40 design and business students from all over the world have gathered in Copenhagen with the intent to create designs that will improve life.
It is easier to grasp the scale of global challenges such as climate change, epidemics and natural disasters, if approached bottom-up; what can you, as an individual, do to lessen their impact or even prevent them from happening?
Problem Solvers by Craft
The non-profit organization INDEX: believes that designers are problem solvers, which gives them the power to improve people's lives and to have a humanitarian impact. They just need to be encouraged to become socially conscious and envision solutions to urgent needs such as basic shelter, health care, mobility, education, and access to clean water, energy and sanitation.
International Design Lab
Therefore, INDEX: is hosting a three week long design lab in Copenhagen from August 10, which is attended by design and business students from countries like Botswana, Canada, Denmark, Jordan, Korea, Italy, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Qatar, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan and USA. Here, the students will gain an understanding of user-centred design and innovation processes - from identifying a problem and prototyping economically feasible solutions to communicating their final concept to a relevant audience.
Addressing the Leaders of Tomorrow
"The summer camp is just the initial step in our efforts to promote user-centered methodologies among the next generation of top desgners and business leaders and to direct their attention to the human and commercial potential of Design to Improve Life. We believe this should be on the curriculum of all design and business schools in the world," says Lise Vejse Klint, who as Director of Program and Events at INDEX: is chief coordinator of the INDEX: Summer Camp.
Eventful August in Copenhagen
The summer camp is just the first in a line of INDEX: design events in Copenhagen this month. From August 17 to September 23, the outdoor INDEX: AWARD EXHIBITION on Kgs. Nytorv Square in central Copenhagen presents 106 topnominated designs for the world's biggest design award, INDEX: AWARD, which is presented in Copenhagen City Hall on August 24. And on August 23 and 25, leading international design and innovation thinkers and doers from around the world will lecture on, debate and engage in conversations with the audience on four themes and sub themes within the realm of user-centered design and Innovation and Design to Improve Life.
http://www.indexaward.dk/2007/default.asp?...amp;Folder=2282