Design Ignites Change - Projects - CeaseFire Campaign against Violence

IIT Institute of Design

The IIT Institute of Design project team worked with CeaseFire Chicago, an anti-violence organization, to develop a communications strategy to change the thinking about the social norms and behaviors that perpetuate the transmission of violence at the individual and community level. Over a period of three months the project team interviewed CeaseFire staff, community residents, local stakeholders, and potential enabling partners in order to define the problem space and design a solution.

Amanda Geppert
www.ceasefirechicago.org
amandageppert@gmail.com

www.ceasefirechicago.org

1 Strategies to move high and low risk residents toward a healthy, united community include gaining credibility with high risk residents, and fostering involvement by the low risk.

2 The Good News Engine solicits and spreads good news through the neighborhood, illuminating opportunities and encouraging the high risk to seek out and pursue positive alternatives.

3 The Mobile Branch provides a flexible, visible outdoor social space for events that will bridge the gap between low and high risk residents.

4 Universal Training teaches local business owners, block club members and residents techniques to prevent violence from escalating and to change social norms so that violence is no longer acceptable.

5 Heal the Space creates lasting roles for emotional investment in the community that will repair the physical and emotional landscapes.

The fear of violence causes low risk community residents to stay indoors and makes them afraid to speak up, resulting in the neglect of the social and physical environment of the neighborhood. How could CeaseFire Chicago close this communication gap to create a shared sense of community building and a dialogue for change?

The project team designed a community involvement campaign comprising four systems focused on: sharing positive news; training community members in conflict management; creating visible public locations for social interaction; and neighborhood development. Together they build bridges between low- and high- risk individuals.

CeaseFire Campaign against Violence

IIT Institute of Design

Contact

Connect to Design Ignites Change