Designing for the base of the pyramid
Design for the Base of the Pyramid is an initiative by the IIT Institute of Design “to develop human-centered design strategies and concepts for new products, services and businesses capable of generating sustainable economic improvement in the lives of people living in the vast base of the global economic pyramid.”
By taking the time to research and understand the social interaction, economic activity and physical conditions of the areas they aimed to serve, the DOBP teams were able to identify preexisting enterprises, and opportunities to help local businesses innovate. They developed a concept system that ties together services, skill training, and digital networking for exchange of goods and access to resources, working “together to improve not only living conditions, but the health and sustainability of local economies.”
(via WorldChanging)