and to learn the historical and social motivations that have evolved into this stereotype attitude. To interpret certain mechanisms that grow into banishing gender’s (women’s) access to a successful and long term career. This project for gender equity wants to end this discrimination and violence that is often associated to women’s living conditions.

2. DRUGS ADDICTION

The choice of speaking out on drug addiction, with drugs like cocaine and ecstasy is mainly because the use of these substances is a widespread phenomenon at different age levels in the younger generation. Its use is not limited to the occasional get together or for a "a night out on the town", but it is now part of the norm. Insecurity, not accepting oneself or normal life crisis problems draws kids towards the use of these substances. The purpose of this brief is to campaign against this dreadful habit and the bad mistake of experimenting, but most of all, the frightening outcome from its use.

1. LIFESTYLE TODAY

There are different kind of movements in today’s lifestyle that reflect the peoples’ attitudes and values. The essence of lifestyle trends, fashion, moods, style, originate from our environment in every day life. The metropolitan mood - even with social phenomena of cultural, religious and racial clashes and all the critical contradictions coming from juvenile unease in contemporary society - affects young generations into developing their own style, to communicate their culture, their beliefs or simply by showing their roots, thus giving identity to new forms of style. This project is about reporting the “local scene” in your city.

2. DEVELOPING INDUSTRIALIZATION

Industrialization has brought us a great deal of material wealth. However there are many underdeveloped countries that don’t have the tools to develop local resources such as natural and vegetable fibers, textile, leather, precious stones and metals. The local craft-work is appreciated as the quality of the raw materials is precious, but because there is a lack of design know-how, their products are poor in creativity. The theme to this project consists in helping these communities in improving their products’ features, their design and character. By producing superior goods, these communities have greater opportunities to start-up production and therefore undertake trade to develop liaisons with industrialised markets.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

The preservation of the Environment is everyone’s responsibility. All of us must take personal care in treasuring nature’s elements, such as water, a precious commodity that needs conservation, forest conservation because forest diminishment would yield tremendous benefits for the planet’s ecosystem. Ocean protection, because we are witnessing the destruction of ocean habitat and collapse of marine wildlife populations that is happening as a result of the effects of human populations. The aim to this project is to draw awareness for preserving nature and allow mankind to live in a better world.

2. POVERTY

Poverty represents hunger, lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. How can we help poverty stricken populations? An effective campaign is this projects’ objective, to motivate and build awareness in favor of these populations that are powerless and need to be represented.