Open Brief Background

If you have an issue that you are passionate about, that you believe could help change the world in a positive way you could enter it under our Open Brief. You could identify something that isn’t working for you about the world around you and look for a solution. We’re interested however big or small your ideas are. We are looking for solutions and provocations that will call people to action and can lead to genuine impact. Projects can be conceptual or have the potential to develop into real life-changing solutions. The themes you might wish to explore can be broad and varied. Past projects have included design solutions for food waste, humanitarian aid, education, water shortage, energy efficiency, inclusivity, campaigns & products against FGM, bullying, inequality, poverty, homelessness, child abuse, over-consumption, mental illness, urban living – to list just a few subject areas.

Open Brief Challenge

The Open Brief is your chance to create a project that deals with any issue you’re passionate about solving. Identify something that isn’t working in the world around you and look for a solution, however big or small. We’re looking for solutions and provocations that have the potential to provoke action and have a genuine impact. Projects can be conceptual or have the potential to develop into real life-changing solutions. Past projects have included creative solutions for food waste, humanitarian aid, education, water shortage, energy efficiency, inclusivity, bullying, inequality, poverty, homelessness, child abuse, over-consumption, mental illness, urban living and much more.

Open brief

Mental Health Background

Negative experiences happen in all of our lives: difficulties with work or finances, the breakdown of a relationship, overwhelming family responsibilities, or a significant setback for example. Mental health can affect anyone. There are many ways we can cope with mental illness: establishing and maintaining relationships, discussing our issues and taking action when possible, however there are stigmas surrounding mental health that we unfortunately need to tackle.

Mental Health Challenge

How can you use your creative skills to aid those with mental health issues? If your life or the life of those around you has been touched by mental health issues, then use these experiences as possible entry points into the brief and as a means of research to explore potential routes and solutions. The challenge really is boundless in however you want to approach it, all we ask is that the outcome is optimistic and empowering towards the audience. Let’s open up and tackle this issue head on to create some real positive change in the world. Here are some useful links to start you off: Movember Onemindinstitute Centreforglobalmentalhealth Mind.org.uk

Mental health brief

Equality Background

Equality is a human right. Both men and women are entitled to live with dignity and with freedom from want and from fear. Whether this be gender equality as a precondition for advancing development and reducing poverty: empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole communities, improving the prospects for the next generation. Or more general human rights for minorities, those under threat of being suppressed or living in fear because of who they are or what they believe.

Equality Challenge

Can you think of a way to change current behaviours and inspire people to understand the value brought by treating everyone equally? You may simply want to raise awareness, or perhaps you can think of a way to actively change human behaviour and understanding. Here are some useful links to start you off: Global Goals Rightsinfo Cause2create Creativeequals

Equality brief

Refugee Crisis Background

This brief has been set in partnership with Help Refugees The most basic requirements for refugees to regain their independence are housing, language and employment. Without housing, people become destitute; without the ability to speak the local language, it is very difficult to get a job; without employment independence is almost impossible.

Refugee Crisis Challenge

How can we creatively support the empowerment of refugees in host countries, and improve their access to opportunities? Local language: classes can be expensive and restrictive in terms of the amount that you can study, when and where. What creative solutions could help with this? Employment: refugee unemployment in the UK is 50%, and many refugees are overqualified for the jobs they take. How can we find creative ways to increase people’s chances of finding meaningful work quickly? Integration: how can we build bridges with local communities? Can you find ways to keep community at the heart of these proposals? Empowerment: Can you consider innovative ways for Help Refugees to raise more funds to allow us to do more for empowerment projects? *96p from every pound raised already goes straight to our projects on the ground.

Refugee crisis brief

Conscious Consumption Background

We can’t continue to consume and buy ‘stuff’ at our current rate without serious consequences. ‘The story of stuff’ tells us why.

Conscious Consumption Challenge

• Creating materials/products that do not cause harm to us and our environment (e.g. cradle to cradle)
• Designing new systems (Donut and sharing economies are examples of this)
• How can we educate and inform people about their choices in a fun, exciting and positive way.

Reference brands: Patagonia, Fairphones and Rubymoon