DERT is a social enterprise that activates books into fundraising tools that raise money for literacy programs. DERT turns everyday people into literacy activists. With your purchase, DERT donates a portion of their profits to promote the cause of children’s literacy. DERT’s social mission is to ensure that all children identify as readers by having access to books and being read to on a regular basis. Reading together is vital for all children through their preschool years and beyond. DERT publishes a unique line of books and learning tools designed to engage families in reading through all stages of life. DERT was founded by two brothers: an Olympia book curator, Ernesto Chavez, and a Brooklyn graphic designer, Marcos Chavez. Inspired to brand a new bookselling model by a symbol of nature (dirt) and the ethos of technical arts (design) the Chavez brothers formulated the concept of deep enhancement of reader technology known as D-E-R-T.
DERT’s philosophy is that books can do more than improve and bring meaning to our daily lives – books can also be activated further as a tool to help spread literacy in our communities. DERT is empowering the printed book to become a catalyst of social good. As a social enterprise, DERT seeks to mobilize books into fundraising tools and to activate consumers to empower literacy efforts in communities globally. This combination of objectives is actualized in the creation and selling of specially designed books — classic chapter books, short story books, children’s storybooks, and baby board books and learning tools. All designed by students with all profits donated to the cause of early childhood literacy.
DERT works with emerging (student) designers to repackage classic literary books into newly designed paperback books on a mission to make a social impact. Our collaborative studio process has actively worked with a broad range of students from around the world, to understand and re-imagine classic works of literature. Get a behind the scenes look at our a our design review with Parsons students by watching the video below.
Through our partnerships with Parsons The New School for Design, The Art Institute of New York, and The New York City College of Technology, DERT has developed both its promotional efforts and book products — gaining the insights and visualizations developed by students. DERT has also partnered with TODA, a New York City based multidisciplinary design firm in the strategy, creative direction and branding of the company. TODA has also provided professional guidance to student design projects, hosting various critiques and design fairs at their Brooklyn studio.
Buying a DERT Book, will empower DERT’s customers to become reader activists and supporters of early childhood literacy as all profits from the sales of books donated to a literacy charity.DERT has partnered with the ParentChild+. Your purchase will help fund their mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enter school ready to succeed. ParentChild+’s nationwide network of program sites provides families with the necessary skills and tools to help children achieve their greatest potential in school and in life. Watch the video below to see DERT’s fundraising drive for their newly published baby board books and learning tablet which successfully raised money for their printing.