Back in October of 2010, a chance request for a partnership with Amnesty International fell into the Bureau’s lap by way of Larissa Mettler Mendoza, campaign associate for AI USA and former schoolmate of Bureau co-founder Beat Baudenbacher. Seeing as how the Bureau was created to apply our talents to causes like Amnesty International, it immediately piqued our interest. Amnesty’s request was for us to help them by creating the opening film for their 50th anniversary conference, and it was precisely the kind of thing the Bureau has been yearning to do. But we knew that pulling off a 3:00 mixed-media film in only our free time wouldn’t be easy.

And it wasn’t. Five months of working evenings, weekends and the occasional weekday (graciously donated by Loyalkaspar) pushed the Bureau to its limits and brought out its best. Entire scenes were filmed in our tiny office insert stage (which we call the Garage™), renders were farmed throughout the whole office, and pizza slice after pizza slice were downed as the BureauCreatives™ collectively powered through the wee hours of late 2010 and early 2011, with March 19th in our sights.

It’s hard to believe that day is already behind us, and even harder to believe that we were able to achieve so much in such a small amount of time. And with the events in the Middle East colliding with our March 19th deadline, the time to stand up for freedom and dignity couldn’t be more apparent. We’re proud to have done our small part, and hope that the film inspires others to take action for human rights wherever they may be.

It is our great pleasure to present the opening film, entitled “Shine a Light,” for Amnesty International’s 50th anniversary celebration. We look forward to creating the film for their 100th.

Head over to the LK Vimeo site (here) to watch a full-screen version!

Amnesty also gave us the opportunity to include something small in the gift bags being given out at the conference, as a way of announcing our involvement in the project. Rather than make it all about us, we took it as a chance to wish Amnesty International a happy 50th birthday and give the attendees an interactive way to bring part of the film home with them. Boom! Two birds with one stone.

The Betterment Bureau loves art that challenges the viewer, so when the Incubator Arts Project asked us to design their latest print and digital presence we were both excited and terrified. The IAP, which curates the historic space in St. Mark’s Church that has been a home for avant-garde theater for over 20 years, recently took over the space from the Ontological-Hysteric Theater, which in addition to being founded by legend Richard Foreman also has a pretty badass name. With the passing of the torch, IAP wanted to present a new identity and pay homage to the theater’s heritage. If you’re in the east village and looking to get your mind blown, stop by for one of their shows and tell them the Bureau sent you!

David Herbruck, co-owner of Loyalkaspar, takes a ferry to work each morning. It just so happens that Peter Sillen, documentary filmmaker, takes the same ferry. It was on this floating hotbed of possibility that a conversation between the two was struck, forever changing the Bureau’s involvement in the post-mortem affairs of Steven “Jesse” Bernstein.

Sillen was looking for someone to help design and animate the title sequence for his film about the brief but brilliant career of Bernstein, poet from Seattle and inspiration for the early 90’s grunge movement. The Betterment Bureau gladly took up this challenge, lead by veteran creative Daniel Dörnemann, by designing and animating the opening and end credits to the film.

Peter was so impressed by the work done for the credits that he also asked Daniel to design the movie’s poster, which was printed as both a traditional glossy one-sheet, and also on gorgeous and raw newsprint. We love the newsprint version so much, we have it hung up in our conference room!

Later on, Peter was able to produce a small pressing of vinyl records highlighting select works from the Steven “Jesse” Bernstein catalogue. Daniel was brought in yet again to design all of the packaging, a meaty design-task that he was more than happy to take a bite out of.

In the end we had the pleasure of viewing the work in context at the MoMA premiere and couldn’t be happier with the result and the response. You didn’t know it, but we’re secretly important people, too. For more information about this excellent documentary, check out the film’s official website: www.iamsecretlyanimportantman.com.

Like many chance meetings in New York, we randomly met World Up Executive Director Ebenezer Bond at a bar (our favorite Crosby Street watering hole, Ñ). One drink in, we already knew we wanted to lend a hand to this deserving organization.  First order of business: create an opening sequence, lower-third look and end-slate animation for their upcoming documentary film highlighting their work painting murals with communities in the Philippines, produced in partnership with Trust Your Struggle and MVMT. From the beginning, we knew we wanted to create a clean, monochromatic language that spoke clearly but didn’t compete with the colorful and intricate murals they would be painting.  We hope they think it “doesn’t suck.”

