desigNYC, a nonprofit organization committed to improving life in NYC through the power of design, will celebrate its 2011 collaborations between designers and nonprofits at its annual event and exhibit opening at GD Cucine September 14 through October 1.

Launched at the beginning of 2011, the founding committee includes interactive design pioneer Edwin Schlossberg; Michelle Mullineaux, cofounder and former acting director; New York Magazine design editor Wendy Goodman; Deborah Berke from Deborah Berke & Partners Architects as well as several other leaders in the design and nonprofit communities.

desigNYC’s second round of project collaborations connected eight extraordinary organizations with close to 25 talented design professionals who are leaders in the fields of architectural, landscape, interior, experience and communications design. The collaborations are creating solutions affecting a range of social and environmental issues impacting the city, including sustainable development and education, neighborhood revitalization, social justice, health and urban farming, environmental activism and more.

The organization plans to issue a call to nonprofits and design partners for the next round of projects in early October under the theme of Recharging Communities.

“We want to encourage designers to think of the city as the next frontier for design,” says Laetitia Wolff, who recently joined the organization as executive director. “desigNYC harnesses the power of the creative community to imagine and affect a better urban experience. We are here to heighten public perception, understanding and participation in the making of our city, all together.”

The exhibit will showcase the following active collaborations:

Educating Tomorrow: a network for teachers. Communication designers Language Dept. and developers Rubenstein Technology Group create an identity and website that will function as a network and resource hub for the NYC teacher community on sustainability issues.

Greenhouse Project: a mobile urban farm. NY Sun Works & Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation were matched with Abruzzo-Bodziak Architects to provide schematic design for a hydroponic greenhouse on unused lots in Brooklyn that will provide access to food, innovative scientific and agricultural education, as well as job training in urban agriculture and greenhouse construction. Graphic designer Claire Taylor Hansen assists with project identity and fundraising materials.

Green Map System: a fluid navigation system. Otto NY redesigns the flagship website, Green Apple Map, for this internationally renowned grassroot organization that marshals user-generated mapping of local green resources.

Gowanus Canal CDC: an educational urban platform. Matched with communication designers Fogelson-Lubliner to produce an identity and communications framework, including video, for a new urban ecology initiative.

Ioby: a sustainable identity. Publicis Design creates an integrated brand identity and style guide that will help ioby engage more donors and volunteers in local environmental projects.

Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project: translating complex data. Communications designer Rodrigo Corral designs a multi-language Financial Rights Guide for new immigrants in NYC.

Nostrand Park: a Main Street intervention. Vamos Architects creates a concept design for “Destination Nostrand,” a community oriented, pop-up plaza that provides arts, dining and entertainment along a historic corridor in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

PortSide NewYork: a boatbox on the East River. Architects 590BC and Studio L’Image create architectural enhancements and interpretive environments for a boathouse/community center in Red Hook’s waterfront park.

The exhibit is designed by Paul S. Alter, Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership, and the graphics are conceived by Luciano Crossa of Teclactivo.