Creators Next Door

Creating stronger bonds between young creatives and their roots.

Duration

August – December 2021

Team

Co-Project Lead: Bryan Hannah
Co-Project Lead: Shannon McCarthy
Brooke Larsen
Daniel Bender

Problem

The issue at the core of this project is one of population, specifically of young people in small, rural towns, which is steadily decreasing. 

Young people are becoming more and more likely to move away from the small communities that they grew up in and are less likely to return. 

Without young people to support them these areas are collapsing due to lack of industry and economic support.

Solution

The solution my team came up with to address this issue of outmigration of young people in rural areas was to create a service which provides individuals with creative and artistic skillsets access to meaningful work opportunities. Creators can become a member and be entered into a database, which then allows them to easily be found and hired to do freelance work for local businesses. 

Creators Next Door would then help both parties through the process of creating an agreement and ensuring everyone is satisfied. Acting as a liaison between these creatives and business, we envisioned our service not only increasing the aesthetic appeal of the town but creating stronger bonds between community members themselves and the home they identify with. We were inspired by various executions of things like community centers, art councils, schools, etc. and how these outlets served to inspire and educate simultaneously.