To support this amazing project financially, click here.

The Betterment Bureau has always had a soft spot for animals in need, so when Betterment-friend Jason Wood mentioned that he was looking for help with a promotional video for New York-based United Action for Animals™, it only seemed natural to get involved. In the end we’d like to think we gave a great organization an improved visual language and perhaps, just perhaps, saved a few puppies in the process.

The ‘Be Nice’ campaign was born in April of 2009 as a response to the grumpiness typically encountered in New York City. Being nice is actually quite easy, and we’ve found that it makes everyone, including yourself, feel a lot better. Like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. We figured we’d spread the message by making buttons, posters and fliers to hand out around town to anyone who supported the cause.

You can download Be Nice Posters here

Although we can’t confirm it, we strongly believe that Diesel’s 2010 ‘Be Stupid’ campaign is an imitation of our bold graphic concept. We’re flattered, Diesel!

When our friends at the Verge Art Fair asked us to donate some of our BE NICE buttons and stickers for their swag bags, the answer was a resounding yes! Our participation has re-invigorated our commitment to the BE NICE campaign, and has motivated us to spread the message across New York and beyond. What are you doing to BE NICE?

We are recruiting advocates of all ages to help spread the good word on being nice.

After the tragic earthquake of January 12th befell upon Haiti, the Betterment Bureau took solace around the one place that always makes us smile during hard times: our office foosball table. And then it hit us. Why not raise money for Haiti by hosting a Foosball Tournament? The little idea that could blossomed into a full-fledged fundraiser. With the help of our favorite local coffee/surf shop, Saturdays Surf NYC, and a bazillion amazing sponsors, we raised $2000 to benefit the people of Haiti and the efforts of the Red Cross. Before, during, and after, we always kept our mantra in mind: FUN FOR GOOD. And indeed it was.

Naturally, this event deserved its own brand, which is a simple marriage of the Betterment Bureau and Saturdays Surf NYC logos. Unlike our commercial clients whose style-guides are written in stone, our style-guide was written in snow.

Spirits were high, and everyone was willing to lend a hand for Haiti.

Too bad we can’t raise money just by being attractive. Or can we?

The tournament was heated, the players were focused, and when the dust settled there was a clear victor: team Dans ta Gueule (Ben Yonda and Sébastien Larreur, image: lower right)

After the tournament, we raffled off some highly coveted prizes from our numerous donors (see list and links below).

Booya! $2000 is a handsome sum. Thankfully the wad of cash wasn’t just one dollar bills.

A thousand gold-wrapped thank yous go out to our amazing partners and sponsors: Saturdays Surf NYC, Brooklyn Brewery, DJ Charlie Wonder, Incase Products, Lekker Home, The News Inc, Cheap Monday, SML Bags, Aerial7 Products, Casio Watches, Evisu Jeans, Lisa Shaub Hats, LM.affair by Lincoln Mayne, Bellisima World Jewelry, Art by Sasha and Oksana, and all of the many volunteers and attendees that made the event a smashing success!

As the first client-based project for the Bureau for the Betterment of the World through Design, Simon Robson’s global warming film “Coalition of the Willing” was a wonderful opportunity for us to spread our creative wings. Utilizing Sébastien Larreur’s stop-motion mastery and tapping into the ingenious resourcefulness of both he and Elliott Chaffer, everyday food items came to life to show what happens when people with good ideas come together to fight a global threat. Metaphorically, of course. You can see the film in its entirety at the official Coalition website here: http://coalitionofthewilling.org.uk/

Here at the Betterment Bureau, we like to know what people think about the world of professional design and how we can use our skills to make the world a better place. Here are some of our thoughts.

‘Toxic Baby™’ is a film, five years in the making, by documentary film director Penelope Jagessar Chaffer about the potentially harmful effects of chemicals on young children. Penelope also happens to be the wife of BBWD creative director Elliott Chaffer, so it only seemed natural for the Betterment Bureau to contribute our expertise to the project. We designed and animated the opening titles, lower thirds, and graphic title cards.  Expect to see ‘Toxic Baby™’ the film, and App in 2011. The newly launched and totally non-toxic website is live now!

www.toxicbaby.com