The Project M Lab

Part 2 of the report from Project M’s work in Greensboro, Alabama

Project M 2008 was to set to officially end on July 1st. Nine young designers, a couple dozen or so advisors, and John Bielenberg all headed to Greensboro, Alabama to explore ways design could be used for social good. After spending a month fully immersing themselves in the town, culture, community, and heat, the team packed up and headed back to their daily lives. Well, sort of.

You see, the 2008 M’ers took a slightly different approach than in past years. They didn’t key in on a specific problem or challenge to solve. They won’t be walking away with a neatly printed book or artifact. Their journey revealed a different challenge that required a different solution. As I stated in my earlier post, these young designers seemed to understand that the solution was not about them or even design, but about the needs of the community. So, they looked to the people of Greensboro to guide them. (more…)

By Mike Weikert

Sipping coffee in the Birmingham Airport, I reflect on the past thirty-six hours in Alabama and my third time as an advisor to Project M. For those not familiar, Project M is an initiative founded by John Bielenberg whose purpose is to “inspire graphic designers, writers, photographers and other creative people that their work can have a positive and significant impact on the world.” Project M 2006 was in Baltimore, Maryland working with the community of East Baltimore, and 2007 in Hale County, Alabama working with the residents of Greensboro. (more…)