Design for Social Change

As designers, it is our job to create and disseminate engaging and beautiful messages and materials in service of promoting an idea or product. In this course, instead of selling toothbrushes, we will explore design as a catalyst for social change. We will focus on marrying design to activism, and examine established methodologies for developing and fostering a successful call to action. Students will work individually or in groups to design and implement a campaign for a cause of their choosing; final deliverable forms will vary but may include posters, websites, to public art installations. Through lectures, in-class activities, and critiques, students will learn about the role design and designers play in social activism, as well as strategies for research, ideation, prototyping, and testing design solutions. This course is open to all levels, though a very basic familiarity with Adobe CC (or equivalent software) for print or motion is useful. 

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Note: During this period of remote learning, access to a computer or other digital device is essential for attending lectures, demonstrations and critiques.  Students who are taking courses in digital media must have access to a computer, and will be asked to purchase a student license to the Adobe Suite.  Tufts is making these licenses available at a greatly reduced price.  Adobe software is not only essential for your courses, but is essential to almost any design or illustration practice. By purchasing this software, you will be able to access it on your own computer at your convenience.  Instructions on purchasing and downloading the software will be sent to you before classes begin.