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Design Matters

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Designmatters is an initiative from Art Center College of Design exploring the social and humanitarian application of design.

One of their initiatives is The Los Angeles Earthquake: Get Ready, a look at how 21st century communication tools can be used to create a multimedia safety campaign to prepare Southern Californians for the “big one.”

After Hurricane Katrina, Designmatters’ director, students, policy makers and experts in the field researched the ways in which LA could prepare itself for an earthquake.

Their findings will be published in a Sourcebook, a high-profile civic event at the Nokia Plaza in downtown LA, November 14, an online recovery simulation game, and a PSA.

We interviewed Designmatters director, Mariana Amatullo, as well as the creators of the game and the film to talk about how ultimately design matters in the way we prepare citizens to cope with a disaster.

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