Got creative talent? Want to use it for the public good? Anyone, anywhere, with a passion for art and design (and some available time) can build up their community while empowering others. As acting director of desigNYC, a New York based design collective that facilitates public projects with non-profit organizations and design professionals, Michelle Mullineaux, has a wealth of knowledge in this area. We asked her to share some advice on how creative types can create a world of difference…

Follow your passion:  Pick a project you care about deeply- be it education, women’s issues, homelessness, environmental advocacy, etc. Your enthusiasm will be your greatest tool as you move through all phases of your project: finding a good match for your skills, sharing those skills most effectively and ultimately, creating a useful outcome. It can easily be a win-win, but you have to really care about what you’re doing!

Look for partner organizations:  Sometimes the most challenging part is finding an organization that needs the type of service you have to offer. Look for partner organizations that aggregate opportunities for creative types.  Nationally, there are organizations like Taproot Foundation, VolunteerMatch, 1% Solution, Architecture for Humanity and Project H. There are also local organizations like desigNYC in New York and EPIC in Chicago. You may also want to check with your local community colleges and political leaders.

Commit to a project: Once you’ve located a project where you can donate your artistic talents, make sure you are prepared for a successful outcome, in the same way you would prepare to take on a new project at work. Being organized and well prepared will help make your commitment worthwhile for you and your partner organization. For example: estimate the time you will need to successfully complete the project, and set that aside before you start so you can be fully engaged and stay committed throughout the life of the project.

As soon as the project starts, get to know your partner, and establish rapport. Make transparency a key facet of your work together from day one. For example:

• Set goals so that everyone involved is clear on targets and depending on your project, the arc of the creative project. (Remember, your partner probably knows little about how you do what you do!)
• Create a calendar of deliverables and who is responsible for them, so everyone knows what is expected from whom, and when.
• Set regular review sessions to assess progress, and (re)confirm goals, deliverables and outcomes throughout the life of the project.

Promote your impact. Don’t be shy about promoting your work! Your partner organization can be a great resource for contacts at local media outlets, and very well may have relationships with journalists who would be interested in writing about your work. Ask them how they typically promote their partnerships and let them know you’d be interested in promoting yours.

Here a few turnkey ways to get the media’s attention:

• Document your work from beginning to end through video footage (a handheld camera, such as an iphone or a Flip camera are great) or still pictures. The press loves this sort of background detail, it helps give life to the topic and personalities, and helps the media frame their story.
• On the social networking front, set up a facebook or twitter feed to document your project, and upload your images to the web to help garner ongoing interest in your project.
• Ask your project partner to do the same, and reach out to their followers, friends, etc. and get them involved.

The more community interest that can be developed around your project, the greater the impact!

desigNYC is a new service network with the mission of improving life in New York City by connecting nonprofit groups with professional, pro bono design resources. Check out their progress at http://www.desigNYC.org and/or follow them on twitter at twitter.com/desigNYCnow

PHOTO: Theo Morrison