Design for the First World offers innovators from developing countries a chance to solve problems afflicting developed nations.
A New York University student’s annoyance at being asked to “create an object on social design” – a weekly assignment – has spawned an international contest, Design for the First World (Dx1W). It is a call to architects, artists, designers, engineers, thinkers and curious minds in developing countries to provide solutions for First World problems.
Carolina Vallejo explains the rationale behind the competition: “We have been focusing our energy and resources on trying to solve our developing world problems to become more like the First World. But perhaps it is time that we, the so-called Third World minds, focused our energy and creativity on solving some of the First World’s problems. We will have a brighter future to look forward to, and perhaps this can help us rethink and approach our current problems from a different perspective.” Vallejo took her idea forward and soon found many takers for it, and also sponsors.
Dx1W has defined four main areas: Food production and eating disorders; ageing population and low birth rate; immigration and integration to society; and sustainability and overconsumption.
There are just two criteria to participate in the contest: You have to be a citizen and resident from a developing country, and one must be 13 years of age or older.
The best designs and solutions will be awarded. There’s a $1,000 prize for entries that reflect systems thinking, sustainability, accessibility, materials exploration, technology, and cultural relevance. Humour and irony will be tolerated if a solution is at the core of it.
The winning entries will be showcased at a gallery in New York City, and 15 of the best will find themselves in a catalogue as well.
A panel of outstanding designers, architects and thinkers form the jury for the contest. Arvind Lodaya, dean of research and projects at the Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology, Bangalore, is part of the jury. On his perspective and motivation for the project, Lodaya writes: “I would like most of all to see this initiative feed into and evolve into the broader discussion on the future of humanity [and the planet that we live on], that includes diverse voices and views, thereby throwing up many more visions and models for the future than the handful [even that is stretching it] that we seem to have currently.”
There are four others on the panel, all of them from different developing countries.
The application process is electronic and the judging will be done on-screen.
The deadline for entry is July 1, 2010 and each individual or team can submit up to five design solutions.
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