Design for the Other 90%

In 2007, the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, developed "Design for the Other 90%," an exhibition highlighting the growing trend among designers to create affordable and socially responsible objects for the vast majority of the world's population - 90 percent - not traditionally serviced by professional designers. Organized by exhibition curator Cynthia E. Smith, along with an eight-member advisory council, the exhibition includes sections focusing on water, shelter, health and sanitation, education, energy and transportation, and highlights objects developed to empower global populations surviving under the poverty level or recovering from a natural disaster.

• In his assessment of "Design for the Other 90%," BusinessWeek journalist Dan Macsai called it "a thought-provoking exhibition." To read his article, visit: Design for the Real Mass Market
• The New York Times featured a piece by journalist Donald G. McNeil Jr., in which he notes that the designers who spoke at the exhibition opening spur the idea of charity to help people meet their needs – they focus on finding ways for the poor to make money. Visit Design That Solves Problems for the World’s Poor for the article, photos and video footage.
• The Wall Street Journal Online featured a Q&A by journalist Annelena Lobb with Martin Fisher of KickStart and Paul Polak of International Development Enterprises. Visit How Innovative Devices Can Boost Poorest Farmers, Entrepreneurs for the interview and a slideshow from the exhibition.

To learn more about the exhibition, sponsored by the Lemelson Foundation and others, visit Design for the Other 90%. (Note: "Design for the Other 90%" was on display at the Cooper-Hewitt from May - September, 2007. It will travel to Minnesota's Walker Art Center, where it will be on display from May – September, 2008.)

The Foundation also provided funding for the 2007 teachers’ Summer Design Institute at Cooper-Hewitt, and classroom support to promote technology design appropriate to poor people and emergency relief needs.