Design for Social Impact & Special Problem: January 2017–May 2018

What is Design for Social Impact? It’s design centered around the community and human experience. The steps were to 1) choose a partner in the community, 2) use design research methods, and 3) develop a solution with your community partner. The solution should be achievable, useful and meaningful. In this case, to educate/provoke thinking about something in a new way and invite participation. The began working with Cedar Creek High School in BISD in my course project, fall 2017, and continued through a special problems course the following spring.

Knowing 60% of the school’s population is on free/reduced lunch plans and no grocery store for miles I began thinking there was a food accessibility problem. Through the course of my research—which included a card sort, student survey/activity, one-on-one interviews with students, faculty, and staff—and time with faculty and students I learned it was an education and resources issue. A series of four solutions ranging from simple/inexpensive to complex/expensive were presented to school admin along with a resource website for faculty to reference when planning lessons and consulting with students. The full presentation can be viewed here.

Instruction: Molly Sherman, Design for Social Impact
Designer:  Mikaela Buck
Community Partner: Cedar Creek High School