The Core77 Design Awards Design for Social Impact category features projects designed to directly benefit social, humanitarian, community, or environmental needs. Examples of social impact work include community or environmental impact initiatives, products for underrepresented communities, distribution systems, disaster relief, the fight for racial justice, and humanitarian efforts.

"When you truly believe in what you're doing and communicate that energy – whether through storytelling, visuals, or the details of your approach – it resonates with others." This strong belief in the purpose of her work has fueled Valerie Kramis' career, and it's something she encourages other designers to consider in their own projects.

As the Co-Founder of Agenda28, an award-winning design studio focused on social impact, Valerie has applied a lifelong passion for social causes to her professional journey. The Design Strategy Specialist brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, strategic planning, social innovation, and social entrepreneurship to "advance social initiatives through human-centered approaches and innovative methodologies. Since its founding at the Harvard Innovation Labs, Agenda28 has developed into a thriving studio with dual headquarters in New York City and Mexico City, enabling Valerie to lead more than 100 design projects across 10 countries. She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tec de Monterrey and a master's degree in liberal arts from Harvard University.

Valerie remains most energized by the opportunity to combine design thinking with social innovation to create real, lasting impact – particularly in projects that allow her to tackle complex challenges while also advancing social causes. "From concept to execution, it's incredibly fulfilling to know that my work plays a role in driving meaningful change and supporting initiatives that truly make a difference," she says.

In a design world where solutions are often driven by "trends," Valerie emphasizes the importance of focusing solutions around the "actual needs of the communities or problems we're trying to address." As she explains, "It's easy to get caught up in what's popular, but the most meaningful designs come from truly understanding the people we're designing for."

Valerie firmly believes that the best design outcomes emerge from deep commitment and a sense of purpose: "Don't be afraid to show how passionate you are about your project. Passion is contagious and can make all the difference in how your project is received. Let your enthusiasm shine through, and people will not only understand your project – they'll feel it."

2024 Design for Social Impact winner Indigenizing Design.

Last year's Core77 Design Awards winner in the Design for Social Impact category was "Indigenizing Design," the work of a collaborative effort among Catapult Design, CahokiaPHX, Brian Skeet Design LLC, and Indigenous Community Collaborative. The project, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, created the Indigenizing Design Framework, exploring how to recast the narrative of Human-Centered Design through the lens of Indigenous perspectives.

Our jurors would love to see your passion-driven project aimed at advancing social causes. Share your work with the 2025 Core77 Design Awards – and the world.

Enter your work in the Core77 Design Awards today.