Identity, Wayfinding and Construction for an Underserved Population in Ecuador

摘要

Socially responsible design is a topic of significant interest to designers in all design disciplines. Socially responsible design manifests itself in multiple ways as designers explore how to integrate the concept into their practice. This paper is a case study about a particular manifestation of socially responsible design. It documents a collaborative effort between educators in graphic design and building science attempting to impact a poor neighborhood in Quito, Ecuador. Important elements of the project were that it accommodates a service learning class for students, that it utilizes local building methods, and that it meets a genuine need of the community. The project serves as an example of interdisciplinary collaboration finding a unique way to integrate socially responsible design into practice and as an educational tool.