Premier Graphics
& Animation
Work with us
Menu
Studio
OverviewServicesCapabilitiesThe Collection
Institute
OverviewProgrammesCourse libraryHow we teachCareersGuidesFor universities
Journal About Contact Work with us
Media & Strategy · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Design for Nonprofits & Social Impact

This service-learning course focuses on using design as a tool for positive social change. Students will partner with NGOs, charities, or community groups to solve real-world communication challenges. The curriculum emphasizes empathy, cultural sensitivity, and resourcefulness, teaching students how to create high-impact campaigns with limited budgets and drive behavioral change through visual storytelling.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Apply Human-Centered Design (HCD) methods to social issues
  2. Analyze the ethical implications of design in humanitarian contexts
  3. Create low-cost, high-reach communication strategies for NGOs
  4. Master visual storytelling to evoke empathy and drive fundraising
  5. Develop culturally relevant visual languages for diverse communities
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Introduction to Social Design & Ethics
  2. 02The NGO Landscape & Stakeholder Mapping
  3. 03Empathy Research & Community Engagement
  4. 04Defining the "Call to Action"
  5. 05Visual Storytelling for Advocacy
  6. 06Budgeting & Resourcefulness in Design
  7. 07Cultural Sensitivity & Visual Semiotics
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Campaign Strategy: Awareness vs. Action
  10. 10Fundraising Design: Donors & Grants
  11. 11Designing for Low-Literacy Audiences
  12. 12Information Design for Public Health
  13. 13Sustainable Printing & Eco-Design
  14. 14Digital Activism & Social Media
  15. 15Measuring Impact: Metrics for Success
  16. 16Final Project: NGO Campaign Launch

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: NGO Campaign Launch

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Design for the Real World by Victor Papanek
  2. Just Design: Socially Conscious Design for Critical Causes by Christopher Simmons
  3. Change by Design by Tim Brown
  4. The Fortress of Solitude (Case Studies in Social Design) - Industry Papers
  5. Designing for Social Change: Strategies for Community-Based Graphic Design by Andrew Shea
More in Media & Strategy
Advanced Brand Identity DesignThis master-level course transcends static logo design to explore dynamic, fluid, and multi-sensory brand systems.
Advanced Media Concepts-1This course develops advanced creative thinking skills for digital and print advertising. Students learn how to generate strong conceptual ideas, translate insights into visual communication, and develop cohesive brand messaging across multiple executions.
Advanced Media Concepts-2This course focuses on creating impactful video ads by applying creativity, storytelling, and strategic thinking.
Advertising & Campaign DesignThis studio-intensive course focuses on the visual execution of integrated advertising campaigns. While strategy is discussed, the primary focus is on Art Direction—how to visually translate a "Big Idea" across multiple media channels.
Advertising DesignsThis course focuses on the creative and strategic role of design in advertising. Students explore how design elements, color psychology, typography, and copywriting work together to communicate brand messages across print, electronic, outdoor, and digital media.
AdvertisingAdvertising is the intersection of art and commerce. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the advertising industry, from the "Big Idea" to the final media buy.