Catadores de Sonhos
Facilitated design workshops, redesigned and implemented websites, managed social media, and handled internal communications for the Catadores de Sonhos project in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Focused on enhancing the socioeconomic conditions of waste-pickers and creating alternative income sources from recycled materials for the Asmare cooperative.
Catadores de Sonhos was a collaboration between the Design and Dance programs of the Federal University of Minas Gerais and the associates of Asmare, an association of waste-pickers from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The initiative aimed to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the associates by nurturing their agency and self-esteem while also creating an alternative source of income beyond the collection of recyclable materials.
While I had some previous experiences with course projects, Catadores de Sonhos was my first real-life project. As with any first-time experience, I learned a lot, including valuable lessons on what Social Design is not, or, at the very least, what it should not be.
Catadores de Sonhos
Catadores de Sonhos was a collaboration between the Design and Dance programs of the Federal University of Minas Gerais and the associates of Asmare, an association of waste-pickers from Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
The initiative aimed to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the associates by nurturing their agency and self-esteem while also creating an alternative source of income beyond the collection of recyclable materials.
While I had some previous experiences with course projects, Catadores de Sonhos was my first real-life project. As with any first-time experience, I learned a lot, including valuable lessons on what Social Design is not, or, at the very least, what it should not be.
My role
In the early stages, my primary responsibility was to plan and facilitate the design workshops which were crafted to empower the associates through training in various aspects, encompassing the production and marketing of new products. These products would be created using materials that were abundantly collected but did not generate income for Asmare, such as tarp, glass, and wood.
My role
In the early stages, my primary responsibility was to plan and facilitate the design workshops which were crafted to empower the associates through training in various aspects, encompassing the production and marketing of new products. These products would be created using materials that were abundantly collected but did not generate income for Asmare, such as tarp, glass, and wood.
Activities
The goal of the initial design workshops was to introduce associates to “communicative” drawing. Activities involved deconstructing products into geometric shapes, controlling strokes, and others, not intended to make them artists, but rather to empower them to develop ideas in Asmare’s carpentry workshop. This workshop, inactive due to infrequent use, would become the space for bringing ideas to life from the materials abundantly collected but not commercially traded.
Activities
The goal of the initial design workshops was to introduce associates to “communicative” drawing. Activities involved deconstructing products into geometric shapes, controlling strokes, and others, not intended to make them artists, but rather to empower them to develop ideas in Asmare’s carpentry workshop. This workshop, inactive due to infrequent use, would become the space for bringing ideas to life from the materials abundantly collected but not commercially traded.
Learnings
When the design workshops began, I didn’t have sufficient time to engage with the associates beforehand. This became one of my first lessons — building trust requires time. When time is limited, utilizing creativity to build connections becomes crucial; otherwise, people may perceive you as just another researcher aiming to extract information from them. This realization became even clearer after several weeks of workshops when I observed a decline in participation. It led me to step back and initiate conversations. I discovered that the associates indeed wanted to participate, but their earnings were tied to the hours worked. Consequently, time spent in the workshops represented less money for them.
Therefore, I began reaching out to potential sponsors and donors, researching funding options and public initiatives. Unfortunately, due to the urgency of our situation, we couldn’t wait for the deadline processes offered by those options. So, my advisor decided to put his own money on it.
Learnings
When the design workshops began, I didn’t have sufficient time to engage with the associates beforehand. This became one of my first lessons — building trust requires time. When time is limited, utilizing creativity to build connections becomes crucial; otherwise, people may perceive you as just another researcher aiming to extract information from them. This realization became even clearer after several weeks of workshops when I observed a decline in participation. It led me to step back and initiate conversations. I discovered that the associates indeed wanted to participate, but their earnings were tied to the hours worked. Consequently, time spent in the workshops represented less money for them.
Therefore, I began reaching out to potential sponsors and donors, researching funding options and public initiatives. Unfortunately, due to the urgency of our situation, we couldn’t wait for the deadline processes offered by those options. So, my advisor decided to put his own money on it.
Other responsabilities
In addition to my primary duties, I was also responsible for several other tasks that were crucial to the success of the Catadores de Sonhos project. These included:
- Managing the social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) for the project, ensuring regular updates and engagement with our audience.
- Redesigning and implementing both Asmare’s and the project’s websites, ensuring they were user-friendly and effectively communicated our mission and activities.
- Creating and distributing internal communication materials such as flyers, brochures, posters, and announcements to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged.
Other responsabilities
In addition to my primary duties, I was also responsible for several other tasks that were crucial to the success of the Catadores de Sonhos project. These included:
- Managing the social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) for the project, ensuring regular updates and engagement with our audience.
- Redesigning and implementing both Asmare’s and the project’s websites, ensuring they were user-friendly and effectively communicated our mission and activities.
- Creating and distributing internal communication materials such as flyers, brochures, posters, and announcements to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged.
Let's talk
Reach out for collabs or just to increase my email count! 📧😜
merciabguilherme@gmail.com
Let's talk
Reach out for collabs or just to increase my email count! 📧😜
merciabguilherme@gmail.com