Sponsors

Sponsor a project

Take the first step!

To have a project considered for the class, please download the Design it Forward Project Brief Template in the format of your choice, and fill it with your content. Email the completed brief to Tsailu Lu, Professor and Department Head of Graphic Design + Industrial Design at tsailu_liu@ncsu.edu. Briefs will be reviewed by the teaching team, and we will reach out to you to discuss the details.

How it works

As the leader of a non-profit organization, your role in sponsoring a Design it Forward project is essential. As a project sponsor, you will partner with course instructors to frame the problem based on our extensive experience delivering dozens of impactful project outcomes. More specifically:

You bring

• Your deep knowledge of your organization’s mission, and the people you serve
• A specific, focused problem that would benefit from a deep study to “re-imagine” the problem space and identify a multitude of potential solutions
• Intimate knowledge of your internal stakeholder ecosystem
• ~1-2 hours per week while the class is in-session to meet with students, answer questions and provide feedback
• A kickoff deck, based on our Design it Forward Project Template, that outlines all of the above in one neat package for the student’s to begin the project

We bring

• 1-2 planning sessions with course instructors – all senior-level IBM design leads – to properly plan and frame your project
• ~20 enthusiastic junior, senior and graduate students who are enrolled in a variety of majors at NC State University, who will work in teams from start to finish
• Final project presentation deck with a recording
• Prototypes that may be digital and/or physical, depending on scope of the project
• Process work and documentation that led to the final output for your reference

many thanks to our previous project sponsors

Foster Family Alliance

Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina will educate, advocate, support and promote partnerships that lead to positive outcomes for children, youth and resource families of North Carolina.

View Project 

Freedom United

Freedom United is the world’s largest community dedicated to ending human trafficking & modern slavery.

View Project 

Green Chair Project

The Green Chair Project reuses essential furnishings donated by our community to help neighbors in need facing the challenges of homelessness, crisis or disaster.

View Project 

Habitat for Humanity

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

View Project 

Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women

IPMW equips women with the tools and support they need to heal, grow and thrive both in prison and in the communities to which they return.

View Project 

Kidznotes

Kidznotes catalyzes social change by providing comprehensive music education, leadership opportunities, and character-building experiences to children with the fewest resources and the greatest need.

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Marbles Kids Museum

Marbles Kids Museum sparks imagination, discovery and learning through play.

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North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts

NCAOC provides centralized administration and budgeting services for the state’s courts.

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Pack for a Purpose

The mission of Pack for a Purpose is to positively impact communities around the world by assisting travelers who want to take meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit.

View Project