Sappi Fine Paper’s Ideas that Matter program is an initiative launched in 1999 by the international paper company in an effort to promote the power of design for the public good. Sappi awards monetary grants to designers throughout the world to help them design and implement campaigns for non-profit organizations addressing cultural, health, and human rights efforts, as well as supporting the homeless, underprivileged and disabled.

AED Social Change Design, working with the AED Center for Early Care and Education, recently submitted an Ideas that Matter proposal which was chosen from a competitive field of over 100 fellow North American applicants as a grant recipient. The grant will fund a project that will involve creating a directory to assist migrant farm worker parents in locating safe, comprehensive educational and social service centers for themselves and their children.

The amount of the grant, $49,200, was the full amount requested in the proposal, and nearly the maximum possible amount of $50,000 allotted to grantees. This project provides a fantastic opportunity for AED Social Change Design to continue using our creativity and design skills to produce high quality and innovative communications that benefit society.

The poster features the work of renowned designer, illustrator and artist, Luba Lukova, with whom we worked to produce this illustration depicting our battle cry: “Design Ignites Change.” For more information about Luba’s work, visit her website at www.lukova.net or the artist’s spotlight at Altpick.  

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the poster, please email us at designsc@aed.org.

Recently, we have expanded our scope by taking on a new client: Ashoka, a dynamic, high-profile nonprofit organization known for being a leader in the development of global social entrepreneurship. AED Social Change Design is in the process of re-vamping Ashoka’s overall brand by giving it a fresh look and creating consistency throughout their marketing materials. The goal of the Ashoka Social Networking brochure is to expand Ashoka’s global network of like-minded business people, including entrepreneurs, senior executives, investment bankers, venture capitalists, and consultants.

Every year, the AED Center on AIDS and Community Health collaborates with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to plan the annual Community Health Summit. This yearly summit brings together representatives of community-based organizations from across the nation to share information, build professional relationships, and develop skills with which they can better serve their communities.

AED Social Change Design has successfully developed a logo and accompanying materials for the summit since its inception in 1998. This year’s theme was “Strengthening the Pathway: Integrating Education and the Health Sidewalk.” Past themes have included “Kids Healthy and Ready to Succeed in School” (2005) and “Weighing in on Children’s Health: Tipping the Scale on Obesity, Nutrition & Fitness” (2006).