NEW YORK NY
Andrew Shea, founder of MANY and an Assistant Professor of Integrated Design at Parsons School of Design writes:
“MANY is a communication design studio based in New York and we prioritize projects that have the potential to positively impact or contribute to the common good. The name of our studio underscores our general approach and what we value. Specifically, it describes our interest in working on a range of multidisciplinary projects in a collaborative way, by partnering with our clients and engaging the audience that the designs are intended to reach. We work closely with our clients to ensure each project moves along smoothly. Our process starts by clarifying our client’s goals through in-person meetings, research, and by gaining insights from the end-users of the design. Part of this process involves understanding what impact the design needs to make. Then we use a range of design strategies to determine how the design will look, function, and connect with intended audiences, whether the design be a website, printed document, or exhibition. Finally, we craft and implement the final design, providing guides when necessary to help clients implement updates that ensures the design will responsive to their future needs.”
We were asked by Human Impact Institute to collaborate on a series of transmedia exhibitions that highlighted the efforts of innovative individuals who work to combat climate change. By sharing these “Human Impact Stories,” the organization sought to inspire people to take action in ways that improves our planet. In addition to helping the organization strategize the goals for these exhibitions, we designed the visual identity, the layout for the New York exhibition, an interface that for visitors to listen to audio recordings, collateral for the exhibition, print and digital promotional materials, and 34 oversized banners. We always look for sustainable materials to produce the designs. We found a replacement for traditional vinyl, which takes a very long time to decompose. BIOflex is a materials that attracts microbes and breaks down the PVC within 3&emdash;5 years. The “Human Impact Stories” exhibitions took place in three cities: sHeros (New York, NY), Climate Connections (Marseille, France), and Bridging the Divide (Berlin, Germany).
