In times of crisis, design enables collective action to make the greatest impact.
Design today
Designers have always been at the forefront of addressing the needs of the world, responding to an existing situation and defining a solution that benefits society.
Designers are needed now more than ever. Whether by creating useful products, enhancing experiences, or improving service delivery, designers are trained to bring a human-centered approach to solutions that address ever changing needs.
Today, the entire planet is focused on solving the unprecedented challenges brought by the Coronavirus pandemic. From addressing immediate needs of minimizing virus transmission to the long-term of helping communities rebuild after the pandemic, the broad range of skills in designers—conducting research, brainstorming ideas, building and testing prototypes, and crafting compelling messaging—will be instrumental in overcoming COVID-19.
About the design challenge
The COVID-19 Design Challenge is a global initiative to mobilize the world’s design communities to focus on this battle. Spearheaded by the World Design Organization (WDO), IBM Design, and Design for America (DFA), this effort has brought over 225 designers together from 33 countries to address some of the most urgent and important challenges posed by the Coronavirus.
Explore the 5 project initiatives below to see how you can make a difference.
All solutions are open sourced, available for use by anyone to help fight COVID-19. Take a look at the outcomes, spread the message, bring ideas back to your own teams.
Campaigns
Awareness & Communications
Safe and accurate communications have been designed to inform and personally motivate people to socially distance and practice effective hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign assets below are freely available for anyone to download and use across social media and other digital platforms.
Essential Workers
Essential workers are in dire circumstances without the time, resources, nor protection to meet urgent needs. Concepts and solutions in this page offer safety measures, foster wellbeing, and simplify key processes, enabling our frontline workers to carry out their duty safely and securely.
Vulnerable Communities
With new restrictions resulting from the novel Coronavirus, certain populations face greater risks, such as having compromised immune systems, being in isolation, or living with violent family members. These concepts protect people in our global community who have higher safety risks.
Remote Learning
Effective online education is critical for our youth while sheltering-in-place remains the safest mode of operation. Featured concepts imagine environments that foster safety and curiosity for optimal remote learning experiences.
Healthy Habits
While the global pandemic has forced new policies into action to preserve the physical health of our communities, building new routines from scratch is a difficult feat for anyone. These concepts imagine ways to integrate fresh practices into our daily flow, promoting health and wellness through our transition to a new normal.
The COVID-19 Design Challenge is a global initiative to mobilize the world’s design communities to focus on this battle. Spearheaded by the World Design Organization (WDO), IBM Design, and Design for America (DFA), this effort has brought over 225 designers together from 33 countries to address some of the most urgent and important challenges posed by the Coronavirus.