Design for Social Impact
Learn to create designs that empower in 8 weeks
Spring 2021 Dates (Remote Online)
DSI 001: February 27 - April 24, 2021
Time: Every Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm EST
Tuition: $1,600
Online Platform: Webex
Register before 4pm on February 23.
FIT’s Design for Social Impact certificate program introduces the process of Socratic inquiry, systems-based design thinking, and solutions-based design making. Through lectures, discussions, exercises, and creative challenges, this program enables designers to recognize and embrace the power they hold to create designs that empower those who are underserved, voiceless, and marginalized in society.
Inclusive Design Manifesto
- Design is a Tool to Serve the Underserved
- Design is a Voice for the Underheard
- Design is a Platform for Celebrating Diversity
- Design is a Catalyst for Positive Social Changes
- Design is a Process to Innovate and Create with People
This program is a Synchronous and Collaborative Remote Experiential Learning™ (SCREL™) Certificate Program. Unlike traditional distance and online learning models, SCREL enables real-time interactions between faculty, industry professionals. In addition, our intimate maximum class size of 15 students will enable in-depth discussions and exchange of ideas to maximize your learning experience and results.
Technology Requirements: High-speed internet connection; a design-grade laptop or desktop computer that is capable of running the latest browser and streaming media; and built-in or external webcam and speakers.
What You Will Learn
- Design as a problem-solving tool
- How to write design manifestos
- Strategies to redesign more sustainable products
- Sonic Design for inclusivity and accessibility
- Pivoting Brands for inclusiveness and transparency
- Examples of accessibility technologies
- Introduction to social entrepreneurship
- How to draft social enterprise business plan
- Marketing toolkits and tips
Meet Our Faculty
Audrey Arbeeny
Owner and Executive Producer, Audiobrain
As Owner and Emmy™ Award-Winning Executive Producer/ Creative Director for Audiobrain,
a globally recognized sonic branding boutique dedicated to the intentional development
of music and sound. With over 20 years of experience, she is recognized throughout
the world as a pioneer in sonic branding. Audiobrain has consistently stayed leaders
in this field through innovation, research, education, advanced technological skills,
and forward- thinking initiatives for some of the world’s largest brands.
Christie Shin
Partner & Design Director, Cynda Media Lab; and Faculty and Coordinator, Creative
Technology & Design, FIT
Christie Shin has more than 25 years of professional experience as an educator, creative
consultant, and design director specializing in branding, typography, UX/UI design,
and product design. Shin is one of the most award-winning designers receiving over
30 international design awards since 2012. Currently, Shin is an associate professor
at FIT, where she was awarded the 2017 FIT Faculty Excellence Award.
C.J. Yeh
Founder / Creative Director, Cynda Media Lab; and Curriculum Chair, Creative Technology
& Design, FIT
C.J. Yeh is a world-renowned expert in branding and experience design. Yeh has published
eight books to date, several of which have been adopted by universities in Taiwan
as textbooks. His work has been exhibited at some of the most famous museums in the
world including MAXXI Museum (Rome), the Museum of Contemporary Art (Taipei), and
New Museum (New York). Yeh has won multiple teaching awards including the FIT President’s
Award for Faculty Excellence, the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching,
and the Adobe Educators’ Choice Awards.
Ken Tanabe
Founder, Loving Day
Ken Tanabe is the founder of Loving Day, the world’s largest network of multiethnic
community celebrations. It’s named after Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court decision
that declared all laws against interracial marriage to be unconstitutional. Loving
Day has been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives, the Anti-Defamation
League, and cities nationwide including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.
The #lovingday hashtag has trended #3 on Twitter and has been featured extensively
in the press, including CNN, NPR, BBC World, and many others. Loving Day's mission
is to fight racial prejudice through education and to build a multicultural community.
Sass Brown
Writer, researcher, educator, and activist in ethical fashion
Previously the Founding Dean of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, Sass
Brown is currently on sabbatical completing her PhD on global artisanship and models
of sustainable development. Prior to joining D.I.D.I., Sass was the Interim Dean for
the Fashion Institute of Technology’s School of Art and Design in New York. She currently
teaches for Manchester Metropolitan University and online for London Collage of Fashion.
Brown was an Associate Design Researcher on the Textile Toolbox, part of the MISTRA
Future Fashion consortium and an advisor for Sustainia100. As a writer, educator and
activist, she has published papers and spoken around the world as well as served as
a sustainable design advisors to women’s cooperatives, educational institutions, governmental
agencies, NGO’s and SME’s. Her publications include the books Eco Fashion and ReFashioned
for British publishers Laurence King, and her now archived EcoFashionTalk website.
