ABOUT US
At DFA, our mission is not only to give people the opportunity to explore design thinking and human-centered design, but also to tackle the social challenges they encounter on campus and beyond. We believe in turning empathy into action to innovate in a way that will actually benefit the community.
Design for America (DFA) is a nationally recognized organization that equips university students in the practice of human-centered design for social good. Our curriculum teaches a popular problem-solving framework called design thinking. By taking on a year-long project, students learn to empathize with stakeholders, identify problems, and prototype solutions to social-related issues.
WHAT WE DO
We tackle social problems through design thinking! Guided by the human-centered design process, teams consisting of 4-6 people develop a project over the course of a school year. Final results range from pop-up exhibits, to organic pots, to zines.
PAST PROJECTS →
COMMUNITY + PARTNERS
DFA emphasizes making an impact in the local community. RISD | Brown DFA has partnered with Providence schools, stores, and businesses to create tangible change. RISD | Brown DFA has partnered with CVS, Unilever, and Around the World in 80 Fabrics among other multinational organizations to create far-reaching impact.
The RISD | Brown DFA studio has around 30 members annually from Brown University and RISD. They include prospective Industrial Designers, Architects, Artists, Engineers, Entrepreneurs, Graphic Designers, Computer Scientists, Scientists, and many others. RISD | Brown DFA aims to be a home for anyone interested in designing for social good. Both Undergraduates and Graduates are welcome!
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