Underheard in NY is a project that gave voice to four men living on the streets of New York City. Using a mobile phone and a Twitter account, people who have grown accustomed to being ignored, shunned and marginalized had the ability to offer insight into their world. The project is currently on hiatus as the team tries to develop a larger framework allowing the idea to be transplanted to other urban centres.

Whilst the initial concept is interesting and has undoubtedly broadened the reach of these individuals, it seems to open up broader possibilities linked to individuals helping individuals. One of the stumbling blocks for not for profits is their need to connect with donors and express the tangible impact their activities have on individuals, as opposed to the abstract notion of “helping”, “doing good” or “making a difference”.

If the power of Twitter—where conversations and relationships take place between individuals—can be harnessed to connect the haves with the have nots, there is no middleman.

I wish the Underheard crew the best in their efforts to develop the idea into a project that has even greater reach and impact so the homeless in our streets can be heard and seen once again.

Good 50 x 70 is in its fifth year. The initiative aims to offer creatives a chance to submit posters they’ve produced to communicate social messages.

In the past four years, a theme was assigned. This year it was left entirely open so creatives could choose to give voice to issues that were dear to them. This year’s jury is impressive: Kate Andrews, David Berman, David Carson, Svetlana Faldina, Cao Fang, Paddy Harrington, Ruth Klotzel, Yossi Lemel, Armando Milani, Woody Pirtle, Santiago Pol, Liza Ramalho, Massimo Vignelli, Lourdes Zolezzi.

The organisation is also in the process of developing an archive so not for profits can find suitable visuals and apply to license them for use.

The deadline for this year’s installment is today, sadly, so mark your calendars for next year if this is a scheme that strikes your fancy.

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Images from 2010
Poverty Trapped / Mary Anne Pennington, United States
Poverty! / Vahe Abed, Iran
Equality? / Arturo Botello, Mexico

Mailet Lopez survived Type 2B breast cancer. Instead of moving on without another thought, she chronicled her experience in a blog to help others who may be faced with the disease.

Her efforts came to the attention of Squeaky Wheel Mediaand together they built social platform I Had Cancer, which launched yesterday.

The site links survivors, fighter and supporters through type of cancer, age, gender and year of diagnosis and geographic filtering. When so much of the social web revolves around brands and vacuous chatter, it’s encouraging to witness this powerful example of how it also connects people in their “real life” experiences.

Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Awareness Posters 1985–2010 is an exhibition of notable AIDS-awareness posters created around the world in the past 25 years.

The rampant spread of the HIV/AIDS virus over the past 29 years has created the most significant global public health crisis in modern history. Despite the complexity and scale of the epidemic, there is still a lack of worldwide strategies to lead AIDS education. AIDS education in many countries is still shouldered, to a great extent, by government agencies and grassroots organizations led by community activists who are often motivated local citizens.

So whilst many infected people are now able to manage the disease, the task of preventing further cases demands that raising of public awareness remain a priority. Elizabeth Resnick, the show’s curator states: “In many countries, the poster as a medium of information was unknown before the emergence and identification of the HIV virus.” The exhibition, presented by the Massachusetts College of Art & Design and Korn Design is on at the Art Directors Club in New York from 6 June to 29 July.

The video shown below—unrelated to the exhibition—further illustrates the evolution of campaigns in recent years, from print to digital delivery.