Public Interest Practice

Since around 2010 a loosely organized community of practice has emerged under the name “Public Interest Design.”

Other individuals and organizations are good sources of the history and activities of what can easily be called a movement. Briefly stated, the tradition of community design that started in the 60’s and 70’s as advocacy for under-represented communities threatened by urban renewal, is evolving into a much more diverse and dynamic idea of practice.

The practice activities that are being grouped under the recent label “Public Interest Design” range from social impact programs in for-profit firms, a growing list of university-affiliated programs and non-profit design organizations, to many emerging professionals that are creating innovative ways to practice with a social mission. The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio has been an important part of this movement in several ways.

First, as an organization we have been effectively working and producing leading examples of the methods, outputs and outcomes of Public Interest Design. Second, David Perkes and others in the Design Studio have been active with lecturing and writing to promote and educate. Third, GCCDS runs an intern training program and administers a certificate in Public Design. Finally, many people that have worked in the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio as students, employees or volunteers have moved on to other opportunities, bringing with them the values and methods learned from working in Biloxi.