one for one

It is pretty well know by now that I’m a fan of Toms shoes due to the fact that I wear them nearly every day in rain, snow, or sun. Toms shoes are a win-win situation for me… buying shoes that I like in the first place and my purchase supplies a pair for a child in need… I’ll take several pairs please! Toms shoes displays a clear picture of their purpose as a company in their idea of One for One. For every pair of shoes that is sold, another pair is given…pretty simple. They change the graphics on the shoes often so that their costumers don’t just buy once but continue to buy them. Toms has branched out a little with a few side projects that also employ the One for One idea. They did a series of skateboards that for each one sold; one was donated to a skate camp for troubled youth. They have established this as “their thing” and they stick to it. At Toms, all the employees are called “shoe givers”, from the CEO (or chief shoe giver) to the interns.
I’m simply inspired by Toms. I can apply a few of their ideas to my own work but there is one in particular that is easily applicable. Toms thrives on an idea that can be applied to any project, job, relationship, etc, etc; this is collaboration. Toms often partners with artist and other brands to develop a product that will profit a greater partnership with those in need. Collaboration is important when developing any product because if one relies on only their own ideas and thoughts, they will never be able to develop a product that meets the needs of others. Toms was founded for the people, not for the profit and I think, as designers, we need to center our designs around the needs of the people.