Sixcia Devine
CEO & Founder, Caritas Smile; and CEO, Sixcia Business Development, LLC
Sixcia is an author, educator, and speaker on digital marketing, cause-related marketing,
social entrepreneurship, and innovative business planning. She is the founder and
CEO of Caritas Smile and CEO of Sixcia Business Development, LLC. She is a professional
bilingual trainer and educator for the Grow with Google partner program. As an international
and sought-after speaker, she helps businesses and organizations use technology to
connect with communities and clients within growth markets. Sixcia is the author of
Tapping Into The Hispanic Market: Connect. Engage. Innovate. She writes feature stories
for magazines like Cosmo Latina, speaks at universities, business centers, chambers,
and non-profit organizations. She is also CEO of Caritas Smile, a transformative volunteer
program dedicated to helping women and children in need.
Estela Lugo
Disability Advocate & Program Developer, Speaker & Podcaster
Estela is a proud FIT alumnus (2002, Interior Design) turned full-time disability
advocate with the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. With over 18 years of experience
in interior & product design, marketing, trend forecasting, and creative direction,
she brings a personal and unexpected approach to connecting the disability community
to wellness, empowerment, and inclusive design.
As co-host of the EmBrace It Podcast, she aims to empower women living with disabilities.
Estela and co-host, Lainie Isbia, travel the country hosting their original workshop,
“How to Communicate with Anyone When You Have a Disability”, at events and companies
such as Pinterest, Lockheed Martin, The Abilities Expos, and Health Union.
In 2019, Estela gave a TEDx talk titled, “RePurpose Your Pain” on the art of turning
adversity into life’s most beautiful work. She works closely with the Runway of Dreams
Foundation and top corporate brands to bring adaptive clothing to mainstream consumers
through representation & consulting.
Hana Getachew
Designer, Bolé Road Textiles
New York based designer Hana Getachew started Bolé Road Textiles out of a desire to
merge her love of Ethiopian handwoven fabrics with her career in interior design.
During her eleven years at a major New York City architecture firm Hana realized her
affinity for vibrant colors and graphic patterns was a direct result of her upbringing
in a home filled with amazing traditional Ethiopian textiles. Her designs for Bolé
Road are an homage to that cultural inheritance and a reflection of her own personal
global modern aesthetic.
Hana was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After a few years in Montreal, her family
settled in New York. A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in interior design,
Hana was formerly Associate Principal at Studios Architecture in New York City. During
her time there she helped design the flagships and headquarters of some of the city’s
most prominent companies.
Why FIT?
- Program is taught by top industry experts
- Earn certification from a world-renowned college
- Learn cutting-edge design skills that are in high demand
- Prepare a high-quality design portfolio
- Curriculum designed by award winning faculty from FIT's Creative Technology & Design subject area
- The hands-on workshop provides immersive learning experience
Synchronous and Collaborative Remote Experiential Learning
FIT’s SCREL programs were developed by award-winning faculty members from FIT’s Creative Technology & Design (CT&D) subject area and Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS). It provides a hands-on learning experience that simulates the workflow of online collaboration and global teamwork, which is becoming a standard in the contemporary creative industry.
Synchronous: Real-time remote lectures, demonstrations, and discussions for instant feedback and dynamic exchange of ideas.
Collaborative: Adaptation of industry-standard tools that enable real-time online collaboration and teamwork.
Experiential: Hands-on experiential and project-based learning in which students actively explore real-world problems and challenges and acquire a deeper understanding of the subject.
Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS)
FIT's CCPS offers credit and non-credit courses in fashion, business, design, computer technology, and marketing, as well as a range of certificate programs to help you enter and advance in the fashion and related industries. With short seminars, multi-session courses, and flexible schedules, you can learn at a time and pace you can manage and afford.
Creative Technology & Design (CT&D)
The CT&D program area was founded with a mission to elevate students’ understanding of advanced design concepts as well as their command of cutting-edge technology, CT&D at FIT provides a flexible curriculum and an empowering transdisciplinary learning environment. Our pedagogical goal is to nurture the next generation of creative technologists who will design digital products, platforms, and creative solutions that improve people’s lives.
CT&D Advisory Board
C.J. Yeh, Founder and Managing Partner, Cynda Media Lab
Christie Shin, Partner and Design Director, Cynda Media Lab
Paul Kim, Vice President of Strategy, North America HQ at Samsung Electronics
Allison Ceraso, President and Chief Experience Officer, Havas Health Plus
Marcin Ramocki, Chairman, MFA in Media Arts, New Jersey City University
Akiko Rokube, Creative Director, PwC Experience Center
Jennifer Bruno, Director of Product, Fusion Media Group
Ben Morejon, Creative Director, Anomaly