Designers Join Forces to Provide Relief for Victims of the Atlanta Shooting

Amidst an uptick in anti-Asian violence and rhetoric, and following the March 16 shooting in Atlanta that left eight dead—six of whom were women of Asian descent—many in the United States are reckoning further with the country’s racism. The design community is no exception: Professional organizations and individual designers alike have taken to social media to share messages of support, crowdfunding links, and other resources for anti-racist initiatives and to fundraise for victims’ families.

Yesterday  marked the kick-off of #DesignForAtlanta (@DesignForATL), one of the largest design-focused relief efforts to emerge. Launched by the agency Hello Human and rug company Tantuvi with help from designers Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, it harnesses social media and a well-connected network of designers to raise money for the families of the shooting victims.

More than 80 designers and makers have donated goods that will be raffled off on Instagram via designers’ profiles. Offerings range from a sculptural luminaire by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio to shelving by CHIAOZZA and translucent, candylike trays by Gaetano Pesce. Costs of tickets vary depending on the item, and proceeds will go towards the Atlanta chapter of Advancing Justice for Asian Americans, an advocacy group that is supporting the grieving Atlanta families. Entries close this Sunday at midnight, and winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 30.

The founder of Hello Human, Jenny Nguyen has worked with both Arati Rao of Tantuvi and Jean Lee of Ladies & Gentlemen Studio as clients since last summer. She says that as AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) women in design, the three have mutually discussed their “personal experiences dealing with racism in America” as well as their ”desire to support and lift the voices of BIPOC designers.” She hopes that the project will not only raise a substantial amount of money for impacted individuals, but also be a “show of solidarity with the AAPI community.”

Scroll through below for some of our top picks, and follow @DesignForATL to learn more or make a donation.

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