There\u2019s a new (to me) trend of companies that are making\u00a0extremely well designed products that are inexpensive and are\u00a0selling really well here in the US, but that are also created to help\u00a0impoverished people solve\u00a0major problems.<\/p>\n
Awhile back I read a design manifesto about this, one that I wish I could find again online but I’ve searched everywhere and can\u2019t find it. The gist of it, as I recall, is that design for charitable purposes often suffers because the designer is focusing too heavily on making a product that will solve the basic need (food, water, education, etc.) but is not designing for elegance or any of the things the market in a developed country would want from a product.\u00a0These designs often fail because, while they accomplish the task at a superficial level, they are often deficient in\u00a0important factors\u00a0like usability, durability or practical considerations.<\/p>\n
Here are three companies that seem to be doing a great job at addressing the needs and wants of both\u00a0audiences.<\/p>\n
Their products are marketable in developed countries, but are inexpensive enough to mass-distribute in places where people are unable to purchase them. I\u2019d love to know\u00a0more about this business model and\u00a0about similar companies. If you\u2019re familiar with these types of companies, please comment!<\/p>\n
Biolite<\/a>\u00a0– They make stoves powered by twigs\u00a0or small, burnable item. You can cook over them but the cool thing is that\u00a0they also charge a battery that can be used to power small electronics. I\u2019ve used mine\u00a0several times and it works very well.<\/p>\n