Hi Reader,

It's been a squirly month in Saudi, and now I'm home in the US. I've been trying to get this letter finished for 2 weeks - so even though technically we're out of August, this letter is definitely from then, and still relevant to share 🙌

'Designing Tomorrow' isn’t only about imagining what’s next. Sometimes, it’s about deciding what kind of tomorrow we want to help create, choosing to stand alongside people and communities when they need us most.

Behind the headlines.

Recently, devastating tragedies have affected artisan communities in Colombia and Nepal, leaving families, livelihoods and futures deeply uncertain. And in Kenya, there's a visionary artisan project also facing a difficult season in need of support.

For those of us working with artisans, these stories are very close to home. We know that behind every beautiful handmade piece is a person, a family and a wider community. When big events hit the headlines, individual stories become blurred. Sadly we know that when the headlines fade, the hardship doesn't. For many it's only just begun.

On the front lines

At Motif, we’ve always believed that design is a force for good. Designers are by nature creative problem solvers, and Fair Trade is about more than paying a fair price. Relationships, opportunity and building stronger futures together is the way forward.

So, as you think about our theme Designing Tomorrow, Today, here are three opportunities to turn that idea into action:

🇨🇴 Colombia Fellow Chicago Fair Trade member Tulia's Gallery works with the Wounaan Non Naam exquisite basket weavers affected by the recent earthquake. If you'd like to join us in supporting them, just write COLOMBIA in the comment box, after selecting your donation amount here. You could also buy your next gift - or 3 - from Tulia's website!

🇳🇵 Nepal Support families and communities facing the devastating impact of recent flooding. Artisan businesses based in Nepal are directing donations to the government relief fund, rather than managing their own efforts. Dharma Tool's donation page is robust and gives all the information needed.

🇰🇪 Kenya An artisan project we know and care about, Kiguma Talent Centre is currently in need of support. Set up by a dynamic young man within the community, his story is here, KTC equips Congolese refugees in Kenya with sewing and hairdressing skills.

It’s easy to think of designing the future as something that happens in studios. Choosing materials, developing collections and finding better ways to make is certainly part of this process. But it also happens through the choices we make today: whose work we value, where we spend our money, and how we show up for others.

Designing tomorrow, today, means being and choosing the kind of future we want to create.

And sometimes, the most meaningful design decision / problem to solve, is simply how to stand alongside someone and say: you are not alone.

We really are here to make things, all things, better together,