CoDesign Collaborative
Design Museum Everywhere is now CoDesign Collaborative!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey. After more than a year of thoughtful deliberation and strategic planning, we have transitioned from Design Museum Everywhere to CoDesign Collaborative. This transformation signifies a pivotal moment in our evolution, aligning with our progressive mission and the values that underpin our work.
This month, we will celebrate our 15th anniversary as a nonprofit. Since our inception, we have been committed to harnessing the power of design to inspire social change. Our roots in Boston have grown into a vibrant remote-first organization with core communities in Portland, OR, San Francisco, New York City, and beyond. As we have expanded our reach and impact, it has become clear that our name should better represent our inclusive, collaborative spirit, and our dedication to community-centered approaches.
I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:
- Our Board, led by our visionary Board Chair, George White: For helping us live up to the promise of our mission through creativity, support, and passion;
- Our Advisory Council: For ensuring our work is relevant and centered in perspectives that matter most;
- Mike Mooney and Meant: For leading us through a rebranding process that was thoughtful, inclusive, and fun;
- Proportion Design: For designing a visual identity that is purposeful, welcoming, and beautiful;
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Stephen Harman and Cardwell Beach: For building a website that dynamically tells our story;
- Any many others: Including our dedicated staff and members of our Branding Working Groups (Sarah Ho, Liana Mestas, Leila Mitchell, Kate Murphy, Jennifer Rittner, Larry Rodgers, Scott Stropkay, and Tracy Swyst).
And finally, many thanks to the Design Museum Everywhere – now CoDesign Collaborative – community. Design is everywhere, and with you, we will continue to use design as a force for meaningful change in our communities and beyond.
An excited and heartfelt thanks,
Maria Villafranca
Executive Director
FAQs
Why the change?
- Purposeful Progression: Our new name, CoDesign Collaborative, encapsulates our belief in the transformative power of design. It speaks to our mission to engage diverse perspectives and foster creativity that can drive meaningful change.
- Welcoming Community: We are a BIPOC and female-led organization that strives to create open and joyful spaces where everyone feels valued. We embrace disability justice and are committed to improving the diversity of the design field.
- Cultivating Curiosity: We are passionate about education and discovery. Whether through exhibitions, publications, or interactive programs, we aim to illuminate the world of design and inspire learners of all ages to see how they can contribute to improving it.
What's changing?
While our name and visual identity are evolving, our core mission to inspire social change through the transformative power of design remains the same. We will continue to:
- Introduce the Public to the Power of Design: Showcasing how design shapes our world and empowering individuals to contribute to its improvement.
- Foster Community: Building a large, diverse network of designers and creative problem solvers motivated by social change.
- Diversify the Field: Creating opportunities for women, BIPOC, queer, and disabled people within the design profession.
- Tell Stories: Highlighting projects and individuals who embody designing for a better world.
- Facilitate Connections: Engaging stakeholders and volunteers in collaborative efforts to drive our shared impact vision.
Can non-designers still participate in CoDesign Collaborative?
Absolutely, and in fact, much of our community consists of educators, activists, and creative professionals who are not “designers,” in the traditional sense. At the same time, we believe strongly that design is everywhere, we strive to motivate everyone to consider their role in designing for a better tomorrow.
What about Design Museum Magazine?
The Magazine will continue to showcase innovative stories from the field around design impact. It will continue to be published both in print and online, but with a new name, Unfold, which is a direct reference to the origami inspiration of our new logo and a nod to the beauty of printed matter.
Are my donations still tax-deductible?
Yes! CoDesign Collaborative is a registered DBA name under our legal entity, Design Museum Foundation. Our EIN number (27-0816164) remains the same, and we can accept tax-deductible donations under either name.
Looking Ahead
As we transition to CoDesign Collaborative, you will see changes across our programs and communications. Our magazine, events, and initiatives will proudly carry our new name, underscoring our commitment to co-creation and collaboration.
Video Description:
Soft, upbeat instrumental music plays throughout the video. It begins with the Design Museum Everywhere logo, which gradually falls off the screen. The text “We believe that design” then appears on a flat black background, followed by the word “design” multiplying and expanding in various colors, filling the screen. This transitions to the phrase “Has the Power to” in black text on a purple background.Next, the words “Advance Conversations” appear in white on a black background, multiplying as a groups of people slide into view. The text “Reveal New Ideas” is then revealed by moving color squares, followed by an image of children working on a design project, also revealed by moving color squares. The message “Foster diverse communities” appears, leading into the word “communities” multiplying in various colors. As the video progresses, various colored bars appear alongside images of individuals looking directly at the camera. Finally, the logo “CoDesign Collaborative” is displayed, which is then replaced by the tagline “A Creative Lens for Change.”
