News

July 2009

Following the February jury meeting where seven finalist projects were selected, participants met with design and business experts during a three-day workshop in June to refine their projects, strengthen the focus of their presentations, and develop business plans in preparation for the final round of judging this August in Copenhagen.

March 2009

The Aspen Design Challenge jury convened in New York City February 20–21, 2009 and selected seven projects as Finalists, as well as ten projects for Honorable Mention.

December 2008

If you were unable to participate this year, check back later to find out the topic for the 2010 Challenge.

The Aspen Design Challenge is an annual call to students worldwide, inviting them to address an international problem that is not only crucial in today’s world, but critical to our survival and the world that we will one day inhabit.

The Challenge is a partnership between AIGA, the professional association for design, in the United States, and INDEX:, a nonprofit  organization that is dedicated to changing global mindsets by exploring and showing how design can improve life for people. This year's challenge, “Designing Water’s Future,” is a collaboration between Circle of Blue—the international network of leading journalists, scientists and communications designers that reports and presents the information necessary to respond to the global freshwater crisis—and COLLINS:, a communication design and innovation firm based in New York City.

July 2008

The Aspen Design Challenge is a biennial call to students worldwide, inviting them to address an international problem that is not only crucial in today’s world, but critical to our survival and the world that they will one day inherit.

The Challenge is a partnership between AIGA, the professional association for design, in the United States, and INDEX:, a nonprofit organization in Denmark that is dedicated to changing global mindsets by exploring and showing how design can improve life for people. This year’s challenge, “Designing Water’s Future,” is a collaboration with Circle of Blue—the international network of leading journalists, scientists and communications designers that reports and presents the information necessary to respond to the global freshwater crisis—and COLLINS:, a communication design and innovation firm based in New York City.

Press releases

AIGA
September 4, 2009—INDEX: | AIGA Aspen Design Challenge awards $10,000 grant
AIGA
July 22, 2009—INDEX: | AIGA Aspen Design Challenge finalists convene to refine projects with business and design experts
AIGA
March 17, 2009—Finalists selected in first annual INDEX: | AIGA Aspen Design Challenge, “Designing Water’s Future”
AIGA
December 1, 2008—Hundreds of Design Students Across Six Continents Race To Solve the Global Water Crisis
Circle of Blue
August 17, 2008— Aspen Design Challenge: Designing Water’s Future

News Clippings

Fast Company
June 29, 2009— Solutions for a Water-Deprived Planet
Yanko Design
April 29, 2009— Safe Drinking Water Even In Floods
Cumulus, International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media
March 20, 2009— Aspen Design Challenge - Designing Water's Future - Finalists announced
Design Singapore
March 20, 2009—Finalists announced for Aspen Design Challenge
Dexigner
March 18, 2009—Finalists Selected in First Annual INDEX: AIGA Aspen Design Challenge
International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda)
March 18, 2009—Inaugural Aspen Design Challenge finalists announced
Taxi Design Network
March 18, 2009—Finalists Selected In First Annual INDEX:| AIGA Aspen Design Challenge
Dwell Daily
December 4, 2008—AIGA Aspen Design Challenge
Inhabitat
August 27, 2008— INDEX: AIGA Launches “Designing Water’s Future”
WordPress.com
August 22, 2008— INDEX: AIGA Launches “Designing Water’s Future”
Artdaily.org
August 19, 2008— Students Develop Solutions to Global Water Crisis in AIGA’s First Annual Aspen Design Challenge
CSR Wire
August 19, 2008— Students to Develop Solutions to Global Crisis in First Annual “Aspen Design Challenge”
Dexigner
August 19, 2008— Aspen Design Challenge: Designing Water’s Future
International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (icsid)
August 19, 2008— Call for Student Submissions: Designing Water’s Future
TAXI Design Network
August 19, 2008— Students to Develop Solutions to Global Water Crisis in Aspen Design Challenge
Mediabistro.com / UnBeige
August 18, 2008— Inaugural Aspen Design Challenge Seeks Solutions to World’s Drinking Problem
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
July 09, 2008— Aspen Design Challenge Invites Students to Design Water’s Future