Week 4

This week's topic was all about design thinking and how that relates to social innovation. I have been learning a lot about design since I started working at Soapbox, the student run advertising agency on campus. When I consider how design and social innovation pair together I think of so many things! I think they go together so well. We watch inspiring videos about specific causes in class--that is design thinking. We fund raise by creating flyers, posters, brochures, etc.--that is design thinking. Without advertising, how will anyone know what your cause is? So many people are in the dark about so many different issues that plague the world today. We need designers, we need the creative people to guide and reveal what is new--what is happening. Then there are a majority of people who are afraid  of what is out there. We need design platforms that show them on a different level, to have hope. We need to get as many people as we can involved in these good causes. The only way we are going to do that is if we can spread the word in a way that reaches them on an emotional level. That is why design thinking is so essential as we move the social innovation field forward.

Respond to the challenge referred to in class, How can you improve learning and education opportunities to refugees? Remember what we have learned so far, Root Cause Analysis, Five whys?, and the steps to design thinking. 

We had a lot of ideas that were bounced around in class, and by the end of class, I really had no idea what the root cause of this issue would be. In my eyes, I think that one of the root causes for the refugees is sustainable living. I know my group brought that up in class. Essentially, as a refugee, you are without a home. In order to get an education, you need a place where you can feel comfortable. Where you have a place to rest, food to eat, room to study. Without these essentials, it will be much more difficult to focus, to get work done, and to have the  energy to take on everyday tasks. I think if the refugee camps had an affordable housing program, that transitioned you from the camp into a humble, comfortable home, you would have less worry over the basics and more of the ability to get an education. I know that the sustainability living argument could spin off into a number of other root problems these refugees have, but this is just one example of what could be done to further education.