RESOURCES
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Find the free online version of this list here: www.ALRdesign.com/resources.
BLOGS
Design Altruism Project
A high-level discussion about socially conscious design that often acts as a counterpoint to writings, opinions and talks by well-known figures in the design community.
http://design-altruism-project.org
The Groundswell Blog
The companion site to the Groundswell Collective, which focuses on the relationship of art and society, specifically highlighting artists working for social change.
http://groundswellcollective.com
Osocio
An amazing and continually growing online collection of social marketing campaigns from across the globe. Get inspired, find out which design approaches work or just discover new issues to care about.
http://osocio.org
rebel:art
A constant stream of posts about street art, culture jamming and all sorts of other new activist art. Even though Alain Bieberâs site is in German, itâs well worth a visit by English speakers since itâs pure eye candy and most of its links take you to sites with English explanations, if you need to know more.
www.rebelart.net/diary
Social Design Notes
The grandfather of socially conscious design blogs. Spend a Friday afternoon sifting through the archives for hundreds of inspiring posts.
http://backspace.com/notes
Spare Change: Making a Difference With Social Marketing
No, itâs not another take on social media marketing. Instead, itâs an ongoing discussion of the best marketing techniques for social causes and issues.
http://blog.social-marketing.com
BOOKS
Ad Nauseam: A Survivorâs Guide to American Consumer Culture (Faber & Faber)
by Carrie McLaren and Jason Torchinsky
A smart and consistently funny critique of consumer culture from the creators of the fantastic and sadly defunct Stay Free! Magazine. The book collects articles from the magazine as well as new pieces from both cultural critics and comedians.
The Age of Persuasion (Counterpoint)
by Terry OâReilly and Mike Tennant
Itâs rare to find a book about advertising that both critiques the field while still showing a great deal of love for it at the same time. Through the authorsâ research and anecdotes from years of working in the business, they paint an insightful and nuanced history of the industry of persuasion.
The Big Book of Green Design (Harper Design)
by Suzanna MW Stephens and Anthony B. Stephens
More of a coffee table book than a reference manual, but with an intro by Re-Nourish founder Eric Benson, hundreds of visual examples and several detailed case studies, itâs an inspiring resource for anyone interested in the environmental direction businesses big and small are taking.
Branding For Nonprofits (Allworth Press)
by DK Holland
Filled with plenty of real-world examples and resources, this book should be required reading for any nonprofit interested in harnessing the power of branding (which should really be all of them) and the designers who want to work with them.
Conscientious Objectives: Designing for an Ethical Message (RotoVision)
by John Cranmer and Yolanda Zappaterra
A great set of detailed case studies on how designers have worked to further social causes with their design skills. Includes an introduction to the history of design activism by Steven Heller.
Cradle to Cradle (North Point Press)
by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
Cringe every time you toss something in the trash? Read this book for radical ideas about overhauling the life cycle of everyday products, with waste feeding back into production.
Culture Jam (Harper Paperbacks)
by Kalle Lasn
The founder ...