Summer Intensive Portfolio Design Course
Thesis Topic: To promote global and community service and volunteer work to recently unemployed people who are uncertain of their industry’s security or what their “next step” could be.
Intention: To inspire and educate those who aren’t aware of what possibilities lay outside the box, or “cubicle”.
Purpose: Bring an awareness of global problems to those that are concerned with life on a more micro scale. I would also like to appeal to those that gauge their self worth on how much money they make or what their title is. No one is safe in today’s economy, and I want people to understand that it’s ok if you worked so hard towards a career that isn’t proving to be lucrative anymore, or for an industry that may be suffering. I want us to realize that being “productive” and being “happy” can come in many different ways.
Process: Researching where the most help is needed and what programs are set up to cater the needs of a community and/or the environment. This topic can be extremely broad, and so I will probably limit it to a particular region or a particular cause. Once I devise my statistics on this singular topic, I would like to;
I am choosing this topic for one huge reason - it is something that I wish to do myself in the next few months. I figure that if I have to spend a considerable amount of time and effort on a particular topic, I should a.) kill two birds with one stone, and b.) choose something that motivates and moves me.
I realized some time ago that my daily tasks did not make a difference in the world. This frustrated me. I felt that even though I had a job that offered security, great benefits, and all the perks that working for a top company could offer, I wasn’t being fulfilled. As a designer, my work became stale, mundane, just a response to what was immediately needed. Working long and stressful hours meant that my time away from the office was stretched thin. I felt overwhelmed by routine, and nothing seemed to be stimulating. I needed a change.
Before I moved to Manhattan and started working full-time, I traveled for three months around the world. I visited 11 countries, and was exposed to the pure excitement of travel. I realized then and there that it was my passion, that while I was experiencing the world, I felt the most alive. Living, working, just getting caught up in rent, overtime, and social activities have made me feel like I am drowning in a different set of responsibilities that I want.
While I was at first upset about being laid off, I came to view it as an opportunity to fix these major personal dilemas that have been affecting me. If nothing else, I look at is as was to focus on myself for the first time since I graduated college. However, I know for a fact that others in my situation don’t share my enthusiasm about being “terminated”. Most feel stress, anger, desperation - all negative emotions. While I understand their frustration, I am aware that this is just the state of our economy right now, and there isn’t much we can do about it. If we define ourselves solely what we do from 9-5, who are we for the rest of the time? And when that “title” is taken from us, how do we identify ourselves then? I want to appeal to those that are having a hard time figuring out what to do now. I want to inspire them to use this opportunity to make a difference with their 40 hour work week. I know that it’s on my list of things to do.
I am still debating what aspect of volunteering abroad I would like to focus on, as this will probably end up being the program I am going to actively pursue. There are several outlets for volunteers - from teaching English in Asia (which sometimes can be paid), to installing solar panels near Tibet. Options can be found in the medical field, as well as political, building schools and planting trees, and opportunities for these are all over the world. I will probably use a few examples as my basis.
Outline:
> research several organizations that support volunteering abroad.
> research three areas that need volunteers more now then in the past.
> acquire statistics for need.
> acquire statistics for unemployment levels within certain demographic (mid-twenties - thirties, single and/or no children, experience in industries that are taking significant hits due to economy, or worked in generic jobs, etct)
> interview people that have volunteer experience
> research where and how is best way to reach demographic
Pieces: I would like to include infographics, a “coffee table” book of photography and inspiring experiences, brochures with detailed information and interviews, PSA posters, and maybe a video.
