WantedDesign’s Projects with Social Impact Award for 2020 went to Isabel Cano Anaya of CENTRO (Mexico) for her project Piccolo, a plush toy / backpack to store accessories related to the treatment of diabetes, such as the glucose meter, insulin pens, among others. We interviewed the winners of the Conscious Design Awards to learn more about their projects, their design interests and why the notion of “conscious design” is important to them.

Isabel, tell us a bit about you, your school, and your area of study.

I study industrial design in Centro. Centro is an specialized university for design. Graphic design is also my area and I truly enjoy studying in CENTRO.

Tell us about the project you presented at WantedDesign Brooklyn

In Mexico, 3 out of 10 children are diabetic.

Diabetes, like all chronic diseases, is scary especially when you are a child and you have no idea what this condition means.

Accepting the disease and the challenges that it entails is not always easy and that is why I  thought of an accessory that allows you to feel accompanied at the same time that it has a practical utility for the transfer of the necessary supplies for your treatment.

Source: Mexican Diabetes Federation

This toy includes different pockets to store your diabetes belongings as well as stickers to personalize the insulin pens to make them less disturbing to the eye.

Social design. Inspired by diabetic children and the challenge of living with the disease. Plush toy / Backpack to store accessories related to the treatment of diabetes, such as the glucose meter, insulin pens, among others.

Why do you think your project specially appealed to the Jury?

The project has an impact in an unexplored area that is diabetes for kids, it’s a disease that doesn’t have a lot of attention like others and, thinking in a way of helping this kids its innovative.

How would you like the project to evolve and potentially be implemented?

Right now I’m working on it, I would really like to make it more about the user, I want each kid to feel their piccolo it’s unique.

How do you and your project relate to the notion of “conscious and responsible design”?

I guess, when we are thinking about people we are being responsible and conscious, social and health design I think are the most important because it’s not only selling a product but helping others and making an effort to improve people’s life.

What is next step for you? Do you have any other personal projects in which you are working on?

I want to finish my career, and graduate. Right now I’m trying to finish the best I can Piccolo, and then I would look for another challenge.

What is your dream project?

I guess, right now I don’t really know. But I do like helping people, and I would really like to make an impact with the things I Design.

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Isabel Cano Anaya
CENTRO – Product Design
Mexico City, Mexico
https://isacanoa97.wixsite.com/isacanoa

Read more about all the winners of the WantedDesign Conscious Design Awards 2020.