Can design help build better communities? We would certainly like to think so! Our progressive visuel house, Carbon Media Design has offered donated design services to numerous non-profit community organizations over the years. Now we have the opportunity to do it again… This time as part of a larger cooperative. Design-A-Thon 2009 is upon us! You may be asking what this is all about? It’s a straight 24 hours of non-stop, do-good design. Read on!

Design-A-Thon is an annual event developed by the GDC (Graphic Designers of Canada). The GDC starts by inviting local charities and non-profit organizations to submit proposals for design projects they feel would benefit their organization and the community at large. Design firms are then asked to offer volunteer designers, art directors, programmers and copywriters. This pool of creative talent is then divided into teams and each team is given one non-profit proposal as their project. Now here’s where it gets fun. After a little discovery work, the teams meet up at the Mount Royal College campus for 9AM on Friday May 22^nd, and are provided 24 hours to complete all of the design deliverables from the proposal. So by 9AM the following day, everyone reconvenes for the “reveal” to see what each group has accomplished.

This is a great opportunity for designers to mix-up, interact and come together to use their collective talents in helping organizations do so much good. This is our first year participating, and our team will be helping the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank develop a new brand message campaign. Needless to say, we’re pretty stoked to be involved in such a awesome event. Oh and much love to Veer & Mount Royal College for sponsoring!