Summary
As experience designers, we know the ins and outs of how to design for change in a product or service: talking to end-users, interviewing subject matter experts, and then working collaboratively within a team to come up with workable solutions to the problem. The extent of the #BlackLivesMatter movement has encouraged a mixture of protest, self-reflection, and openness to learn. However, many people want to take action but don’t know how. Why not apply our skills as experience designers to approach a small, workable issue that supports equality? Join Denise Jacobs as she and a team of SMEs share stories related to the issue, so that participants can work together to share ideas and start the process of designing social change.
Key Insights
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Racism is by design, and strategies to counter it must also be by design.
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Designers have the power to create change within their organizations and communities.
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Acknowledging discomfort in conversations about race is crucial for growth and understanding.
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Diverse representation in design leads to more inclusive outcomes.
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Many individuals feel fatigued and burdened by the role of being the only voice for their community.
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Creating psychological safety in the workplace is essential for encouraging open dialogue on race.
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Performative actions in the wake of social movements can be harmful and temporary if not followed by substantial changes.
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Empathy and personal introspection are essential in understanding racial dynamics.
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Actionable change begins with the individual's commitment to addressing their biases.
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Social change requires collective action and responsibility from everyone, not just marginalized individuals.
Notable Quotes
"Racism is by design and there's no way to counter it without design."
"What would you have done in that meeting?"
"Most of the time people don't listen well; they just stay stuck at the surface."
"Social change shows up in our workspaces and work."
"I asked my allys, I appreciate your allyship when I'm in the room, but I appreciate it more when I'm not in the room."
"It's not about trying to be perfect; we are going for excellence."
"Through the rise of attention on Black Lives Matter, we are being extended an invitation to inhabit the philosophy of all for all, everyone for everyone."
"We have to challenge ourselves to make an environment where it doesn’t always fall to the marginalized person to speak up."
"Racism hurts everyone, including those who think themselves above it."
"The discomfort you feel hearing these stories is a level of discomfort we feel all the time."
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