Last Month in August I had the opportunity to attend a design intensive as a part of my course at QUT. In groups we worked in collaboration with selected partners to 'Design for Good', creating a design solution for a given brief over 2 and a half days.
My group (which included Kasia Penton, Josh Kazukaitis Svensson, Nicholas Byrom, and Maneli Molavi) worked with A Brave Life - a not-for-profit working to help and provide for teen mums.
The brief given was "How do we inspire teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds to Dream Big whilst living a brave life?"
Our solution was a care package aimed to help remote teen mums get connected and not feel as isolated.
The Mum's would receive:
- A Journal made in collaboration with The Happiness Planner which includes inspirational stories from other teen mums.
- A letter from a another teen mum opening up an opportunity for a pen-pal and a contact with someone with similar experiences.
- A custom writing set including envelopes, paper and themed pen as well as stamps, providing everything needed to reply to the pen-pal letter.
- A themed scarf to bring a bit of personal joy for the mother.
- The Box can also be changed to become a desk organiser to hold the items.
Finished Design Solution: The "Dream Box". Sent out to remote teen mums around the country.
The experience over the 2 and a half days was intense but rewarding. Working with other design disciplines was a new and interesting challenge as we all approached the brief in different ways. It was amazing to hear all the other groups design solutions and to know the work done over the intensive will help others in need.
