Tuesday, January 26, 2010

THE NDHS MAC ARTHUR GRANT PROPOSAL


In 2007 the Cooper-Hewitt launched the exhibition DESIGN FOR THE OTHER 90%. The show highlights industrial designers using their craft to address the basic challenges of survival in underserved populations. One example is the LIFESTRAW, which prevents disease by purifying drinking water.

Inspired by the exhibition, NDHS is designing a class around this problem solving ideology. By looking globally and then designing locally, students will solve pressing NYC issues.

Students will watch the film GARBAGE DREAMS. The film follows three teenage boys born into the trash-trade on the outskirts of Cairo. Students will then conduct research into the local equivalent of the issue. Designing products that solve a problem, the effort will form a larger campaign called NEW DESIGN for NEW YORK.

BUT HOW DOES IT BECOME A CAUSE?
By looking at awareness campaigns such as PRODUCT RED, students will see the social nature of entrepreneurship. To push the promotional side of design, students will evaluate products on the Discovery Channel’s PITCHMEN with the late Billy Mays.

GETTING IDEAS OUT IN THE WORLD
With their product and pitch in place, students will create infomercials to be aired on a MobileMe website through You-Tube. From the site students can recruit followers of their product on TWITTER and people can join the NEW DESIGN for NEW YORK cause on Facebook.

With a bona-fide fan base, students will mimic research and development prototype evaluation. SURVEY MONKEY and online testimonials using SKYPE will provide this data. Finally students will present their designs to INVENT NOW!

REAL PEOPLE, REAL PRODUCTS, REAL FUTURES
This class teaches engineering and entrepreneurship through industrial design. Students will make a field trip to see the Textile Engineering Program at Philadelphia University and Penn’s Weiss Tech House.

No comments: