You Can't Miss: Designs For a Good Cause

This week, on the blog I'm following for the class, I came across a very interesting post addressing an issue I hadn't considered before - are designers using their talent for a worthy purpose? In response to the recent tragedies impacting Japan, many designers have created posters (like the ones below) to "raise awareness" for donations to Japan, but this issue has had no problem doing that on its own. So, one must ask if this is really the best use of time and energy for skillful artists to promote?

Daniel Freytag - "Japan" 

All profits made from poster sales are donated to relief funds for Japan. 

Signalnoise: "Help Japan" 

The events that have impacted Japan and its people are devastating, but I think designers could find a better use of their time supporting a cause that lacks definitive support. This is not to say that designing for Japan is a waste of time, but other issues could benefit so much more from having someone pay more attention to it. 

Designers really should consider how their art can make a difference in the world, so why waste time drawing attention to a tragedy that is already being addressed when there are so many other catastrophes that occur daily. Art can be so powerful and we designers have a responsibility to invoke sensitivity in the light of misfortune and injustice.