In my thesis I examine the role and importance of social design through contemporary international and Hungarian products and projects. In the first chapter following the introduction, I present the most important milestones in the history of socially committed design, from the outset to the turn of the millennium. In the subsequent chapters, I examine the concept of social design and provide examples of its main segments, mostly from the fields of product design and architecture. First, I present products made either for people with physical and mental disability or with their involvement. In the second part, products designed with the intent of improving the situation of those in poverty are discussed. Finally, the last part focuses on the community aspects of the umbrella concept of social design that concern areas of everyday life such as home, care, work, transport and leisure and fun. Thereafter I elaborate on my project task, the subject of which is the organization of an exhibition involving the socially oriented products and projects of Hungarian contemporary design. Designers who have a sense of responsibility for society and environment contribute, through their expertise and awareness, to the improvement of people’s quality of life. I believe that it is important to give a comprehensive view of this area of design, as these initiatives could have a major impact on our present and future as well.