Martin Fisher is an enthusiastic rulebreaker. And he’s on his way to making millions. Millions of products that help people in third world countries live a better life. In 1991 he co-founded ApproTEC (now KickStart.org) to develop and market new, appropriate technologies in Africa. He and his group have created over 29,000 new jobs, generating $37 million a year in new profits and wages — transforming subsistence farms into highly profitable enterprises. I’d feel pretty good if I could do something like that. That’s why I founded Designfluence.

Martin is an engineering PhD alum of Stanford who gave a talk there back in April of 2004. He demonstrated simple human-powered water pumps that have helped developing-country entrepreneurs create new jobs and new wealth, and allowed the poor to climb out of their poverty.

What was so distinctive about the presentation was how far removed I felt from his world of design. He has made a huge difference in a large number of lives. I asked myself if I wanted to do that kind of design. Yes!

I think designers should take every opportunity to get involved in as many facets of design as possible. The act of design is such a rich experience. Design, like so many disciplines, is both a satisfying process and a desirable destination — stimulating in action, rewarding in the finished product. Or maybe the finished effect. The people’s lives affected by Martin’s work is the reason he’s so involved. It’s a good test of design — the effect on human lives.

1. Essentials – air, water and food… products and processes for human survival.
2. Clothing —  what to wear!
3. Shelter — spaces and places for living and working. 
4. Energy — a power-full life. 
5. Health —  healing and feeling good.
6. Conversion — waste not, want not, have more… from composting to upcycling.
7. Materials — elemental building blocks: biological and technical.
8. Tools — making things easier.
9. Movement — getting there.
10. Connection — we are not alone: direct and indirect communication; knowledge; governance.
11. Play — having fun along the way!