What to make a difference in your community? Curious about social impact design?

b:ask collective is proud to partner with the OpenIDEO Portland Chapter to bring the Social Impact Lab to Portland. The Social Impact Lab PDX is a 8-week design marathon focused on making a difference in a local Portland community through social impact design.

During this meetup, you’ll have the chance to review the projects featured during the fall lab and see if you might be a good fit for the project teams.

The lab launches officially on September 27th. Learn more at social-impact-lab.com.

We hope you join us on this journey of making a difference in local projects using social impact design.

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Social Impact Lab Preview + Social Impact Networking

Thursday, 9/6 @ the Lucky Lab Beer Hall (1945 NW Quimby St, Portland, OR 97209)

Informal meet and greet begins at 5:30 pm. Activities and discussion begins at 6:00 pm.

Suggested event donation of $10 will be put towards the OpenIDEO Portland Chapter to support social impact design.

During this meetup, you’ll have the chance to meet and mingle with others interested in or practicing social impact design and learn how to get involved in current opportunities in the Portland area. If you're wondering how design for social impact is coming to life across the city, come join us and learn about ways to get involved.

***ABOUT THE SOCIAL IMPACT LAB PDX***

The Social Impact Lab PDX is a 8-week design marathon focused on making a difference in a local Portland community through social impact design. Portland-area professionals are matched with local projects to design around a specific challenge; teams work closely with project sponsors to research, ideate, design, build and test solutions that meet the needs of the challenge.

Design experience is not required. We believe that everyone has the power to use thoughtful consideration to make a difference. Even if you are not a designer by trade, throughout the Social Impact Lab, you will get exposure to the methodologies of design thinking and human-centered design, which can be used as powerful tools for creative problem solving.

The Social Impact Lab PDX is designed for those who want to make a difference in their local community through the power of design. The lab is perfect for those with a background in design or curious about design thinking, passionate about social impact design, or interested in applying their professional skills to a different context outside their current day-job. Project teams will be comprised of designers, consultants, coders, developers, project managers, product owners, social services workers, or public servants of all kinds.

Learn more at social-impact-lab.com.

***ABOUT THE OPENIDEO PORTLAND CHAPTER***

The OpenIDEO Portland Chapter is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who believe that design thinking can drive social impact at a local level and around the world. We are a people-powered movement of action. And we need you.

We want to extend a special invitation for you to join us, meet the OpenIDEO Portland Chapter community and see design thinking in action.

Learn more about OpenIDEO and join the Portland Chapter

Who should attend? This is an open invitation — the more the merrier! However, the event will be of particular interest to those interested in design thinking, human-centered design practices, social impact design, or the local design challenges. No prior experience is required!

What can I expect? Chapter meetings are informal events. We alternate between networking-style meetups and workshop-style meetups. For networking, expect some light structure and moderated activities to facilitate interaction and conversation; for workshops, expect hands-on application of design thinking to the current OpenIDEO Portland Chapter design challenge.

What should I bring? Yourself and a friend!

***EVENT SPACE FAQ***

Q: Is the space ADA accessible?

A: Yes

Q: Are there gender-neutral bathrooms?

A: Yes

Q: What is the parking situation?

A: Paid street parking in this neighborhood is extremely difficult, so we encourage public transportation. If you do drive, please allow ample time to find a parking space.