Growing weary of MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn? Like many of us who have been using social networking sites for years, stressing out over "About Me" sections and keeping top friend lists up-to-date seems a bit trivial once you've reached a certain age—not that it stops us. But wouldn't it be nice to have an online network with a little substance... a little heart?

Enter Design21sdn.com, a social design network providing a platform for designers to share socially progressive ideas. Their mission: "To inspire social activism through design. We connect people who want to explore ways design can positively impact our many worlds, and who want to create change here, now." In partnership with UNESCO, the open forum allows for individual designers, non-profits groups, large corporations, and anyone with a cause to share new concepts. Browse through blogs, message boards, featured profiles, open design calls, and competitions to get your design juices flowing.

No one can doubt the severity of the world issues right now, including climate change, poverty, and international peace. By breaking the barriers of communication, Design 21 hopes to change each step in the design process so that it ripples out into our communities and beyond. "These choices are the result of informed ideas, greater awareness, larger conversations and, most importantly, the desire to do good," they explain.

The network draws support from the sales of its exclusive ring, the Allumonde, which means "light the world." Designed by international superstar Richard Hutten, the ring ranges in materials from acrylic to titanium to 18k gold and in prices from $25 to $2,500. Twenty-one percent of the proceeds go directly to Design 21, 19 percent benefits the non-profit of your choice, and 2 percent helps to fund UNESCO D.R.E.A.M. Centers, which provide children in post-conflict regions of the world with the opportunity to express themselves through art, reading, dance and music.

Using design to make a difference. Sounds a little more interesting than stalking your freshmen year roommate, right?

- Susan Waits

Similar Topics:design, social network

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