This post has been almost week in the making because I've just been so busy! On Thursday night I was invited to a dinner for 'DESIGN for SOCIAL IMPACT' at the r.e.a.l store, Woolloomooloo. It truly was an inspirational evening. Starting with an exhibition of works by students from UNSW Art & Design (formerly COFA), guests sat down to a sustainable meal, heard from inspirational Designers and Guest Speakers, with a silent auction of works from local artists.
Student works included AU.thentic by Lucy Hoskin, Children in Protective Isolation by Sabah Asif, Coral by Ellie King, Anxiety by Zoe Jenkins, Dhaka by Ayusha Dallakoti, Gulp n' Give by Lauren Goritsas, The BARD Project by Simon Swalding, The Blue Marigold project by Tara Chatrath, Catharsis by Eliza Prescott and SEE SEA Change by Ann-Marie Rouhana. These students were mentored by Virginia Bruce through The REAL Design for Social Impact mentoring program.
Dhaka by Ayusha Dallakoti focussed on gender equality for Nepalese women through opportunities to learn new skills for income generation. She designed a beautiful homeware range of ceramics and textiles, naturally dyed using tumeric and tea.
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| REAL Design for Social Impact Dinner Feast prepared by John Montagu The Gentle Deer, 2014 |
I was particularly impressed by Lucy Hoskin's AU.thentic project about Fairtrade Gold. Fairtrade gold is
still pretty rare in Australia. According to Lucy, only 2 companies are
supplying fairtrade gold. AU.thentic is about being conscious consumers and being counter cultural in supporting a fair trade economy in place of one that exploits people in developing nations.
'It is my understanding that every consumer has a voice, just not every designer attempts to challenge their buyers to use it.'
~Lucy, I couldn't agree more.
A small ball representing fairtrade gold fits into these three 3D printed & cast pendants. The ball also fits into a little book, cleverly poetic and beautifully illustrated. If I had the money to publish that little gem, I would!
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| Lucy Hoskin |
Tara Chatrath has also used her major project 'The Blue Marigold Project' to focus on bringing dignity to the lives of the marginalised. 'If we are to realise a future we want, we must hear the needs and calls of the marginalised and underprivileged.' I am so excited about these students advocating for consumers to pay attention to the people behind the products.
Looking back on it, I think it's a shame that I didn't involve myself and my major project 'Advocate for the Artisans' in the Real Design for Social Impact mentoring program. But now I can let this night inspire me to continue pursuing my goals to create sustainable livelihoods for the poor and disadvantaged. And now that I've seen the value in this program, I would encourage any future students to consider this brief.
Looking back on it, I think it's a shame that I didn't involve myself and my major project 'Advocate for the Artisans' in the Real Design for Social Impact mentoring program. But now I can let this night inspire me to continue pursuing my goals to create sustainable livelihoods for the poor and disadvantaged. And now that I've seen the value in this program, I would encourage any future students to consider this brief.
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