designmatters

Welcome to Designmatters at ArtCenter College of Design
Where art & design education meets social change.
More About Us
Fellowship Program
The Designmatters Fellowship Program embeds top ArtCenter students in host organizations for one full 14-week academic term to work on high-level projects and explore the mission, model and meaning of the host organization’s work.
Read more
Leap Dialogues: Career Pathways in Design For Social Innovation
First of its kind book that explores the new career pathways in social innovation for designers. (50 Books | 50 Covers 2015 Winner)
Learn More
Designmatters Project Archive
List of all Designmatters Case Studies in Chronological order.
View Page
Fresh Eyes Cuba: A Deep Immersion and Cultural Exchange in Havana
ArtCenter students are challenged to re-discover how we think, how we design and how we see the world with fresh eyes through a deep immersion and cultural exchange in Havana, Cuba.
View Project
Aquarium of the Pacific: Ocean Impact Studio
In partnership with the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, the Ocean Impact Studio challenged Illustration students from ArtCenter College of Design to tell visually engaging stories about the benefits of marine aquaculture as “Seafood for the Future.”
View Project
Future Craft: Japan + Thailand
Students and faculty from ArtCenter and Tama Art University in Tokyo collaborate to envision new opportunities for design to create social impact with artisans in Northern Thailand.
View Project
COANIQUEM: Safe Niños Development Seminar
Working closely with COANIQUEM pediatric burn rehabilitation center in Santiago, Chile, students refined and improved on final outcomes presented in the Spring '16 Safe Niños Studio, moving design concepts closer to actualization and implementation.
View Project
“Where’s Daryl?” Interaction Design Studio
In partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), this studio – a continuation of the “Where’s Daryl?” educational toolkit created in 2012 and a byproduct of the Uncool Studio in 2011 – challenged students to develop an easy-to-use and functional online teacher training portal so the anti-gun violence curriculum could be scaled nationally and reach a wider potential audience of users.
View Project
Aquarium of the Pacific: Resilient Cities
In partnership with the Environmental Design Department and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA, and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Resilient Coastal Cities Studio challenged ArtCenter students to conceptualize, design and create an exciting, engaging exhibit that would effectively communicate a call to action for the residents of Long Beach and other coastal cities for resiliency in the face of climate change.
View Project
The Designmatters Minor in Social Innovation
Launching in Summer 2017, the Designmatters Minor in social innovation is a course of study for ArtCenter undergraduate students who want to master a toolkit of design skills and strategies to navigate the complex dynamics of working with communities and designing for social change.
Read more
Communicating the Wellbeing of a City with Santa Monica
Communicating the Wellbeing of a City with Santa Monica challenged ArtCenter students to work alongside Santa Monica civic leaders and other community stakeholders to translate the City of Santa Monica’s pioneering Wellbeing Index into innovative transmedia design campaigns.
View Project

Introduction

The Designmatters educational platform at ArtCenter College of Design joins collaboration with experimentation, experience with reflection, problem-solving with problem-discovery, and purpose with action.

Our Mission

Through research, advocacy and action, Designmatters engages, empowers and leads an ongoing exploration of art and design as a positive force in society.

"The students confronted important issues from personal vantage points, ultimately ensuring that others would care about them, too."
Sherry Hoffman, Humanities & Sciences, Faculty

Recent News

Visualization is a Way to Encourage Collaboration in Social Design

KCET Artbound / July 2017

Communicating the Wellbeing of a City with Santa Monica

"Art can create awareness and open a dialogue about topics that people wouldn’t otherwise talk about."
Sharon Levy, Product Design, Student

Design for Freedom from Disability

COANIQUEM: Safe Niños Designing Innovative Interactive Environments for Pediatric Healing

Aquarium of the Pacific: Interactive Selfie Stations

"The practical foundation that underlies this program is that even the most amazing design solutions need to be supported by a strong business model in order to be implemented and sustainable."
Adlai Wertman, Professor, Marshall School of Business, USC