Presented by Design Ignites Change and AIGA

AIGA Medalist Sylvia Harris (1953–2011) is widely recognized as a pioneer, a generous mentor and a vital inspiration to the field of social impact design. In that spirit, the Sylvia Harris Citizen Design Award has been established to honor her legacy by supporting other vanguards dedicated to public design.

About the Award

Professional designers may apply with a thoroughly developed project that meets the following broad parameters:

Addresses a pressing social issue within the designer’s community (or a community in which the designer is deeply embedded)Can be implemented within that community in a timely mannerWill deliver positive results that can be measuredProjects must be feasible and applicants must clearly demonstrate the ability to execute and follow through with the implementation process.

Deadline: August 1, 2014

Eligibility

The Sylvia Harris Citizen Design Award is for practicing professionals from all design disciplines (graphic, product, architecture, interior, interactive, service design, etc.). Applicants must have a minimum of one year of professional design experience. Applicants must be based in the United States and the projects must be implemented in the United States in their own community or in a community in which they are deeply embedded.

Evaluation

All award applications will be reviewed by an independent committee of creative professionals, business, civic and nonprofit leaders. Projects will be evaluated on concept, viability and potential for impact.

Selection

The winner will be announced approximately one month after the deadline, at which time monies will be made available.

Application process

Applying for the award is a three-part process:

Part 1: Register as a Design Ignites Change participant
Register as a participant at DesignIgnitesChange.org to receive a participant login, which is required for Part 2. It is recommended that you register at least two weeks before the deadline.

Part 2: Post your project’s case study on DesignIgnitesChange.org
You will post your project case study on the Design Ignites Change site, using the the login you receive once you become a registered participant.

Part 3: Complete an online application
An online application must also be submitted through PitchBurner (requires a separate login) by the deadline. The application system will be available in late spring 2014; in the meantime, we encourage applicants to download a PDF of the application.

Parameters

The following parameters and restrictions apply:

All awarded projects—or a distinct portion of the project that this award will fund—must be executed within one year after the award is announced. Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Award recipients will work under the close supervision of Worldstudio, AIGA and professional consultants until the completion of the project, based on their timeline.Projects can be independently executed in partnership with a corporation or non-profit organization.Design Ignites Change Advisory Board members are not eligible to directly apply, although members from organizations they are affiliated with are eligible.Worldstudio and AIGA employees and family members are ineligible.All concepts remain the intellectual property of the applicants.Adobe Foundation, Worldstudio, AIGA and Design Ignites Change reserve the right to reproduce and showcase the submitted entries as case studies.

About Design Ignites Change

Design Ignites Change believes that creativity holds enormous power to spark positive social change. As a collaboration between the Adobe Foundation and Worldstudio, Design Ignites Change supports creative professionals and students who use design thinking—the combination of unleashed creativity and executable actions—to improve the lives of individuals and communities.

About AIGA

AIGA, the professional association for design, advances design as a professional craft, strategic advantage and vital cultural force. As the largest community of design advocates, we bring together practitioners, enthusiasts and patrons to amplify the voice of design and create the vision for a collective future. We define global standards and ethical practices, guide design education, inspire designers and the public, enhance professional development, and make powerful tools and resources accessible to all. Learn more at aiga.org/about.