Design for Good

Over the years of my work in many different fields of media I spent some time freelancing between jobs and during jobs to make some cash on the side. There is one thing that I always despised and that is people wanting someone to do work for them for free. They often call it Pro Bono work. *sigh* Pro Bono does not mean free. PERIOD. This aggregates me to no end. Now and then there are non profits that are truly pro bono but they are very difficult to find because they are so drowned out by the lazy.

Pro bono publico (for the public good) means what it says. It is work for the public good, kind of like volunteer work for a non profit. Some of the blame can be attributed to the deterioration of the English language and the meaning of words. That aside, people have decided that it is a fall back for when they can’t afford a skilled trade.

Anyone that has looked at posting for the film industried it comes in the form of “I have an idea for a film I need a full cast and crew, but I can’t pay you. It’s pro bono.” *headdesk* Is it some life altering project that will affect the world in some way? “YES, its a penniless writer…” STOP. NO.

That is what I was very happy to hear about the idea from AIGA. Design for Good at it’s core is an initiative asking it’s members (which I am one) to contribute 5% of my time to work on a TRUE pro bono publico idea. I had heard some things here and there about the idea, but now my DC chapter is organizing to become a stronger part of this. It’s one of those types of moments that make me proud to be a member.

Since I graduated college, I have fallen off on my donating of time. At some points I think I was donating my time as much as 5-10 hours a week. I feel like I have let myself down in this aspect of the past few years, but it is something that I can definitely change.

It doesn’t hurt to also be a part of two other great nationally recognized organizations in college, especially Alpha Phi Omega. I feel like they got me through college and contributed to the person I am today. I also can link many of my best friends to A Phi O. It seemed a good transition from Mount Saint Joseph High School where I, in many ways became the man I am today.

I see Design for Good as the next step in my philanthropy. I may not be Bill Gates, but look at it this way, I am giving more (in percentage of wealth) then him. This is my “I want to change the world” moment. I am lucky enough to have a full time job where I already have some of that feeling but I think I have settled in enough to raise the bar.

Here is an interview with the ED of AIGA about the project (among other things) and a link if you are interested in more information