AIGA Philadelphia is partnering up with Clean Currents, Kensington Renewal, and Delaware Valley Green Building Council to introduce Lots of Power, a new mentoring program where creative professionals team up with high school students to address vacant lots in Philadelphia. The goal is to find innovative design thinking solutions for vacant lots in Kensington. Philadelphia teens involved in local community programs will have the opportunity to work with design professionals from local studios, firms, agencies, universities and design students to get the full experience of using design thinking to impact their neighborhoods. Students will be matched up with professionals on a 1:1 basis.
“A major initiative for AIGA Philadelphia is something called, “Design for Good,” says Alex Zahradnik, Ethics Chair of the Board. The organization sees design as an agent of positive social change. “The designer’s natural ability for problem solving lends itself to creative solutions, creative strategy and information theory.” Design initiatives in the community such as this propose new challenges to designers.
Design has the power to have a positive impact. AIGA Philadelphia believes change has to move beyond awareness and inspire. Nick has spent much time working with non-profits and he believes that creating positive environments for communities helps foster a positive change in people. The importance of instilling the belief of change in the youth is an invaluable idea. “The visual and physical presence of the end result of a young person’s creativity in the community will help grow that belief,” he says.
Are you a creative professional or student who is interested in getting involved? There’s still time to sign up here – but hurry! The deadline is Friday, June 14th.
