Writing a bank cheque is easier than you would like to believe, but the thing with changemakers is they are cognizant of the difference between donation and contribution. And it was the latter that was at the heart of The Design: Impact Awards, a social initiative that seeks to promote product designs that are built to tackle social issues ranging from pollution to physical disability.

The programme by Titan Company Limited in collaboration with Tata Trusts, took shape in 2016. It was followed up by extensive research that included identifying social and environmental issues plaguing the country and achievable parameters based on which applicants were distinguished. "We went through many iterations and a lot of research to be able to come up with a process and became the platform that we are today. We had the vision that we will focus on product design, since it is one of our strengths, and it will be pan-Indian and pan-sector versus concentrating on one particular sector. The thought was, 'How do we use design to build a platform and leverage it in the social sector?'" says Ritika Gupta, Manager, CSR, Titan Company Ltd, about how they envisioned the project.