Project One: Lyndsay Ediger

WellDone Fundraiser

Inspired by: WellDone

Before this assignment I thought about myself as a designer, who makes things. This assignment really pushed me to reconsider the importance of the design process, and I learned the final result is not always the most important outcome. The project really changed the way I view Design as a whole, and forced me to reevaluate my role in it. 

It all started with an idea, and followed with a plan. I wanted to raise money for a non-profit organization, while also creating awareness about the global water crisis. I contacted the people at WellDone, and learned more about what they do. It was a very empowering interaction, because the organization started from a small group of friends that wanted to make a difference. Reaching out and making connections with WellDone was valuable because it is practice for the professional world, where connections are extremely important. 

In the beginning I planned to have a number of people (myself included) carry donation jars with them for a few days. I thought it would be an effective way to start conversations about what WellDone is doing, and would help with raising money to support them. I asked my boyfriend and my sister if they would do this, and was shocked when they both said no. I was crushed, and it was difficult for me not to take it personally. It was a challenging obstacle to overcome, especially because I didn’t anticipate that two of the closest people to me weren’t willing to participate in the process of the assignment. I thought about giving up, and doing something entirely different, but I kept thinking about the people in other countries who don’t have clean water to drink. It seemed like the least I could do to stick with the fundraiser idea. 

At this point, I decided to redesign the project so that it was less dependent on people carrying jars. (Although I was grateful that my instructor Nicole, and classmate Paige were willing to do this.) I decided to ask people if they would like to buy a button, and that the proceeds would go to WellDone. This allowed me to start conversations with people about my project, but also raised awareness about the water crisis. I noticed that people were more than happy to get rid of change in their wallets, after I explained what I was raising money for.

I work for a company called Lush Cosmetics, and was blown away by the response from the people I work with. Almost all of them were able to contribute to the fundraiser. One of my coworker’s, Jaqi emptied out her change into the jar, filling it up almost 2/3. She said she normally puts her change in her kids piggy banks, but that there was enough money in there already. When I told Buck, my manager about my project he told me that he might be able to send me to California to work with them for a day, and that Lush would pay the bill. It was something that he had planned to do in the future, but hadn’t found an organization that really jumped out at him. I am not sure when this will happen, but just seeing the possibilities of what is possible made the initial frustration seem miniscule in comparison.

The process was eye opening for me, especially when I consider what can make happen when I set a plan in motion. I didn’t realize when starting this project that the money I raised wouldn’t be the most important outcome, even though it is going to an amazing organization. Now I truly understand what it means when we talk about the process being the product.

I cannot express how grateful I am to be surrounded by such amazing people. I didn’t expect that I would get so much in return from this assignment. I am now reconsidering what type of job I want after college. Before taking this class I always pictured myself getting a job in an ad firm, or some sort of commercial company. I don’t think I would have considered working for a nonprofit organization, and now looking back I cannot imagine wanting to do anything else.