Gallery: Yves Béhar on How Smart Design Can Propel Social Change
Fuseproject01OLPC - Afghanistan 1
Yves Béhar, founder of design studio fuseproject, has a history of using design to propel social change. One of his most high-profile projects in that arena is One Laptop Per Child. Like the name says, OLPC aims to put low-cost connected tablets in the hands of kids in the developing world.
Fuseproject02OLPC2
Launched in 2006, the XO Laptop one a slew of awards from then to 2010. The durable but light and friendly-looking devices have rolled out in a few iterations since the initial launch.
Fuseproject032Condom Wrappers
Before OLPC, Béhar worked on the NYC Condom campaign. For the wrappers, he created a punchy, circular logo that echoed New York City icons, like subway signage.
Fuseproject04UP Addition 5
Many of Béhar's designs hits occupy a middle ground between social design and consumer goods. Take the UP band: it bestows its wearer with a certain savvy and status, but also makes personal health information more accessible.
Fuseproject059 - Jambox
Other devices tend to be predictive of what's to come in the market. The Jambox was an early player in a now-cluttered market of Bluetooth speakers.
Fuseproject06Augen 1
In 2010 Béhar worked with the Mexican government to supply kids with eyeglasses. The bendy, two-part plastic frames are difficult to break.
