Ideal to Material

Looking through the lists of some many organizations presented in the A Better World by Design, I was really inspired to see the collaborative work of different fields of design to a common cause. We as designers want to impact society by solving user’s problems, but in what directions can this mind set lead us? All of the projects I went through were mind opening and potentially started from just questioning: what if? It is hopeful to see that idealistic thinking could lead to concrete solutions.

In Kevin Quale’s blog ( www.kevinquale.blogspot.com ), he discusses about the humanitarian designs coming from developed countries like U.S and their solutions based on misconceived ideas. I agree with him that creating an image of third world countries around piety hides the potential that they have. By providing immediate solution, such as food, medicine, and money can minimize, or better saying, cover the problem in a short term. However, it is not the best way to eradicate the problem in a long term. I believe that communities in third world countries do have potential to grow, and the best is to notice that and provide them with resources. That is why projects from organizations like KickStar (http://www.kickstart.org/) called my attention. The company proposes products not intended to solve immediate problems, but, in a long term, to support poor communities being self sufficient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZei012CM0I

In Brazil, there is a cosmetic brand called Natura. The company has a specific cosmetic line called Ekos Natura that uses raw ingredients found in Brazilian biodiversity. However, what I found to be most interesting about this project is the preservation of culture and tradition. The mediators of nature and consumers are the indigenous communities that know how to use the nature in a non obtrusive way. There is more than creating a sustainable product, but supporting the natural and historical heritage of the country.

Andiroba
One of the ingredients that the company uses in many of their products is a tree called “andiroba”. Its leaves and seeds are used locally as medicine to prevent worm and lower fever. The company uses the oil that comes out of them to smooth skin and as natural insect repellent.

Castanha-do-Para
For many years Brazilian indigenous has been eating this kind of nut as essential antioxidant nutrition. Its oil has moisturizing quality.

http://www.natura.net/port/cosmoprof/ing/index.asp?urldest=http://www.natura.net/port/cosmoprof/ing/home.asp

I think that these two projects are relevant for their consideration of these developing countries’ culture and history. By providing support through products that would improve their profits or by financing their local economy, these local communities have the means to grow independently.