CONF: A Better World by Design conference, October 2-4 @ Brown/RISD

I would like to inform you of an exciting and innovative upcoming conference on globally conscious design and the creation of an international community of social and environmental activism.

A Better World by Design: October 2-4 at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI.

Now in its second year, A Better World by Design brings together a global community of innovators to Providence, Rhode Island to reach across disciplines and unite under a common goal – to make a better world. Our student-run, student-created conference is working to create connections and catalyze projects and interactions to reshape the world we live in through the amazing power of integrative thinking and design.

Over three days, participants will experience our speaker sessions, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and evening social events, linking hundreds of enthusiastic, motivated young people with individuals and companies who have already made, and are continuing to make, their impact on the world. We will discuss and take action on the important role design has to play in addressing some of our most pressing problems from climate change, to slum living, to our over-dependence on fossil fuels. Our guests include architects, industrial designers, engineers, artists, educators, authors, scientists, graphic designers and entrepreneurs.

Speakers include Jan Chipchase of the Nokia Research Center, William Drenttel of Design Observer and Winterhouse, Jaime Lerner, urban planner and former mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, Vivian Loftness of Carnegie Mellon University, Emily Pilloton of Project H Design, John Maeda of RISD, and Stefan Behnisch of Behnisch Architekten. We will also be welcoming panelists and workshops from around the world to engage topics such as Clean Energy, Green Building & Architecture, Architecture in the Developing World, Communication for Activism, and the Integration of Design & Business. The conference is also featuring the first in-person One Hour Design Challenge sponsored by Core77 and the kick-off experience of Project M’s (blank)LAB.

Visit http://www.abetterworldbydesign.com/ for more information.