Starting in 2010, I commit to giving away 10% of my time outside of regularly-billed work.

Outside of the work I would normally bill for, I am seeking projects that are meaningful and important for those who normally cannot afford design services. For those projects, I will work for free proportionally 10% of the time. For nothing. No charge. Period.

Q: In times like these, how can you afford time to work for free?

A: Because times these are tough, that’s exactly why. They may be a bit tough for me and people like me, but they are exponentially more difficult for small organizations who dedicate themselves to doing good and making a difference. They normally operate with very little resources, short on cash and with very little staff who are wearing all the hats.

I have said this before, but designers have a responsibility. If we don’t pitch in and help, we minimize our value. If we can’t bring ourselves to put aside profit margins and just do some good, we fail to make the impact we should. If we consider the value of design thinking and what it can do for others, but fail to spread it around, we only barely scratch the surface of our ability to make things better. There are many deserving recipients of our services out there, and as designers it’s our responsibility to seek them out and help. We think in ways others won’t. We have skills others don’t. “If not us, then who?” I ask.

As a designer, I have become increasingly more aware of my surroundings and have expended a great deal of energy making long lists of the kinds of projects I truly feel drawn to – where I see myself being able to directly impact the lives of others. Most of them are those for organizations who find themselves in difficult positions or with limited resources. Paradoxically (and sadly), these are also generally the organizations that people need the most. They are generally extremely important – even critical – to those they serve.

Put simply, we need these organizations to thrive, and I have committed 10% of my time to helping them do just that. And I will do it for free.

These projects will be selected carefully and the expectations are to be clearly defined from the outset.

Services Offered

Who fits the description of a candidate for this approach?

If you think your organization or project fits this description, please let me know by filling out the form below:

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