The first of two Design Ignites Change Implementation Awards went to First Person American, the thesis project by recent graduate Irina Lee (MFA 2010 Design) that aims to document the modern immigrant experience and enabling them the opportunity to share their stories.
Working in collaboration with The Peopling of America Center—part of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation—both aim to, “put a human face on the immigration reform issue through storytelling, visual documentation and interactive media.” An $8,300 grant will be used for programming the First Person American Web site, which is scheduled to be completed by July 4, 2011 (there is a beta version already in place). The award and project have also been covered by GOOD magazine in its “Design” section.