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Areaware: Designing Small for Big Impact

Areaware: Designing Small for Big Impact

SU20 Parsons Web Reno Industry Engagement Areaware Prism Magnifier_D. Martinez.jpg

PARTNER: Areaware, a New York-based design object and home goods company

GOAL: To develop small-scale affordable gift items that fit within Areaware’s accessory line and could be brought to market

APPROACH: Students worked directly with Areaware staff to design, prototype, and package their objects, taking their ideas from concept stage to point-of-sale display

FORMAT: Sponsored course

OUTCOME: This collaboration with Areaware provided an opportunity for students to understand the real-world constraints of producing a retail item for under $30. Besides designing an affordable gift item with instant appeal, students had to conceptually link their objects with a charity of their choosing, giving distinct direction to their design work.  

Three winning designs were included for sale in Areaware’s collection and were sold at retail outlets nationally, including the MoMA Design Store. A percentage of the proceeds from the items were donated to the charities connected with the objects. Prism, a magnifier designed by Daniel Martinez, is sold by the company to this day, enabling Martinez to donate significantly to the Wikimedia Foundation.

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